Official Website
www4.nhk.or.jp/P5822

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 30 June 2019

Network
NHK BS Premium

Story
Shimoochiai Gin is a baby sitter who dresses like an English lady even though he is a man. A professional certified by the Royal British Association for Nannies, the eccentric Gin brings love to angst-filled parents and children. Ignoring the opposition of his younger sister Mimiko, who is the CEO of Shimoochiai Poppins Club, he pushes ahead in this line of work. One day, Mimiko receives a phone call from Oka Kumiko. Kumiko is raising a six-month old son Naoya and lives with her husband Makoto, who even has a reputation in the neighbourhood for his good looks. Makoto’s mother Yachiyo is a well-known author of books on raising children and advocates “happy parenting”. However, Kumiko is exhausted from child-rearing. Gin comes to visit her and also confronts Makoto who does not understand his wife’s worries. Gin supports Kumiko both emotionally and physically, and she gradually begins to feel refreshed.

Characters
Ohno Takuro as Shimoochiai Gin
A babysitter of Shimoochiai Poppins Club, he dresses like an English lady. He is full of maternal love and struggles with troubled parents and children every day. He feels that babysitting is his calling and wears female clothing to make his work easier.

Yuriyan Retriever as Shimoochiai Mimiko
Shimoochiai Gin’s younger sister. The Shimoochiais used to control a conglomerate but the mansion is all that now remains of the family’s assets and they try to maintain a steady income by starting a baby sitting business. However, she is troubled that it is not getting off the ground.

Takahashi Hitomi as Kamioka Yachiyo
The mother-in-law of Oka Kumiko who is having trouble with raising her baby son. A well-known expert in raising children, she advocates “happy parenting”. She has made many appearances on television and written many books. She regards Shimoochiai Gin with hostility.

Ryu Raita as Nakatsugawa Ryunosuke
The Shimoochiai family’s butler. Although he laments about Shimoochiai Gin, the heir of the family, being a baby sitter, he assists Gin through his extensive network time and again.

Scriptwriters
Izumisawa Yoko (Dairenai, Itsumade mo Shiroi Hane, Lunch no Akko-san)
Shimada Ureha (Diary, Zenryoku Shissou, Sumika Sumire)

Original Work
Baby Sitter Gin! by Yamato Waki

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Official Website
www.ytv.co.jp/danshare

Broadcast
From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 4 July 2019

Network
NTV

Story
Career woman Morishita Harumi is divorced and has a 12-year-old daughter Saki. She has been living happily with Amaya Kyohei, who is the son of some family that runs a conglomerate, since six years ago even though theirs is a common-law marriage. Although Harumi and Kyohei see each other every day, they are practically never together the whole time. She believes that this kind of married life suits them. One day, the police notify her that Kyohei was brought to a hospital unconscious. When Harumi rushes to the hospital, he is already in a critical condition. Then two other women claiming to be his wives, Ogura Kanako and Fujimiya Akane, turn up. While the three wives panic to see each other, Kyohei draws his last breath. Harumi, Kanako and Akane are stunned by this situation beyond their wildest imagination. The three of them are informed by the detective Tsukamoto Miho, who is an old acquaintance of Kyohei’s, that he was murdered by someone. This shocks them and they get into an argument over who is his real wife. Furthermore, the three of them end up living together because of his will. A shocking fact becomes known. He will leave 300 million yen to only one wife. Who is the person he loved the most?

Characters
Koike Eiko as Morishita Harumi
A single mother and career woman who is a force to be reckoned with at the food company where she is a director. She lives with her 12-year-old daughter Saki in a high-rise apartment building. A gutsy woman who is called a “carnivore” at the company, she is good at her job and admired by her juniors. She threw herself into her job and worked her way up to her current position for the sake of herself and Saki. She is too dedicated to her work. When she was feeling down about her relationship with her daughter, her job as well as interpersonal relationships, which were not going very well, she meets the mysterious Amaya Kyohei who later became her husband. Although she is self-assured and does not show her weaknesses, he sees through everything and she can behave like a different person in front of him. She is happiest being with him right now.

Ryo as Ogura Kanako
A single mother who lives with her son Toru, a junior high school student who is a gamer with the ambition to be an esports player. She is a stoic and vivacious person. But before this, she used to be reserved, think negatively and always looked gloomy. Then she met her husband Amaya Kyohei. She became a confident, cheerful person thanks to him – capable of living life the way she likes. She is now a popular personal trainer who is called a charismatic beauty. She has complete faith in Kyohei who even gives her career advice. Although her relationship with him is a common-law marriage, she tells the people around her that they are married. Because she often brags about her husband, she is perceived to have the ideal marriage.

Okamoto Rei as Fujimiya Akane
A single mother who works as a childcare teacher and is bring up a naughty twin boy and girl. She has a good sense of balance in work. She is attractive and well-liked by both men and women for her gentle and kind personality. Because she abhors conflicts she will sneak out of a place when any trouble occurs. Many men hit on her since she does not wear a wedding ring. However, she will tell them that she is married. She is indifferent to her colleagues who point out that hers is probably a common-law marriage as she trusts her husband Amaya Kyohei who loves children. She dearly loves and relies on Kyohei who is well-educated and also knowledgeable.

