Date: From 9.00 p.m., 5 January 2020
Scriptwriter: Namie Hiroshi (Dinner)
Cast: Miyazaki Aoi, Eita, Ichiro Maki, Musaka Naomasa, Shibuya Asuka, Kondo Yoshimasa, Tamura Kentaro, Matsuzaka Keiko, Matsushige Yutaka
Synopsis: Four years ago, Onodera Risa’s (Miyazaki Aoi) groom ran away on the day of their wedding ceremony but she has completely bounced back from this episode. Her father Shunsaku (Matsushige Yutaka) was the head of a confectionary company’s sales department but he was assigned to another department in a personnel reshuffle. Her mother Machiko (Matsuzaka Keiko) is a cheerful full-time housewife. Wanting to live together with their daughter and her husband, Shunsaku and Machiko built a large home for a two-generation family. However, contrary to their expectations, the three of them now live in this big house. Hyodo Kotaro (Eita) assumes the role of the head of Shunsaku’s new department. He used to be Shunsaku’s subordinate but has now become his boss. Although Shunsaku is happy about Kotaro’s promotion, he has mixed feelings. The only place where he can complain about his job and family is at the pub that his childhood friend Murakami Yoichi (Musaka Naomasa) runs. Meanwhile, Machiko has been attending Kurahashi Kyoko’s (Ichiro Maki) classes because of her interest in flower arrangement. Kyoko is Yoichi’s ex-wife but also an important person Machiko who can talk to her about anything. Then one day, Risa brings her boyfriend home, saying that he has proposed to her. Her father takes a look at his face and is shocked. Risa’s boyfriend is Kotaro! He wants to give his blessings for Risa’s marriage but gets worried about living under the same roof with his boss. Will the four of them become a family?
Official Website: www.tbs.co.jp/ashitanokazoku

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Date: From 8.00 p.m., 6 January 2020
Scriptwriter: Yoshida Noriko (Dying Eye, Mistresses, Kataomoi)
Cast: Fujiyama Naomi, Kishibe Ittoku, Fukatsu Eri, Chiba Yudai, Kishimoto Kayoko, Kagawa Teruyuki
Synopsis: Minagawado is an established rice cracker shop celebrating its 95th anniversary. Its current CEO Minagawa Yuichiro (Kishibe Ittoku) is pleasant to outsiders but curt and petty at home. His daughter Sayuri (Fukatsu Eri) is irritated with his behaviour. She also has a rather sharp tongue and vain personality. Sayuri’s husband Daisuke (Kagawa Teruyuki), who married into the family and is Minagawado’s executive director, is constantly anxious about his wife and father-in-law who are two of a kind. One day, while Yuichiro is visiting the grave of his late wife, he meets Yamada Minako (Fujiyama Naomi), a divorcee who runs a bar in Asakusa called Venus. This Showa man makes an unexpected move to invite her to tea. Daisuke frequents this bar and happens to see Yuichiro get along well with Minako. It soon becomes known that Minako and Yuichiro are seeing each other. Sayuri is shocked. She suspects that Minako of being a fortune hunter and will not approve of their relationship. Her father proclaims Minako to be his “last woman” but will Sayuri be supportive of this romance?
Official Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/saigo_onna

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/zettaireido

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 6 January 2020

Network
Fuji TV

Story
The Mihan aggregates and analyses big data such as the personal information on Japanese citizens – email and phone records, financial institutions’ deposit and withdrawal records – and surveillance camera footage nationwide. It then investigates dangerous people identified by AI as future criminals and sets out to prevent such grave offences, primarily murders before these happen. Izawa Norito is the leader of team. He was a former elite detective of the Public Security Department but his wife and daughter were ruthlessly killed as a result of the false allegations in test case #0 because of the Mihan system. One day several months into the future, a large-scale terror attack is about to take place in Tokyo. Explosives have been placed in multiple places including Shibuya, Shinjuku and Kasumigaseki, triggering the highest alert level. The Prime Minister’s official residence declares a state of emergency. As the Special Assault Team and the bomb disposal unit are mobilised, Odagiri Yui and Yamauchi Toru from the Mihan join the investigation. While searching for the explosives, Yui hears a gunshot and enters a room where she finds Izawa standing in front of a woman who has been shot dead. He is in tears and holding a gun in his hand. Yui is so shocked that she is unable to make a sound. Several months earlier, the Mihan had boarded a cruise ship connecting Tokyo and Hong Kong to deter a battle between drug syndicates. With the support of the legendary hacker Kagami Sosuke, who had joined as a new member, they succeeded in preventing crime. At that time, two Ministry of Justice bureaucrats Kitami Toshiya and Kosaka Akari showed up. Kosaka, who had volunteered to be responsible for the Mihan, declared Izawa a dangerous person in front of everyone and her intention to review personnel but immediately issued investigation instructions. These are the same two people that the Mihan have tracked but found no common ground.

