Mitsuhiro Tenge, an elite bureaucrat, seemed to experience a sudden turn in his life.
“…Let me get straight to the point. Chimera Syndrome, Stage 4. Metastasis is observed in other organs, starting with the liver. Your remaining lifespan is six months, at best a year…”
…I have Stage 4 Chimera Syndrome? That’s absurd!!
Today, I am working at my office in Kasumigaseki. To move and change society.
What moves society is not ideals or passion.
It’s money. Money moves Japanese society, and the world.
In other words, those who move money move the world. In Japan, those who move money are we, the Finance Bureaucrats.
“Tomabechi-kun, that deputy minister won’t understand this briefing. Please write it more clearly and concisely.”
“Yes, I thought I had lowered the level, but it was still not enough?”
“Do your research on the politicians you are briefing. He’s a politician from a backwater region, elected solely on his father’s influence and name. There’s nothing substantial about him. He’s merely a figurehead, given the title of deputy minister to add prestige because his retired father’s influence is still strong. I doubt he even understands the difference between macroeconomics and microeconomics.”
“Counselor Amakake, you are quite harsh. I will rewrite the briefing. Will tomorrow be fine?”
“Tonight. I have a meeting with Director Mizuki, so I won’t be returning here today. Make sure it can be checked by tomorrow morning. This second-generation politician himself is a dunce, but his father still has influence in politics. He’s worth riding on.”
“Yes, Counselor.”
Honestly, Tomabechi-kun isn’t useless, but I still can’t fully entrust him with tasks.
“Meetings are a dance,” is a saying that rings true.
Endless circles, mismatched discussions, and the pursuit of flimsy ministry interests. I can’t laugh at politicians for this.
It took four whole hours for the fruitless meeting to reach a semblance of a conclusion.
I gaze at the Tokyo nightscape from the corridor outside the meeting room. The dynamism that moves this brilliantly shining city, and this country, is what I have always sought.
…Is Namihei gazing at some dreary night view in a provincial city somewhere?
Ridiculous. Namihei had no ambitions or aspirations. What value is there in such an ordinary life?
If he wants to waste his one and only life, let him.
A cub doesn’t always make for a tiger; that’s a lesson learned from having a family.
Director Mizuki’s voice cut through such nonsensical retrospection.
“Tenge-kun, you’ve worked hard. Thank you for putting it all together, it’s settled for now.”
“Director Mizuki, the supplementary budget is already being deliberated in the Diet. The difficult part is yet to come.”
“Indeed, but that’s a matter for the Vice-Minister. It would be problematic to interfere too much. I hope my turn for the chair comes soon. Well, standing here talking isn’t ideal. Shall we talk over a drink, future director?”
“You jest. Of course, I would gladly join you.”
I leave the building, hail a taxi, and head to the traditional Japanese restaurant with the director. I prefer to drink alone, but this is part of the job.
The restaurant “Myojo” is an ideal place for private conversations and is frequently used by politicians.
The food and sake are excellent, but the company of a greasy superior while drinking is somewhat lacking in elegance. A missing touch of refinement?
I must focus and treat it as work.
“Tenge-kun, have you considered a career change to politics?”
“Politics, you say? You received such an offer?”
Politics, huh? I’m interested. There are all sorts of politicians, but a minority are capable, and a minister holds considerable power.
It’s the mark of a bureaucrat’s skill to effectively use politicians, but I believe I could be a minister who skillfully utilizes bureaucrats.
Moreover, what is broadly recognized as the highest authority in Japan is the one who stands above the ministers.
The path to that height will undoubtedly be arduous, but that’s precisely what makes it worthwhile.
“I was given a hint to gauge your interest. From an influential member of the ruling party.”
An invitation to move into politics. If I weren’t divorced, such an offer would have come much sooner.
“I’ve never considered it. I’ve been consumed by my work day in and day out.”
Saying I have no interest would be bad, but saying I do would also be problematic.
“I see. An election isn’t imminent, so you don’t need to decide immediately. However, depending on your decision, I will also have to consider various things.”
Naturally. I am the most useful among the director’s pawns.
A move into politics is worth considering, but I need to investigate further. Starting tomorrow, I’ll do some probing within the ruling party.
Considering stability, I should continue as a bureaucrat.
When Director Mizuki becomes Vice-Minister, the director’s position will open up to me. If I become director, I can aim for Vice-Minister.
Can I aim for above Vice-Minister by jumping into politics now?
At my age, I’m certainly considered young in politics, but my starting line is at a disadvantage compared to politicians my age from established political families.
Furthermore, the downside of politicians is that they must gain support from the masses. Can I do that?
If I could only become a sycophantic politician, it would be far better to remain a bureaucrat.
“By the way, Tenge-kun, don’t you look a little pale?”
“I’ve been overworked lately, so I must be tired.”
“Take care of yourself. Health is paramount in life. My wife recommended I start drinking black vinegar…”
While feigning interest in his trivial conversation, I weigh my bureaucratic advancement against a potential career change to politics.
My feeling that the power of a bureaucrat has limitations is a recent development, as the pinnacle has become a tangible reality.
If I seek greater power, I have no choice but to become a politician.
And if I am to transition to politics, it must be now. Only now, in my prime.
However, if I continue as a bureaucrat, the position of Vice-Minister is not an impossible dream.
But if I reach the highest office as a politician, its authority would be incomparable to that of a Vice-Minister.
…To greater heights, with more formidable authority, to change this society. Should I consider the transition?
…But dreams that cannot be realized have no value. Sentimental platitudes that dreams are valuable just by dreaming them exist only within fleeting pop songs that disappear within a year.
Bureaucrat or politician, which path is the right one?