Akaso Eiji as Matsuda Hideaki
He was hired by Someya Fumie to investigate who asked for Amaya Kyohei to be killed, and does the chores at the shared house. He is one of the men who murdered Kyohei and fled from the crime scene. Kyohei entrusted him with something before he died. He meets Kyohei’s three common-law wives and begins to come to terms with who he really is.

Kuroki Keiji as Mori Yusaku
A vicious criminal who has taken on numerous crimes through a dark site including abduction, robberies and murders. He had a direct hand in Amaya Kyohei’s death. He is also seems connected to the unsolved Kita Kamiyacho murder case. He threatens Matsuda Hideaki who works at the shared house and attempts to seize the 3 million yen but his actual interest turns out to be Kyohei. He has a good grasp of depth psychology as well as behavioural psychology, and is a psychopath who gets a thrill out of toying with people’s minds.

Watanabe Makiko as Tsukamoto Miho
An assistant inspector at Sumida Police Precinct who is pursuing Amaya Kyohei’s murder case. She became acquainted with Kyohei at a yakitori shop where they are regulars. She had been doing well in her work as someone on the career track. However, she was called a traitor for exposing the misdeeds of her superior and lost her place in the organisation. She was eventually transferred to a police precinct, and worked her way up after that. She has to square off with Kyohei’s wives – Morishita Harumi, Ogura Kanako and ujimiya Akane – as well as two men connected to the unsolved murder case – Mori Yusaku and Matsuda Hideaki.

Hirayama Hiroyuki as Amaya Kyohei
A man wrapped in lies and mystery. He had common-law marriages with three women. One day, he ended up being killed and the reason for his way of life remained unknown.

Natsuki Mari as Someya Fumie
The manager of the shared house. She is about to come into possession of the property two months after his death as stipulated in his will. She is an important person who holds the key to the story. Her emotions are intense and the average person probably cannot understand her. However, she occasionally shows flashes of warmth and proves not to be an eccentric person. She plays the role of the person who will determine which of Kyohei’s three wives are worthy to inherit the 300 million yen according to his will.

Scriptwriters
Nishi Kosuke (Zettai Seigi, Napoleon no Mura, Mozu Series)
Miura Kisa (Ghost Town, Kodaikei no Hitobito)
Honda Takaaki (Silent Voice, Daishou, Retake)

© jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/asagao

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 8 July 2019

Network
Fuji TV

Story
Maki Asagao is a rookie forensic pathologist who works at Kouun University’s Department of Forensic Medicine in Kanagawa Prefecture. She lives with her father Taira, a veteran detective who is always by her side. However, her mother Satoko has not been around since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 when she returned to her hometown along the coast of Tohoku where she grew up in order to meet her father Shimada Hiroyuki. This sorrow has given Asagao an unshakeable conviction as a forensic doctor to never allow a death to go unidentified. One day, when Asagao gets to work, lab technician Todo Emi and forensic odontologist Takahashi Ryosuke are excitedly gossiping about the detective who has transferred to Nogeyama Police Precinct’s investigation unit looking like a Hollywood star. Emi even says that she wants Asagao’s boyfriend Kuwahara Shinya, a rookie detective in the same unit, to confirm this. At the same moment, the members of the unit at Nogeyama Police Precinct are dying with curiosity to find out what kind of detective will come. Then Taira arrives. They are alerted that a woman has died in a warehouse within Nogeyama Police Precinct’s jurisdiction. Taira immediately heads out to the scene and Kuwahara is ordered to go with him. They are informed by the medical examiner that an autopsy is necessary to know the full details. As Nogeyama Police Precinct has jurisdiction over Kouun University, the police will bring any dead bodies found to the department where Asagao works. Taira and Kuwahara soon arrive at the Department of Forensic Medicine with the body. Asagao is surprised to learn for the first time about her father’s transfer to Nogeyama Police Precinct. Her boyfriend Kuwahara is even more surprised to find out that Taira is her father. So Asagao now has to work with her father.

Characters
Ueno Juri as Maki Asagao
A rookie forensic pathologist who works at Kouun University’s Department of Forensic Medicine. Although she is still a novice, she possesses outstanding skills and a wealth of knowledge that has earned her the respect of the people around her. She is a loving, compassionate and sincere young woman who cares more about others than herself. However, she not only lost her mother Satoko in the Great East Japan Earthquake but continues to feel raw grief that the body has never been found. This sorrow has given her an unshakeable conviction as a forensic doctor to never allow a death to go unidentified. She will whisper “Please tell me” in front of a body before carrying out an autopsy, and is more determined and sincere than anyone else when facing it. The truth that is found occasionally exposes crime or heals the grief of bereaved families. The dead bodies talk to Asagao, conveying their final thoughts to her.