Characters
Sawamura Ikki as Izawa Norito
An assistant inspector who is the leader of the Mihan team of investigators. A former elite detective of the Public Security Department. He is usually gentle-mannered, easygoing and sort of elusive. As his wife and daughter were mercilessly murdered, his desire to prevent crimes before they happen so that there will not be similar victims again, is much stronger than others. His anger at criminals is all too extreme and he constantly has an intense ferocity that crosses the line for a detective. He is considered dangerous by the top brass.

Yokoyama Yu as Yamauchi Toru
He became a member of the Mihan after stints in the First Investigative Division and Special Criminal Investigations Unit. Although he now conducts investigations, his position is to “police the police” according to the new notice of personnel change. He has to check for illegal investigations such as breaking and entering homes and cracking computers. However, this is is the official reason because he has been ordered by the top brass to keep close tabs on Izawa Norito.

Honda Tsubasa as Odagiri Yui
A police officer who used to be with the Community Safety Division but was transferred to the Mihan because she was excessively violent to a suspected molester who tried to run away. Because she was attacked by a man when she was a high school student, she has a fear of men and behaves unusually cold and rough towards them. She dabbled in various martial arts in order to become tough and is relatively strong in her own style of martial arts

Mizuno Miki as Kosaka Akari
A bureaucrat from the Ministry of Justice. The existence of the Mihan within the police is public knowledge. However, citizens have not been informed that they are under surveillance and their personal information is being used without permission for investigations. Although she is from the Ministry of Justice, she cannot have the police enshrine the Mihan system in law and volunteered to take charge of the Mihan but she questions Izawa Norito’s true intentions. She regards him as a dangerous man and there is always a tense atmosphere between the two of them.

Morinaga Yuki as Yoshioka Takumi
A career police officer who was assigned to the Mihan as a new trainee. He is unhappy that an elite person like himself was posted to a unit with a story behind it and he adopts a negative attitude that the illegal investigations will harm his own career advancement. However, he was actually a gifted child actor and displays an odd tenacity only for getting into character during undercover investigations. He would even stick his nose into the acting of each of the other investigators. He frequently gets into arguments with Odagiri Yui who is older than him but lower in rank, and comically scribbles notes on the number of times that he has been drubbed by her.

Emoto Akira as Kagami Sosuke
A legendary genius hacker who is tired of facing computers. He has a natural affinity for new things and had been deeply involved in the world of computers since the early days. He has anecdotes assisting in the arrests of international hackers. Kosaka Akari had hoped he would be a white hacker to put this knowledge and skills to good use for the Mihan’s investigations. But he has lost his passion for computers and is greatly interested in the Mihan’s undercover investigations. He is a free spirit whose assistance in investigations very much depends on his mood.

Scriptwriter
Hamada Hideya (Voice, Zettai Reido Series, Naomi to Kanako)

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• Zettai Reido Season 4 Teaser
• Zettai Reido Season 3

© jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.ntv.co.jp/shiranakuteiikoto

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 January 2020

Network
NTV

Story
Makabe Kate is a reporter for Shukan East, a weekly magazine which carries scoops from corrupt politicians to celebrity scandals. Her work life and love life are going really well. Then one day, Kate is informed that her mother Anna, who brought her up all on her own, collapsed all of a sudden. Before Anna passes away, her last words are the name of Kate’s father – Keanu Reeves … … Words that would create major turmoil in Kate’s life. How can Kate’s father possibly be a Hollywood star!? She talks this over with her boyfriend Nonaka Haruki and laughs it off. But there is convincing evidence. A photograph from her mother’s study shows Anna in her younger days with Keanu Reeves. Kate returns to work several days later and goes straight to the editor-in-chief Iwatani Susumu about a lead on the scam that she has been pursuing. She participates in tea ceremony classes run by an elderly woman called Taga Emiko in order to interview Emiko who fell in love with a fictitious person online and gave him a lot of money but does not believe she has been cheated. However, Emiko is on her guard and the interview does not go well. Meanwhile, Kate’s ex-boyfriend Odaka Yuichiro visits her home to offer incense to Anna after returning from an overseas business trip. When he hears Anna’s last words and does not reject the theory that Keanu is Kate’s father, it bolsters Kate’s spirits. As Kate digs into the mystery surrounding her own birth and father’s secrets, she stumbles upon a shocking truth that has been concealed and has to face the fact that sometimes it is best not knowing the truth.

