Hanzawa Naoki (半沢直樹)

For causing a 500-million yen loan mishap,

Osaka Nishi Branch of Tokyo Chuo Bank

was subjected to a discretionary on-site inspection by Headquarters.

However, that was a malicious scheme plotted by

Manager Asano in order to shift all responsibility to Hanzawa.

Hanzawa saw through the underhanded tactics of Ogiso, who was an inspector,

and somehow managed to overcome the on-site inspection.

And in exchange for leaking the information on

the loan mishap to the media,

Hanzawa finally ascertained Higashida's hideout.

However, who should appear there but...

Sounds like a good piece of real estate but it's rather pricey.

Beat them down as much as you can.

Get it done right. I'm counting on you.

Branch Manager Asano Tadasu

Higashida's mistress Fujisawa Miki

Nishi Osaka Steel President Higashida Mitsuru

Sounds like your new venture in Vietnam's progressing smoothly.

There's bound to be an ever-increasing demand for specialty steel.

Although I can't do it openly in view of

the Taxation Bureau and the personal bankruptcy.

I fully intend to make it big again.

Why don't you join me, Ta-chan?

I'll pay you more than you're getting now.

I'm still on track for an elite career at a mega-bank.

I have no intention of abandoning that career.

Then you'd better watch out.

For that Hanzawa dude.

Don't worry.

Now that this article's come out,

the top won't remain silent.

At the next board of directors' meeting,

an official decision will be made on Hanzawa's disposition.

There's no way he can get out of this

anymore.

I got beat up pretty good by this guy too.

This is Asano's personal history that was in the bank's personnel file.

And this is President Higashida's personal history that's been made public.

Umeda Daiichi Middle School.

Umeda Daiichi Middle School...You're right! They attended the same middle school.

But how did you know Asano lived here during his middle school years?

There's a very capable detective in our family.

Apparently, Manager Asano's originally from Osaka.

He attended a middle school near here.

What's more, they were even in the same grade.

Which means they knew each other since middle school

President of the now bankrupt Takeshita Kogyo Takeshita Kiyohiko

and they're connected in the background.

If you think of it that way, everything falls into place.

Why Nishi Osaka Steel suddenly decided to

do business with us, why Asano tried to

force through the 500-million yen loan.

Perhaps the window dressing and intentional bankruptcy

weren't Higashida's idea, but

something Asano put him up to.

Asano knew that we were getting deceived out of that 500 million

from the very start.

Headquarters Loan Section Tomari Shinobu

And he had already decided to put that blame on you.

- But, Tomaru-han. - It's Tomari.

Tomari-han... Why would he take

such a risk for a classmate?

More than likely, in order to receive some kind of kickback,

Asano took the risk.

But there's no proof. That picture alone isn't enough.

If he says he just got together with his classmate, that's the end of story.

That's right. Hanzawa-han, what shall we do?

Until now, I felt responsible as a banker for

failing to recognize the window dressing.

So after doing everything within my power,

I was prepared to accept any punishment in the end.

But not anymore.

Asano crossed the line as a banker.

I won't let him get away with it.

I'll make sure I find the evidence

and drag the bastard down.

If they screw you, they get double payback...right?

No.

It's 10 times the payback.

We determined that 100 million is the appropriate amount for Hagimoto Unyu's new loan.

Fine. Submit the request for approval.

However, for the foreseeable future, Ejima-kun

will have concurrent duties as Loan Section Chief.

Hanzawa-kun, as far as new loans go,

please step aside for a while.

What do you mean?

While it's true there was misconduct on

Ogiso-kun's part at the last discretionary on-site inspection,

I understand upper management is deliberating if the problem doesn't lie with you too

for bringing on the situation.

Pray tell what my problem is.

Don't you even understand something like that?

What's more, because some trashy magazine found out about it,

our branch is currently being viewed with critical eyes by the public.

There's no way I can continue to entrust you,

the very cause of the problem, with any kind of work.

As far as this loan is concerned,

I don't recall doing anything to warrant a punishment.

That attitude is the problem, is what I'm saying!