Tokito Saburo as Maki Taira
Maki Asagao’s father. A veteran detective. He is even more serious than his daughter. As long as there is a 1% possibility of a clue, he will thoroughly investigate even the most trivial details and will not give up on getting information even though his legs have gone stiff. Whenever he has time to spare, he will head to the Tohoku region to continue his search for the body of his wife who has been missing since the Great East Japan Earthquake just like any investigation. One day, he is unexpectedly transferred to Nogeyama Police Precinct which has jurisdiction over Kouun University.

Kazama Shunsuke as Kuwahara Shinya
Maki Asagao’s boyfriend. A rookie detective belongs to Nogeyama Police Precinct’s homicide investigation unit where Maki Taira recently transferred to, after working at a police box for a long time. He has been dating Asagao since his time at the police box and it has always been his dream to become a detective. He has a strong sense of justice and is a modest young man but also a coward and prone to worrying. He is partnered with Taira. He feels a pain in his stomach every day to be with his superior who may become his father-in-law. After he learns about Asagao’s mother, he cries as if this incident happened to him and starts to emotionally connect with father and daughter with his good nature and warmth.

Shida Mirai as Yasuoka Mitsuko
A part-timer who serves as a forensic assistant. She applied just for the hourly pay and has no interest in forensic medicine. She says what she thinks without reading the situation. At first, Maki Asagao and the rest give in to her. However, she gradually changes as she interacts with them but … …

Yamaguchi Tomoko as Natsume Chako
The senior professor of Kouun University’s Department of Forensic Medicine. She takes pride in her work and never forgets that in the shadow of one death, lies the grief of many. Her motto is “death may come tomorrow”. An elusive woman of many mysteries, she behaves without inhibition. At the same time, she understands Maki Asagao the most. She is the person who inspired Asagao to become a forensic pathologist and is also the one Asagao whom trusts the most. Given her long friendship with Asagao’s father Taira, she is like an encouraging older sister to the family.

Ishida Hikari as Maki Satoko
Maki Asagao’s mother. Asagao got her loving, kindhearted nature from her. She was gentle and the sunshine of the family with her playful humour. However, she became a victim of the Great East Japan Earthquake while she was returning to her hometown along the coast of Tohoku with Asagao. She remains missing to this day.

Emoto Akira as Shimada Hiroyuki
Maki Satoko’s father. Although he never had a sunny personality, there have been times since the Great East Japan Earthquake when he gets far too quiet as if he is depressed. However, his granddaughter Asagao is the apple of his eye. He does not appear to like Taira who comes to the Tohoku region to search for Satoko’s body.

Scriptwriter
Nemoto Nonji (Fruits Takuhaibin, Ten Tenhodori no Kaidanji, Izakaya Fuji)

Original Work
Kansatsui Asagao by Kagawa Masahito

Click here for photos from the press conference.

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Official Website
www.tbs.co.jp/noside_game_tbs

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 7 July 2019

Network
TBS

Story
Kimijima Hayato, a mid-level salaryman who works in the corporate strategy office of the headquarters of a large manufacturer Tokiwa Motors, is said to be leading the field of candidates for an executive position. He lives happily with his wife Maki and their two sons Hiroto and Naoto. However, one day, Kimijima is relegated to be the administrative manager of a regional plant as a result of opposing a major M&A deal pushed by his boss Takigawa Keiichiro. This transfer is against his wishes but this is also the fate of a salaryman. A disconsolate Kimijima takes up his position at the plant after a pep talk from Maki. On his first day, he is introduced by Sakura Tae, an employee of the general affairs department, to Tokiwa Motors’ rugby team Astros including the captain Kishiwada Toru. Kimijima is ordered to double as the general manager of Astros. Established with CEO Shimamoto Hiroshi’s help, Astros was once a mighty team. However, the team has been mired in a slump and drained an enormous 1.4 billion yen, resulting in whispers that it is the company’s burden. None of the members are keen on Kimijima who lacks knowledge and experience in rugby. However, like Kimijima, who has no hope for career advancement, they have their backs to the wall. Kimijima begins his battle to make a comeback with the struggling rugby team. Saimon Takuma who has experience coaching university rugby clubs is invited to be the coach of Astros, and becomes his partner in rebuilding the team.

Characters
Oizumi Yo as Kimijima Hayato
The administrative manager of Tokiwa Motors’ Fuchu plant and general manager of Astros. As as an elite employee, he has built a successful career over 25 years. However, he was transferred from headquarters to this plant for opposing the M&A deal pushed by his boss Takigawa Keiichiro. He is also ordered to be the general manager of Astros which has drained the company of 1.4 billion.

Matsu Takako as Kimijima Maki
Kimijima Hayato’s wife and mother of 8-year-old and 10-year-old sons. A cheerful optimist. While she understands her husband the most, she will not let him get too depressed and instead encourages him that it is not that big a deal. Like Kimijima, she will object to anything unreasonable or wrong no matter who the other party is.