Characters
Yoshitaka Yuriko as Makabe Kate
A journalist who belongs to the special features team at the editorial department of Togen Publishing’s weekly magazine Shukan East. She has been with the magazine for 10 years and has contacts in political circles as well as the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. A confident young woman with the charm and affability of her mother Anna who was a film critic and leading subtitler. She hopes for a proposal from Nonaka Haruki, a junior at her workplace whom she has been dating for two years.

Emoto Tasuku as Odaka Yuichiro
Makabe Kate’s ex-boyfriend. Although he was a press photographer for Shukan East who was even a candidate for the Pulitzer Prize, something spurred him to switch over to freelance animal photography. He is married with a wife and child.

Shigeoka Daiki as Nonaka Haruki
He belongs to the serialisation team at the editorial department of Togen Publishing’s weekly magazine Shukan East. He is good at gaining the trust of writers. Makabe Kate’s boyfriend. He is agonising over whether it is time to propose to her.

Akiyoshi Kumiko as Makabe Anna
Makabe Kate’s mother. A film critic and leading subtitler. She brought Kate up on her own and before she passed away, she left her daughter with some significant words.

Sasaki Kuranosuke as Iwatani Susumu
The editor-in-chief of Togen Publishing’s weekly magazine Shukan East. He has constantly kept Shukan East in top position for sales among the weekly magazines and been able to create an atmosphere where the editorial department is one in mind and body. He previously scored numerous scoops that will always be remembered and he is like an older brother to Odaka Yuichiro who was a photographer at the time.

Kobayashi Kaoru as Noto Atoru
A mysterious man who will greatly influence the second half of the story. He runs a bicycle repair shop.

Scriptwriter
Oishi Shizuka (Ie Uru Onna Series, Dairenai, Contrail)

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© jdramas.wordpress.com.

Zettai Reido Season 4 ~ Mizen Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 6 January 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Hamada Hideya (Voice, Zettai Reido Series, Naomi to Kanako)
Genre: Detective
Cast: Sawamura Ikki, Yokoyama Yu, Honda Tsubasa, Mizuno Miki, Morinaga Yuki, Takasugi Mahiro, Uesugi Shuhei, Emoto Akira, Magy
Synopsis: Izawa Norito (Sawamura Ikki), whose wife and daughter were ruthlessly murdered, is the leader of the Mihan team. This team analyses big data such as the personal information on Japanese citizens – email and phone records, financial institutions’ deposit and withdrawal records – and surveillance camera footage nationwide. It then investigates dangerous people identified as future criminals and sets out to prevent such grave offences, primarily murders before these happen. One day, explosives are placed in multiple places including Shibuya, Shinjuku and Kasumigaseki, triggering the highest alert level. The Prime Minister’s official residence declares a state of emergency. As the Special Assault Team and the bomb disposal unit are mobilised, Odagiri Yui (Honda Tsubasa) and Yamauchi Toru (Yokoyama Yu) from the Mihan team join the investigation. While searching for the explosives, Yui enters a room and finds Izawa standing in front of a woman who has been shot dead. He is in tears and holding a gun in his hand. Yui is so shocked that she is unable to make a sound. Did Izawa cross the line as a detective and kill the woman because of his anger at the criminal? The story rewinds to several months before the incident takes place … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/zettaireido
Preview: Zettai Reido Season 4 Teaser
Related: Zettai Reido Season 3

Byouin no Naoshikata ~ Dr Arihara no Chousen
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Mondays, 20 January 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Nakamura Mutsumi (Aibou Seasons 12, 14 – 17, Kounodori Season 1, Yae no Sakura)
Genre: Medical
Cast: Koizumi Kotaro, Takashima Masanobu, Konishi Manami, Inaba Yu, Owada Shinya, Isono Kiriko, Kadono Takuzo, Mitsuishi Ken, Asada Miyoko, Nakamura Masatoshi　
Synopsis: Arihara Shuhei (Koizumi Kotaro) works for a university hospital and devotes himself to research on catheter-based treatment. One day, he receives a phone call from his family’s family Arihara General Hospital. Shuhei’s father Shotaro, who is the hospital director, has suffered a stroke. He hastily rushes over but Shotaro has fallen into a coma. He hears from the head nurse Hyodo Etsuko (Asada Miyoko) that the hospital is heavily in debt and Shuhei is lost for words.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/byouinnonaoshikata