The next morning, I wake up as usual, take a shower, and head to Kasumigaseki from my home in Tokyo.
On the train commute, I feel a dull ache in my stomach.
Yesterday, I drank with Director Mizuki until late at night.
I’m not as young as I used to be; perhaps I should pay more attention to my health.
I undergo a comprehensive medical examination only once a year, but that alone isn’t enough to guarantee complete well-being.
I’ve seen many politicians lose their positions due to health concerns. If I’m to transition to politics, good health is an essential requirement.
Perhaps it’s time to change my lifestyle habits.
I wonder if the black vinegar Director Mizuki started drinking is effective. Setting black vinegar aside, I’ve seen many suspicious health foods and devices lately.
Are the people at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare doing their jobs properly? It’s doubtful.
As I ponder these thoughts, I arrive at Kasumigaseki. It’s time for work.
“Yes, this much is sufficient. If you had done this from the start, we wouldn’t have had to do it twice.”
“I apologize. It seems I still require Counselor Amakake’s guidance.”
Hmph, such transparent flattery. He’s aiming for a promotion by being helped by me, isn’t he?
“By the way, regarding the international conference next week… but… GAH!”
“Counselor Amakake, what’s wrong!?”
“…Is it indigestion… I suppose. My stomach hurts a little. I think it’s from drinking too much yesterday…”
“You should go to the hospital soon. Starting next week, there’s the international conference. You won’t have time to see a doctor if you’re swamped again.”
That’s right. Tomabechi could probably handle my schedule from noon today.
It might be a good opportunity to see how far he can go.
It could be a good chance to gauge how much I can expect from him and where my expectations are unwarranted.
“Tomabechi-kun will be covering my schedule from noon today. I’m going to a hospital run by a university friend of mine.”
“Yes, Counselor Amakake, leave it to me!”
He seems quite enthusiastic. Let’s see what he can do.
I’ve always had a soft spot for him. Don’t disappoint me?
Kyouseikai Hospital, one of Japan’s leading medical zaibatsu with numerous large hospitals nationwide.
Amemiya, who belongs to the family managing this institution, is a fellow alumnus from university, though in a different faculty, and we still maintain a decent relationship.
Amemiya likely calculates that associating with me, a rising star among Finance Bureaucrats, is beneficial.
Since I’m sacrificing valuable time, I might as well get a thorough check-up.
I haven’t paid much attention to my health before.
Although I hadn’t made a reservation, Amemiya managed to accommodate me with his name.
Amemiya is currently the head of surgery at this hospital; he holds quite a prestigious position.
With status and success promised to him from birth, he’s quite different from me, born the son of a mere Shinto priest.
Unlike Amemiya, I reached here solely through my own efforts. However, my association with Amemiya might not have been in vain.
If I seriously consider a career change to politics, I’ll need money. Amemiya has money, or rather, he has votes too.
While contemplating this, I continue to work on my tablet.
“Mitsuhiro Tenge-san, please come in.”
Called by a nurse, I enter the examination room. They expect me, a busy man, to wait for quite some time.
In the examination room, Amemiya, who has likely gained ten kilos compared to his university days, is looking at a medical chart with a dispirited expression.
“Doctors often neglect their own health.” Isn’t he the one who should be focusing on preventative care rather than examining others?
“Tenge, you’re divorced, aren’t you? Are you still in contact with your wife?”
“Why would I be? I haven’t even called her since the divorce.”
“And your son? How is Namihei-kun, who used to play with my son so often?”
“He went to some regional university. I haven’t seen him in about two years.”
Amemiya wears a look of utter disbelief. He’s always been a man whose emotions show easily on his face. How can he possibly be a doctor?
“Tenge… you don’t even know which university Namihei-kun is attending? He’s your only son!”
He’s as meddlesome as ever. I didn’t come here to discuss my family.
…Now that I’m considering a career change to politics, I can’t dismiss him rudely. Amemiya is still a man with potential use.
“…Somewhere in the Kansai region, I believe. The address for his allowance was a regional bank in Kansai.”
“I thought as much… What do you think of your family?”
Is he trying to brag about his son getting into medical school? The only thing he has over me is his son’s achievements!
…My emotions, which I usually control, are inexplicably out of control today.
What is this unidentifiable sense of anxiety?!
“…Enough about Namihei. Please do not interfere in other people’s families.”
“Your mother passed away already, didn’t she. What happened to your father who disappeared?”
…Hey, why is my family related to my test results… No… Could it be!
“My father is still missing! …Amemiya! Tell me the results of the test!!”
Unable to bear it any longer, I shouted. Dark clouds rapidly gather in my mind.
…Amemiya’s plump face appears to me like an ominous Grim Reaper.
“…Understood. If your family situation is like that, I will inform you directly. …Let me get straight to the point. Chimera Syndrome, Stage 4. Metastasis is observed in other organs, starting with the liver. Your remaining lifespan is six months, at best a year…”
[Afterword]
Chimera Syndrome is a fictional illness. I wrote it as a real illness but changed it. It was the hardest decision I’ve made, but I felt there was something more important than realism. This work is far removed from realism to begin with.
The discussions about the bureaucracy and politics are also vague, and the story of Mitsuhiro Tenge proceeds with unnatural developments; please consider this a case of convenience. I am writing this with the understanding that there are inconsistencies and deviations from reality. Please think of it as fictional Japan.
What is definitely strange is the way the diagnosis is delivered. Normally, a diagnosis would be secretly conveyed to the family without the patient’s realization, but because Dr. Amemiya was certain of Kōhei’s estranged relationship with his family, this is how the conversation unfolds.
I’m posting this between packing for a move.
I should have just hired the moving company, like “Ari-san” or “Zou-san.”