Saigo Teruhiko as Shimamoto Hiroshi
The CEO of Tokiwa Motors. His family founded the company which has a history of 120 years. He has a great love of rugby and he supported the establishment of the platinum league which is the top league for non-professional teams sponsored by companies. He decided to set up Astros and join the league. He is the only person who is supportive of the team which has been described within the company as a burden for posting an annual deficit of 1.4 billion.

Otani Ryohei as Saimon Takuma
Astros’ coach who comes from the well-known Jonan University rugby club. Although he is a man of few words, he quietly burns with fighting spirit and is fixated on winning. He displays penetrating insight, deeper consideration for the team and overwhelming passion than anyone else. He has a past connection with Kimijima Hayato. He pushes through numerous reforms to make Astros win.

Nakamura Shikan as Kazama Yuya
The third-generation CEO of Kazama Trading. He is the man involved in the M&A deal that got Kimijima Hayato transferred to a regional plant. He has some agenda and his presence soon begins to shake up the whole of Tokiwa Motors.

Watanabe Hiroyuki as Tsuda Saburo
A high-profile alumni of Jonan University which is famous for its rugby. He is the great commander of the Cyclones, the champion of the platinum league. A central figure of Japan’s rugby world who is known to everyone. He is the person responsible for Saimon Takuma’s dismissal as Jonan University’s rugby club’s coach. He respects tradition and deeply loathes Saimon who has pushed through reforms and trampled on tradition.

Kamikawa Takaya as Takigawa Keiichiro
The managing director and sales chief of Tokiwa Motors. A man on the fast track, he is regarded as a candidate to be the next CEO. He has an imposing presence and a way with words, and is viewed with awe within the company. He considers Kimijima Hayato who opposed the M&A deal that he raised as his nemesis and begins hostilities.

Scriptwriter
Ushio Kentaro (Shitamachi Rocket Season 2, Black Pean, Chiisana Kyojin)

Original Work
No Side Game by Ikeido Jun

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• No Side Game Introduction

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Official Website
www.tbs.co.jp/Heaven_tbs

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 9 July 2019

Network
TBS

Story
Iga Kan has been working at a French restaurant. He is serious and inflexible. Because he cannot even smile for the sake of customer service, both his colleagues and customers have a low opinion of him. However, a mysterious woman named Kurosu Kanako, who has a high regard for him, shows up. She scouts Iga for the French restaurant that she is going to open soon. “My staff need to have originality. You’ll certainly be a great waiter,” she tells him. Iga is moved by her words and decides to work at her restaurant. But this restaurant is located in a cemetery far from train stations, shopping districts and even residential areas. Furthermore, the employees that Kanako has assembled are all novices – the simple-minded Kawai Taichi, a former trainee hairdresser; Tsutsumi Keitaro, a manager of a beef bowl shop for five years; Yamagata Shigeomi, a retired banker who is a qualified sommelier – with no prior experience at a French restaurant with the exception of the talented but unfortunate chef Ozawa Yukio, who worked at restaurants that all subsequently closed down. Why has Kanako brought them together and will the restaurant be able to open without incident?

Characters
Ishihara Satomi as Kurosu Kanako
The eccentric owner of Loin d’ici. She is both emotionally and physically strong. She never hesitates and is always positive. While she may come across as a selfish person who has no consideration for others, she does not hide anything and just gets to the heart of the matter. She often acts on what comes to mind and twists people around. But this ultimately produces good results in the end. She appears to speak appropriately. However, flashes of her words really touch the hearts of the employees because they are her true feelings.

Fukushi Sota as Iga Kan
A senior waiter at Loin d’ici. He is a serious young man who cannot even smile for the sake of customer service. As a result, he had a low standing at the previous restaurant where he worked. However, he was highly regarded by Kurosu Kanako who came as a customer, and she scouted him. Although he constantly endures hardships such as redirecting the individualist employees of the restaurant when they run wild, he feels comforted to be needed by everyone. He is terrible at anything close to an exam and because of the trauma from the university entrance exam.

Shison Jun as Kawai Taichi
An assistant waiter at Loin d’ici. A former trainee hairdresser who decided to change jobs because he was sick of shampooing hair, he has no experience working in a restaurant. Although he is cheerful and always smiles, he does not have good memory and is not particularly competent. However, he is somehow impossible to hate. He is fashionable and attuned to social media. He becomes attached to Iga Kan.

Katsumura Masanobu as Tsutsumi Keitaro
The restaurant manager of Loin d’ici. However, he has no experience in French cuisine as he worked at a beef bowl shop in his previous job. He gets swayed by the outrageous Kurosu Kanako’s restaurant policy and struggles with the restaurant’s operations. Because he is cowardly and anything but a restaurant manager, he panics and has to turn to Iga Kan for help whenever any trouble occurs. He runs the restaurant to the best of his ability with small-scale savings and ordinary planning ability. The beef bowl serves as the benchmark for converting things. He is very unpretentious.

Danta Yasunori as Ozawa Yukio
The chef of Loin d’ici. A genius with a wealth of experience and skills, he has even worked at a three-star Michelin restaurant but all the restaurants that he was employed at somehow went out of business. He was scouted by Kurosu Kanako who said she wanted to eat delicious food to her heart’s content, after he won her favour. However, he has a secret that he cannot tell anyone. He is a worrier and when he gets discouraged, his food has little taste. But he is respected by his apprentices, Tsukikawa Yohei and Takato Daichi.