Yameru Toki mo, Sukonaka Naru Toki mo
Date: From 1.59 a.m., Tuesdays, 21 January 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Kuwamura Sayaka (Ai Shite Tatte Himitsu wa Aru, Sukina Hito ga Iru Koto, Koinaka)
Original Work: Yameru Toki mo, Sukonakanaru Toki mo by Kubo Misumi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Fujigaya Taisuke, Nao, Goseki Koichi, Hino Shohei
Synopsis: Sudo Issei (Fujigaya Taisuke) is a furniture maker. Although he works earnestly, he has not been able to produce a new piece that surpasses his teacher and has made little progress as a craftsman. One day, Sudo encounters Motohashi Sakurako (Nao) who works for an advertising firm. She is able to support herself with her job but has been less than successful in love.
The two of them are drawn to each other and seem to connect. But they still keep their emotional scars secret. Sudo is unable to forget the death of a loved one. Whenever December comes around, he would lose his ability to speak for almost a week – a symptom in reaction to the memorial day. On the other hand, Sakurako has had to support the family ever since her father’s company went bankrupt, and struggles to be freed from this reality quickly. She believes the present can be changed if she gets married. They do not have innocent feelings for each other. The love that they begin is for their own sakes but … …
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/tomoniikiru

10 no Himitsu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 January 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Goto Noriko (Innocent Days, Uso no Sensou, Kazoku no Katachi)
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Nakama Yukie, Naka Riisa, Yamada Anna, Takashima Tsuyoshi, Hotta Akane, Kawamura Hana, Sano Shiro, Endo Yuya, Fujiwara Mitsuhiro, Yamano Umi, Natori Yuko, Watabe Atsuro
Synopsis: Shirakawa Keita (Mukai Osamu) is a building certification inspector who lives with his 14-year-old daughter Hitomi (Yamada Anna). After his wife Yukiko (Nakama Yukie) notified him that she was filing for divorce and walked out on them, Hitomi has been the only consideration in his life. Keita has established a relationship where he and Hitomi can talk about anything and Hitomi’s friends envy her. He is the ideal father that they want. Then one day, Keita receives a phone call. All the caller says is “I have your daughter. If you value her life, find your ex-wife.” As Keita searches for Hitomi, he not only learns about the secret behind his ex-wife’s glamorous lifestyle, he also ends up discovering that even the daughter whom he thought he knew everything about, has a secret … …
Website: www.ktv.jp/10himitsu

Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 January 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Tokyo Dokushin Danshi, Chugaku Seinikki, Boku no Tsuma to Kekkon Shite Kudasai)
Original Work: Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo by Enjoji Maki
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Kamishiraishi Mone, Sato Takeru, Maiguma Katsuya, Kousei, Watanabe Keisuke, Yoshikawa Ai, Takiuchi Kumi, Hotta Mayu, Eren, Hara Fukiko, Ando Sei, Horimoto Yukie, Mikami Ai, Karina, Hiraiwa Kami, Katase Nana, Renbutsu Misako, Yamamoto Koji
Synopsis: Sakura Nanase (Kamishiraishi Mone) made the acquaintance of her dream guy Dr Tendo Kairi (Sato Takeru) through a chance encounter and fell in love with him. Wanting to see him again, she studied very hard and became a nurse at long last. However, when they are reunited five years later, Nanase discovers that the very man she adores is a completely different person from what she imagined. She learns that he always takes digs at people and is such an extreme sadist that he was given the nickname “Devil”. But Nanase continues to sincerely and honestly convey her feelings to Tendo. She instantly becomes famous in the hospital for this, and her fearlessness in pressing on like a “hero” against the “devil” earns her the nickname “Yuusha-chan” from her seniors. Even though she looks completely reckless in everyone’s eyes, Nanase pours her heart into it. And her constant honesty in both work and love starts to melt Tendo’s steel heart little by little.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/koitsudu_tbs
Preview: Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo Teaser