It's obvious I'm wasting my breath on you.

Assistant Manager, the next agenda topic, please.

Next, Kakuta. The additional loan of 50 million to Sakaishi Kogyo.

Sakaishi Kogyo is in the process of...

You two look very close. How much kickback did you get for the 500 million? Hana

Is something wrong, Manager?

No...it's nothing.

What's the outlook for collecting the loan?

Wakaike Shoji, who we've been doing business with for a long time, is a company in good standing,

and Sakaishi Kogyou's performance is rising steadily.

We don't foresee any problems.

All right. Next...

We were photographed together?

Yes, looks like someone snuck a camera shot of us meeting yesterday.

Any idea who this Hana is?

I have no idea, but it's probably an alias. However, being that she has my e-mail address,

my guess is it's someone relatively close to me...

Are you sure it isn't Hanzawa?

Even if it was him,

you just keep your head held high.

What's the problem with two classmates meeting, I say.

If you run scared, you're gonna get tripped up!

I know.

What's wrong?

Nothing!

Well, well. I'm surprised you found me here.

We followed you from your place.

- My place? - Komura-san was kind enough to tell us.

- That old geezer... - Higashida.

- How much do you have stashed away? - I don't know what you're talking about.

Inflating payments, tax evasion, 500 million from our bank.

Estimating roughly, more than 1 billion?

Looks like I nailed it.

- The hiding place of your hidden assets... - Stop right there!

If you don't stop your jabbering,

I'm gonna report you to the police.

You're the one who's getting reported.

Attorney Katayama Hironori

I'm pleased to tell you

I applied to declare bankruptcy.

Persist attempts to collect from me in the future

will be considered illegal. You'd better be watch out.

You've got tons of money. There's no way they'd recognize your bankruptcy!

I'm protected by the law.

Don't ever show that sleazy face

in front of me again!

- What did you say? Hey! - Takeshita-san.

Declared himself bankrupt? The impertinence!

But now

the bank can't openly interfere either.

Don't we have the permission to search yet?

We need more conclusive evidence, otherwise we may get sued...

Every one of you,

will you quit shrinking in fear!

Ah, damn. Hanzawa-han.

You're not planning to drop the matter, are you?

- What the heck are you doing? - Takeshita-san.

- Have you ever seen this logo? - What is this?

It was on the box of tissues in Higashida's car.

It might be the logo of a financial institution, don't you think?

Like those promotional goods banks pass out to their customers?

Yes. I'd recognize it right away if it was a major regional or city bank, but

I've never seen this logo before. Maybe it's a credit union.

Wait a minute. Why would

Higashida do business with a place like that?

That may be where he has his hidden account.

- What?! - But I have no proof.

- It's just a gut feeling. - No.

It's not just a gut feeling.

It's your gut feeling as a banker.

Okay, leave that to me.

- I'll go check them all out one by one. - Thanks.

I'll try to find out what kind of a kickback Asano was getting from Higashida.

Hanzawa-han, this is a critical point for us.

I'm working on a side job from tomorrow.

- Side job? - That's right.

It's only for a week, but my senpai who lives here asked me if I wanted to do it.

- Floral design? - No, it isn't.

It's just clerical work. They're shorthanded.

Why? Do you need the money?

Not especially, but...

Why not?

I mean,

I can understand if it's floral design work that you enjoy, but

if it's not, I don't see why you need to work.

Can't a housewife work if there's no reason?

That's why bankers are hopeless.

Women assigned to main career track positions at the bank

are still less than 1 percent of men, right?

Deciding who does or doesn't get the loan for the convenience of men.

Do you really understand how working women feel?

What do you mean, for the convenience of men?

Don't worry, I'll do the housework as always.

It's just a side job. Let me do as I please. Fix your own dinner.

Why is she so mad?

"Higashida-san and I were classmates in middle school."

"Beyond that, we don't have any association."

"I don't know who you are, but you seem to be misunderstanding something."

If you send me any more false unwanted e-mail,

I'll report you to the police.

I knew you'd say that.