Kishibe Ittoku as Yamagata Shigeomi
The sommelier of Loin d’ici. A retired banker. Although he has no experience in French cuisine, he works at the restaurant to get qualified as a sommelier because he is into qualifications. He is a crafty and mischievous character who often uses the fact that he is an elderly man to wheedle people and have an easy life. He initially earns the respect of Kurosu Kanako as a person able to express dissent. However, Iga Kan gradually replaces that position.

Tachi Hiroshi as Mysterious gentleman
A mysterious gentleman who seems to hold the key to the story. But what is his true identity?

Scriptwriter
Yoshida Erika (Hana Nochi Hare, Dansui)

Original Work
Heaven? Gokuraku Restaurant by Sasaki Noriko

Click here for photos from the press conference.

Related Post:

• Heaven? Gokuraku Restaurant CM

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Official Website
www.ntv.co.jp/gisouhurin

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 10 July 2019

Network
NTV

Story
32-year-old Hama Shoko has never had a serious relationship and lives with her parents, older sister Yoko and Yoko’s husband Kenji. Nothing has come out of an arduous three-year search for a marriage partner, but gossip swarming around about affairs. On the day that her temporary employee contract with her workplace ends, Shoko resolves to stop looking for a husband since marriage has no meaning if everyone is fooling around. Meanwhile, Shoko’s older sister Yoko is a career woman. She got married to the perfect man three years ago despite being seemingly plain-looking and strait-laced, and has been leading a happy married life. She accuses Shoko of travelling by herself again as Shoko starts packing for a solo trip to celebrate the end of her search for a husband. The next day, as Shoko leaves for Hakata, she realises that there is a wedding ring in the pocket of the dress she had borrowed from her sister. The moment she boards her flight, she is suddenly hit on the head by a falling suitcase and ends up dropping the ring. The person who holds out the ring to a flustered Shoko is Banno Joe, the owner of the fallen bag. Shoko feels shaken by this charming, handsome younger man and pretends that she is already married. The two of them end up having a meal together in Hakata. Shoko keeps up the pretense that she is someone’s woman instead of a spinster. She gets an unexpected chance at romance with this “married” tag when he proposes that she have a fling with him during this trip. Shoko learns the joy of romance for the first time through this “limited-time romance”. Although she tells herself that this is an affair to Joe and not pure love, she gradually falls too deep. Can this happiness be called true happiness?

Characters
Anne as Hama Shoko
A temporary employee who is single and weary of looking for a marriage partner. Because she still lives with her parents, she is labelled a “parasite single”. She is not good at romance and always viewed as a person who overreacts. She likes travelling and meets Banno Joe while on one of her trips. She unintentionally lies that she is married and gets a chance at an unexpected romance.

Miyazawa Hio as Banno Joe
A 25-year-old freelance photographer. He was born in Fukuoka Prefecture and spent his childhood there, but moved around Europe from the age of 10 due to his father’s work. He suddenly returns to Japan as a result of some incident. He bunks in with his older sister Akari who runs a Spanish restaurant in Tokyo but meets Hama Shoko on a plane bound for his hometown of Fukuoka.

Nakama Yukie as Yoshizawa Yoko
Hama Shoko’s older sister. A career woman who works for a consulting firm. She is plain and strait-laced. Three years ago, she suddenly married the handsome Yoshizawa Kenji and surprised her family. She has a marriage that is the envy of everyone and does not seem to be unhappy about anything. However, she is actually pretending to be single and having an affair with a younger man.

Seto Toshiki as Yagami Futa
A professional boxer. He is the friendly type who is good at acting spoiled, and appeals to maternal instincts. However, as a professional boxer, he hates to lose. He meets Yoshizawa Yoko without realising that she is married and is attracted to her.

Tahihara Shosuke as Yoshizawa Kenji
Yoshizawa Yoko’s husband. He works for a trading company. Besides his height and good looks, he is good-natured and affable. He is the ideal husband who readily agreed to live with Yoko’s parents and is also concerned about his sister-in-law Shoko.

Tanaka Michiko as Yamada Masako
Hama Shoko’s good friend who is also a temporary employee. She works hard at searching for a husband with Shoko. But she is not popular for some reason even though she is a beauty.

