Tokyo, Japan. As new internet technologies show promising returns, the world seems to be heading towards strong economic growth. Yet many economists warn that this bubble could burst, echoing what happened in Japan’s real estate and stock markets in early 1992. A team of mathematicians at the University of Tokyo led by Professor Takeshi Goda has developed a mathematical model of market design that they claim will secure Japan’s economic growth and sustainability.

Continued on p. 7

25 Hunting the Giant

CHAPTER 25

HUNTING THE GIANT

The middle-aged man in the photograph had greying hair. There were wrinkle lines around his eyes and mouth. People probably said he was the fatherly type — a little old-fashioned, but in a good way. How would someone like him sound on the phone?

‘His voice was low,’ Mizuki had told Shoji. ‘I like men with deep voices.’

Mizuki had also said that she had never seen him, yet she had confidently confessed she was in love. She was probably infatuated with her imagined version of him. She’d been lonely in New York. She must have constructed her perfect man and fitted it to him. If Mr Goda were horrendous looking, would that change anything?

‘He’s the head of the maths department at the University of Tokyo,’ Yoshioka said, leaning against the partition next to Shoji’s desk. ‘He often travels overseas for seminars.’

Shoji continued to look at the photograph. ‘A big shot?’

‘In his field, yes.’ Yoshioka crossed his arms. ‘He used to be based in New York, but he returned to Japan ten years ago, in 1990.’

Shoji’s attention shifted to the business card. ‘How did you manage to get this?’

‘A friend of mine works in academic journals. It was helpful that you told me he could be a mathematics professor. Once I had that information, everything became easier.’

‘I’m lucky my friend in New York came across an article about him,’ Shoji said, making a mental note to thank Eri. She had called him after coming across his name in a finance magazine. ‘But I’m impressed you managed to obtain his business card too.’

‘I told you, this job is all about making contacts. It would help you, Arai,’ Yoshioka said. ‘But if I’d known he was a professor, I could have found this information so much faster.’

‘I didn’t know either. I thought he was just a teacher.’ Shoji turned to Yoshioka. ‘Thank you for this. I appreciate it.’

‘Don’t mention it,’ his senior replied, returning to his new desk. Yoshioka had been promoted to Chief Editor the week before.

Shoji stared at the business card in his hand.

Takeshi Goda

University of Tokyo

Head of Mathematics