Don't mean to double post but the thought just hit me.
Mulling over the $2 million goal and how that makes sense. Also thought of the statement that they also have 'outside funding' as well. Then it occurred to me. This is a down payment for a venture loan.
I've been saying for the course of over 10 years here, if Yu can't get funding for the game it's not going to happen. Lenders have to be convinced they'll get their money back with interest. Back in the credit crisis I said 'well that's it folks, this will never happen now'. Several years later now credit is coming by easier and easier. You can see it on TV the loan commercials.
So I remembered how I got my mortgage. I had to put a percentage down as a down payment for the loan. The requirement for the loan for Shenmue was to obtain the 2 million to get let's say 20 million (10% down). Everything above the 2 mill is either icing on the cake for other things (stretch goals), or for a bigger loan. That's got to be what he's doing here. It aligns with the past statements.
So what happens if Yu can't pay back the loan? No problem! Just bankrupt Ys-Net and form another company! Companies do this all the time.