Japanese are the easiest people to take in

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

Only a small number of books, movies and designer brand goods become best-sellers. However, it is not well known that masterminds are creating these hot-selling items behind the scenes. They never appear out in front, but in actuality, they greatly influence the daily lives of millions of citizens. Recently, Hiragana Times CIA successfully interviewed a mastermind who has created many best-selling products, and extracted some information about their techniques.

CIA: Is it actually possible to increase sales by sleight-of-hand?

MM: Of course. Regardless of the area of business, best-selling products are something made up. Movies, for instance. Actually, most movies are not that great. It is our job to make the audience believe that the movie is fantastic, and, interestingly, people usually believe the hype we create.

CIA: How do you set about doing this?

MM: First, we make a promotional video of the best scenes and show it in theaters and broadcast it on TV. At the same time, we have some professional writers write PR. No matter how boring the film, they make it sound very exciting. Their PR is circulated through the mass media, which is willing to publicize them since they can expect advertisements when the movie is released. Then, we have the movie critics write reviews. They never write anything bad since their living depends on the movie companies. At this point most movies become a topic of interest.

CIA: In this way audiences are drawn to theaters, right? But if the movie is judged to be worthless, the audience evaluation turns negative and word-of-mouth and other ripple effects aren't effective, correct?

MM: You are wrong. Further mobilization of the audience from this stage is our job. We arrange an approximately 10,000-person reaction force and ask them to write good comments on Internet message boards and send contributions to the media all at once. Then, we ask celebrities to write their impressions. They are sure to praise since they are drinking buddies and we enjoy a close business relationship with them.

CIA: How do the audience members who saw the movie react?

MM: Not surprisingly, they say the movie is wonderful. They are afraid of being seen as lacking comprehension of the movie, so they say the movie was great even if it was awful. Japanese in particular do this. Furthermore, as they want to be thought of as a trendy people, they compete with their friends to spread the word that the movie was good. Japanese people really move exactly as we plan.

CIA: Is it the same in the other fields?

MM: Books, records, fashion - basically the same trick is used. Naturally, the crazy brand consciousness of Japanese women is included. Japanese women who have no personal fashon policies are easily hooked. Consumers believe they select and buy based on their own will, but in fact they are just trapped in the masterminds scheme. This technique is imported from card magic. The card you voluntarily selected was the card you were tempted to pick by the magician.

Comment from CIA
Do you know how Hitler studied his facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice in a mirror to deceive people? The poor Germans could not see through his tricks and elected him after all. Do you still believe you are judging things based on your own will?

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

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