Scriptwriter
Eto Rin (Survival Wedding, Nodame Cantabile Series)

Original Work
Gisou Furin by Higashimura Akiko

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Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/Lupin-no-musume

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 11 July 2019

Network
Fuji TV

Story
Mikumo Hana works at a library and is seriously dating Sakuraba Kazuma. One day, Kazuma decides to introduce her to his family and she gets extremely nervous. Kazuma’s father Norikazu speaks in a stern tone while his mother Misako looks shocked by Hana’s workplace. Hana had only heard that Kazuma is a civil servant, but now she realises that the Sakuraba family comes from a long line of police officers. Hana shudders after she hears this. Then she learns that Kazuma belongs to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Third Investigation Division which specalises in catching thieves … … Kazuma sends Hana back and she goes into an ordinary house. When his car leaves, she stealthily slips out and heads to the upper floors of a high-rise apartment building. This is actually where the Mikumo family lives. Hana is ushered inside by her mother Etsuko who is holding an expensive cat, father Takeru who is having wine with caviar and grandmother Matsu who is in the middle of handling a pufferfish. However, the cat, caviar as well as the pufferfish have all been pilfered from other people. The Mikumo family is a family of thieves. Hana considers giving up Kazuma. Meanwhile, Kazuma is told by Norikazu that he will approve of his relationship with Hana once he becomes a detective of the First Investigation Division. When Kazuma consults a senior detective in the Third Investigation Section, he is advised to arrest L’s family, an entire family which has been professional thieves for generations and is famous even within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Labelled L, the family never gives itself away. But they do not steal from the weak, just like Arsène Lupin’s audacious crimes. Kazuma resolves to capture them even though no one knows who they are. However, this family, is Hana’s family, the Mikumos.

Characters
Fukada Kyoko as Mikumo Hana
The daughter of Lupin’s family, she is the most talented at stealing among her family members. But she refuses to inherit the family business and lives an ordinary life working as a librarian. Even though the family’s motto is to only target villains, her boyfriend Sakuraba Kazuma whose duty is to arrest thieves, understandably gets involved every time. He occasionally gets attacked by villains and ends up in dire straits. Although she feels conflicted, she ends up helping her family of thieves against her better judgement in order to save her beloved Kazuma.

Seto Koji as Sakuraba Kazuma
He brings Mikumo Hana home to his family but their marriage is opposed by his parents just because Hana is not a police officer. It has been the Sakuraba family’s long-cherished wish to produce a detective with the First Investigation Division. So he makes his parents approve of his marriage to Hana on condition he transfers to the First Investigation Division from the Third Investigation Division. He yearns to perform a great deed in order to transfer, and targets the arrest of Lupin’s family, a family of thieves that is famous even within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Watabe Atsuro as Mikumo Takeru
Mikumo Hana’s father who is a thief specialising in works of art. He is refined and a dandy. Besides art works, he “procures” caviar and expensive wines from the other residents of the fashionable high-rise apartment building where the Mikumo family lives. As the decision-maker of the Mikumo family, he is not pleased that Hana will not take over the family business and Wataru is a social recluse, fearing that the family will end with his generation.

Ozawa Maju as Mikumo Etsuko
Mikumo Hana’s bewitching mother who is a thief specialising in jewellery. Because of her desire for beauty, she looks very young for her age and nothing like a 55-year-old. She is always in flashy outfits. She and her husband mess around like love birds but she does a great job when the time comes to steal.

Kurihara Rui as Mikumo Wataru
Mikumo Hana’s older brother. Although he is the eldest son and rightful heir of the family, he never leaves his room. A hardcore social recluse, even his parents have given up on him because he communicates in an artificial voice with the family through a tablet … … However, like father like son, he is a top hacker who steals information through the internet.

Onuki Yusuke as Enjoji Akira
A thief who is in love with his childhood friend Mikumo Hana. He bothers Hana when he appears in front of her all of a sudden. He has an annoying habit of striking a musical note in the middle of a conversation. He tries his best to win Hana’s heart but … …

Shida Masayuki as Sakuraba Norikazu
Sakuraba Kazuma’s father. The pillar of the dignified Sakuraba family and the head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Special Assault Team. Although he is opposed to marriage between Mikumo Hana and his son Kazuma, his dearest wish is for the family to produce a detective with the First Investigation Division. If Kazuma can make this come true, he will approve the union.

Marcia as Sakuraba Misako
Sakuraba Kazuma’s mother who is an adjunct with the crime lab. A cool, collected as well as sharp woman, she is opposed to Mikumo Hana dating her son Kazuma and feels irritated with Hana will not leave him. On the other hand, she detects a faint whiff of crime from the strange vibes of the Mikumo family.

Maro Akaji as Mikumo Iwao
Mikumo Hana’s grandfather. A legendary pickpocket. He drilled a young Hana in the skills and knowledge to be a thief. Because he typically stays away from home, he is treated as dead by his wife Matsu, but he occasionally makes an appearance.

Scriptwriter
Tokunaga Yuichi (Strawberry Night Saga, Good Doctor, Keiji Yugami)

Original Work
Lupin no Musume by Yokozeki Dai

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Date: From 7.30 p.m., 15 July 2019
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Ie Uru Onna Series, Dairenai, Totto-chan)
Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Fukada Kyoko, Ukaji Takashi, Kimura Shogo, Kakei Toshio, Yamada Yoshiaki, Ishii Masanori, Ishikura Saburo, Saito Ayumu, Shogaki Minato, Arizono Yoshiki, Nishimura Masahiko, Kohinata Fumiyo, Eguchi Yosuke
Synopsis: The Edo shogunate faced an unprecedented crisis of being forced by the Western powers to open up with the arrival of Matthew Perry’s black ships and Russian demands to demarcate the border. The explorer and geographer Matsuura Takeshiro (Matsumoto Jun) decides that Ezo, the land of the Ainu as Hokkaido was then called, had to be protected from Russia and would travel there six times between the ages of 28 and 41. His exploration of Ezo is guided by the Ainu. Takeshiro develops close ties with them and identifies with the richness of Ainu culture and kindness of the people. However, he witnesses firsthand the exploitation and looting of the Ainu by the Matsumae Domain which controls Ezo. One day, Takeshiro encounters Rise (Fukada Kyoko), a beautiful Ainu woman who lives in a village he visits. She has been protecting her family (Ukaji Takashi, Kimura Shogo, Shogaki Minato), but has a past that she does not talk about much about. He is struck by the look of sorrow in her eyes. When Takeshiro returns to Edo, he publishes a map of Ezo and exposes the harsh reality facing the Ainu. This angers the Matsumae Domain which obstructs Takeshiro, and finally sends assassins to try to kill him. Although Takeshiro is being pursued for dear life, he is appointed by the shogunate which demands haste in developing Ainu land to protect against Russia’s southern advancement and once again surveys Ezo. Following the Meiji Restoration, he proposes the name Hokkaido with kanji characters denoting “northern lands of the Ainu” which served as the basis for the new government’s eventual choice of the kanji “north” and “sea”.
Official Website: www.nhk.or.jp/sapporo/nispa

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Official Website
www.tv-asahi.co.jp/sign

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 11 July 2019

Network
TV Asahi

Story
The Japan Forensic Research Institute is co-managed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as well as the National Police Agency. The forensic pathologists listen to the silent voices of the dead but come up against the powerful who cover up inconvenient truths. One of pathologists is the eccentric Yuzuki Takashi will pursue the truth and justice without yielding to authority. Despite failures, setbacks, betrayals and intrigue, the pathologists and their associates press on in their quest for signs of the truth left on the bodies and justice. In every case, the “truth” they uncover exists side by side with the “truth” fabricated by those with power. They find themselves in a fierce fight to the finish as both sides try to establish that their “truth” is the actual truth. In the midst of this, a popular national singer Kitami Eiji is found dead in the waiting room at a live show venue. However, no proper fingerprints can be lifted from the scene. It is not an exaggeration to say that Kitami’s dead body is the only evidence. Izumi Chisato, a director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigation Division, gives instructions for his body to be taken to the Japan Forensic Research Institute immediately. Meanwhile, the police obtain information of Kitami’s quarrels with the CEO of the agency that he belongs to as well as his stylist who was the first person to discover his body. However, Chisato puts the investigation on hold until the autopsy results are out. Hyodo Kuniaki, the director of the Japan Forensic Research Institute, entrusts Kitami’s autopsy to Yuzuki. However, right before the autopsy, he is unexpectedly interrupted. Date Akiyoshi, a professor of forensic medicine at a national university, suddenly shows up at the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and tells Yuzuki that he will be conducting the autopsy. Kitami’s death has led to maneuvering behind the scenes by someone with immense power beyond imagining, and the “truth” that the pathologists arrive at will get buried in darkness.

Characters
Omori Nao as Yuzuki Takashi
A pathologist at the Japan Forensic Research Institute. A forensic doctor who is honest to a fault, he does not yield to authority in the pursuit of truth and justice. He is the best pupil of the institute’s head Hyodo Kuniaki, and his skill in conducting autopsies are topnotch. Although he has an extremely sharp tongue and is an obstinate, prickly person, he is a warm person deep down – a side that he hardly displays.

Matsuyuki Yasuko as Izumi Chisato
A director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigation Division. Strong-willed and gutsy, she is an ambitious woman who has set her sights on becoming the division’s first female chief. She channelled her frustrations with the overwhelming male dominated police organisation to worked hard and get to where she is today. She and Yuzuki Takashi used to date and they were even engaged to marry for a time. She is usually a cool and calm person but behaves badly when drunk.

Iitoyo Marie as Nakazono Kei
A rookie pathologist at the Japan Forensic Research Institute. She approaches forensic medicine sincerely. She volunteers to be a pupil under Yuzuki Takashi, the best pupil of Hyodo Kuniaki, the director of the Japan Forensic Research Institute whom she respects. She does not lose heart and hangs on even though he tyrannises her. She is a naive young woman who thrives on adversity. In fact, a relative of hers was involved in some incident in the past … …

Takasugi Mahiro as Takahashi Kirito
An assistant inspect at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigation Division. Izumi Chisato’s subordinate. A lady-killer and lone wolf. He is still inexperienced because of his youth but he has good intuition as a detective and is excellent at his work. Although Chisato’s intensity makes him feel nervous sometimes, he is not daunted and speaks frankly. He can be quite impertinent but he is impossible to hate.

Nishida Toshiyuki as Hyodo Kuniaki
The director of the Japan Forensic Research Institute. He believes even the dead have human rights and is the “conscience of Japan’s forensic medicine community” who continues to listen sincerely to the silent voices of the dead. To Yuzuki Takashi, he is a benefactor and foster parent. He is fond of him and also acknowledges his skill in autopsies. He is soon put in an unexpectedly difficult position … …

Nakamura Toru as Date Akiyoshi
A professor of forensic medicine at a national university. He asserts that “the truth is bestowed upon the winner” and is a dangerous man who is close to those with power. He is even willing to falsify autopsy results in order to protect himself. He once fought for the Japan Forensic Research Institute director’s position with Hyodo Kuniaki and lost. But he is still eyeing that position now.

Scriptwriters
Habara Daisuke (Spiral, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, Godan)
Kosaka Takafumi (Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu Season 3, Genkai Danchi, Temisu no Kyuukei)

Original Work
Sign by SBS

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Official Website
www.ktv.jp/twoweeks

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 16 July 2019

Network
Fuji TV

Story
Yuki Daichi previously served time for attempted murder and now feels no hope in life. He spends each day just living for the moment. Then one day, his girlfriend Aoyagi Sumire, who was the only one he ever loved deeply but told him they were over because of some incident, shows up. She says that she gave birth to their daughter whom she calls Hana. Hana is now 8 years old and has leukemia. Although Yuki is bewildered this sudden revelation of his daughter’s existence, he feels a fatherly affection when he meets Hana for the first time at the hospital. As luck would have it, Yuki learns that he is a match with Hana and this gives him meaning in life once again. Meanwhile, Tsukishima Kaede has taken the path of a prosecutor with the support of the lawmaker Kuga Sahoko who is an old family acquaintance. She has continued with her own investigation into the case that drove her father to his death eight years ago in order to take revenge on the mastermind. Then a collaborator who had got close to the mastermind as Kaede’s spy is found dead. Yuki was at the scene where the body was discovered and ends up getting arrested for a murder. With the bone marrow transplant surgery scheduled to take place two weeks later, Yuki decides to go on the run in order to save Hana’s life. The police including detective Arima Hirotada as well as the Kaede, who wants to confirm the truth behind her collaborator’s death, try to track him down. In addition, Shibasaki Kaname, a businessman and long-time acquaintance of Yuki, is also alert to these movements … …

Characters
Miura Haruma as Yuki Daichi
A man who previously served time for attempted murder and now feels no hope in life. He is suddenly informed by his ex-girlfriend Aoyagi Sumire who broke up with him eight years ago, that their daughter called Hana has leukemia. While visiting the hospital for a bone marrow examination, he happens to meet Hana and his paternal instincts being to grow. Just when he is scheduled for a bone marrow transplant surgery two weeks later after he is found to be a match, he is framed for murder and arrested. However, he decides to go on the run.

Yoshine Kyoko as Tsukishima Kaede
A rookie prosecutor with a strong sense of justice. She belongs to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s Konan branch office. After graduating from university, she immediately passed the bar exam. She is efficient in her work but can be careless sometimes. She has been investigating an attempted murder that led to her father’s death eight years ago for the sake of take revenge against the mastermind. When her collaborator who holds the key to the case is found murdered, she comes forward as the prosecutor to track down Yuki Daichi who was happened to be at the scene of the incident.

Higa Manami as Aoyagi Sumire
Yuki Daichi’s ex-girlfriend. She is now engaged to detective Arima Hirotada. Eight years ago, she told Yuki that she was breaking up with him and secretly gave birth to their daughter Hana. She raised Hana on her own as a single mother. She visits Yuki in order to find a suitable donor for Hana who has leukemia, but she does not tell Hana or Arima that Yuki is donating his bone marrow.

Miura Takahiro as Arima Hirotada
Aoyagi Sumire’s fiance. An outstanding detective with Sakurada Nishi Police Precinct, he has keen insight and makes level-headed decisions. He prides himself in having the highest arrest rate in the precinct. A kindhearted man, he has been devotedly supporting both Sumire and her daughter Hana. He is put in charge of the murder case where Yuki Daichi was framed, and hunts for him without realising that he is Hana’s father.

Takashima Masanobu as Shibasaki Kaname
A businessman who is the CEO of Shibasaki Corporation. Besides running a diversified business including high-end clubs and pawnshops, he has amassed customers through investment consulting seminars. He appears to be a capable man but he is a cunning person who will resort to illegal and unethical means to get what he wants. He is an old acquaintance of Yuki Daichi and is also connected to the incident eight years ago.

Kuroki Hitomi as Kuga Sahoko
A lawmaker who is Tsukishima Kaede’s strongest ally and confidant. She made the acquaintance of Kaede’s family in her former job as a lawyer, and encouraged her to become a prosecutor. She treats Kaede like a daughter. She has taken the initiative in policy related to pediatric care because of her experience with her only son who has serious heart problems, and enjoys strong public support.

Scriptwriter
Yamaura Masahiro (Miss Devil, Zenigata Keibu Series, Umi ni Furu)

Original Work
Two Weeks by MBC

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