Sedai Wars
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 8 January 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Yokote Michiko
Cast: Yamada Yuki, Okada Koki, Matobu Sei, Asakawa Nana, Ikeda Yuto, Yokoyama Megumi, Deai Masayuki, Okuyama Kazusa, Suzuki Masayuki, Nishioka Tokuma, Otomo Kohei
Synopsis: Set in the not too distant future in Japan at a time when various issues have exacerbated due to ill feelings between generations and tremendous dissatisfaction, the economy is depressed and society continues to breakdown. WW2, baby boomers, bubble, lost, relaxed and millennial generations – Every generation points the blame at other generations. Prime Minister Ando Naoki announces that the country will hold a decisive battle to determine the president who will run the country. Called the Sedai Wars, a battle royale with representatives from each generation will take place in a virtual reality space. Kashiwagi Satoru (Yamada Yuki) is chosen to represent his relaxed generation. The rule is simple: Whoever is the last one standing wins.
Website: www.mbs.jp/sedai-wars
Preview: Sedai Wars CM

Shiranakute Ii Koto
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 January 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Ie Uru Onna Series, Dairenai, Contrail)
Cast: Yoshitaka Yuriko, Emoto Tasuku, Shigeoka Daiki, Imai Takafumi, Kobayashi Kinako, Sekimizu Nagisa, Wada Soko, Morita Kanro, Honda Chikara, Yamauchi Takaya, Akiyoshi Kumiko, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Kobayashi Kaoru
Synopsis: Makabe Kate (Yoshitaka Yuriko) is a reporter for Shukan East, a weekly magazine which carries scoops from corrupt politicians to celebrity scandals. A confident young woman with the charm and affability of her mother Anna (Akiyoshi Kumiko) who was a film critic and leading subtitler, Kate’s work life and her love life are going really well. One day, Kate’s mother suddenly passes away. Before she died, her last words were the name of Kate’s father – something she had never mentioned before. The name she said is that of a recognisable Hollywood star … … How can Kate’s father possibly be a Hollywood star!? But there is also convincing proof. When Kate closes in on the mystery of her birth and secret of her father, she has to face the fact that sometimes it is best not knowing the truth.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/shiranakuteiikoto
Preview: Shiranakute Ii Koto CM

Followers
Date: From 27 February 2020
Station: Netflix
Scriptwriter: –
Cast: Nakatani Miki, Ikeda Eliza, Natsuki Mari, Itaya Yuka, Komu Ai, Kaneko Nobuaki, Uesugi Shuhei, Nakashima Mika, Yutaro, Tadano Masanobu, Mashima Hidekazu, Kasamatsu Sho, Namioka Kazuki, Yanagi Shuntaro, Hamatsu Takayuki, Sato Ryuji, Yashiro Aki
Synopsis: Nara Rimi (Nakatani Miki), an established and popular photographer, meets Momota Natsume (Ikeda Eliza) who has come to Tokyo with dreams of becoming an actress. Although Natsume suffers setbacks, she grows from these experiences in this story about the lifestyles of women whose lives intersect in this world dominated by social media.
Website: www.netflix.com/jp/title/80233221

Boku wa Doko kara
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Izumi (Fujiko, Yume o Ataeru, Kanata no Ko)
Original Work: Boku wa Doko kara by Ichikawa Masa
Genre: Crime suspense
Cast: Nakajima Yuto, Mamiya Shotaro, Kamishiraishi Moka, Otoo Takuma, Takahashi Tsutomu, Wakabayashi Gou, Kasamatsu Sho, Sudo Risa, Sendo Nobuko
Synopsis: Takeuchi Kaoru (Nakajima Yuto) is a young man aspiring to be a writer. He has the special ability to copy the thoughts of other people by transcribing text. He lives with his mother who suffers from dementia, while he concentrates on his manuscript. But Kaoru’s special ability is also a big obstacle which prevents him from writing his own distinctive work. He struggles with his dream and reality as he tries to take care of his mother. Then a tragedy happens when she gets into an accident. Kaoru can no longer find meaning in life, and even the cost of his mother’s hospitalisation is beyond him. Just as he sinks into despair, an ex-classmate Fujiwara Tomomi (Mamiya Shotaro) shows up. The youngest gang leader of Toguji-gumi, Tomomi offers Kaoru a handsome reward if he takes an examination for the son of some family and gets him into a top university. But Kaoru gets swept up by something unexpected right before he manages to succeed.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/bokudoko
Preview: Boku wa Doko kara CM

Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu
Date: From 1.35 a.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2020
Station: TV Tokyo & Paravi
Scriptwriters: Peyoung Maki (Koi no Tsuki, Retake), Tachi Sorami (Coffee & Vanilla, Goodbye)
Original Work: Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu by Itsuma-chan
Genre: Love comedy
Cast: Uchida Rio, Ota Rina, Koseki Yuta, Goto Takenori, Tobinaga Tsubasa, Kojima Fujiko, Yutaro, Nakagawa Chika, Shiono Akihisa
Synopsis: Studio Delta is a small video production company in Tokyo which does CG for anime and games. It is rather hard work for its five employees who often have late nights. One of its employees, 27-year-old Omori Momoe (Uchida Rio), is a sex addict in intimate relationships with five male friends. She thinks of sex as a hobby that does not cost money. However, Momoe is truly in love with A-kun who is her favourite. A-kun is well-educated, works for a trading company, and draws a good salary. But A-kun has a girlfriend. Although Momoe feels heartbroken and empty, she knows that her love will be unrequited and supposes she will do it right in her next life.
Website: https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/raisechan/

Keiji to Kenji ~ Shokatsu to Chiken no 24-ji
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 16 January 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors Series, Hero Series, Galileo Series)
Genre: Legal
Cast: Kiritani Kenta, Higashide Masahiro, Higa Manami, Imada Mio, Shibuya Kento, Okuyama Kazusa, Yashiba Toshihiro, Sugawara Daikichi, Minemura Rie, Nishimura Motoki, Yagi Akiko, Yanagiba Toshiro, Kazama Morio
Synopsis: Nakaido Gota (Kiritani Kenta) is a detective with the Kanagawa Prefectural Police while Mashima Shuhei (Higashide Masahiro) is a prosecutor with the Yokohama District Prosecutors’ Office’s Minato Branch. Nakaido is the kind of guy who goes to great pains to arrest criminals and wants to be appreciated by the victims. He has little concept of compliance at a time when it is considered important. On the other hand, Mashima believes the best social justice is to prosecute criminals. Therefore, detectives who gather evidence are the “pawns” of prosecutors. Brimming with their own sense of justice, the two men tackle numerous cases. Detectives often get no justice. Despite risking their lives to arrest suspects, 70% of the cases get dropped. All prosecutors will fight for convictions because the conviction rate for criminal cases is more than 99%. Nakaido and Mashima naturally clash but begin to empathise with each other.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/keijitokenji

Alive ~ Gan Senmoni no Karute
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuromitsu Yasuko (Scandal Senmon Bengoshi Queen, Keiji Yugami, Love Song)
Genre: Medical
Cast: Matsushita Nao, Kimura Yoshino, Kiyohara Sho, Okazaki Sae, Nakamura Shunsuke, Miura Shohei, Tanabe Seiichi, Fujii Takashi, Kinoshita Houka, Takahata Atsuko, Kitaoji Kinya
Synopsis: Onda Kokoro (Matsushita Nao) is an oncologist called Dr Onkoro for short by the people around her and teased that she was born for this path. She got married to Takumi (Nakamura Shunsuke), whom she had known since she was a student, and they had a son. Life was going smoothly for her. But three months ago, her husband fell in an accident and remained unconsciousness even though he underwent emergency surgery. Although Kokoro puts on a brave face at work, she still has not been able to accept reality. One day, she meets Kajiyama Kaoru (Kimura Yoshino), a competent gastroenterologist who has transferred to work at the hospital. Kaoru understands the need for oncology as a surgeon and gives emotional support with her sunny personality as a colleague. She becomes a dear friend whom Kokoro feels is sudden a ray of light in her personal and professional life … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/alive
Preview: Alive Teaser

Lunch Gokon Tantei ~ Koi to Gurume to Nazotodoki to
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Aso Kumiko (Gosaigyou, Yami no Bansosha Series, Double Fantasy)
Original Work: Lunch Tantei Series by Mizuki Hiromi
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Yamamoto Mizuki, Triendl Reina, Seto Toshiki, Kimura Yuichi
Synopsis: Amano Yuika (Yamamoto Mizuki) is rather individualistic and uncomfortable around people. She has great powers of observation and is a mystery hunter who solves all sorts of riddles. The setting where she delves into them is quite unexpectedly matchmaking sessions at lunchtime. These riddles are neither murder cases nor savage crimes, but riddles introduced by the participants at the event that Yuika somehow feels compelled to solve. Despite being socially awkward, Yuika completely changes when it comes to figuring them out and does not hesitate to bombard people with questions and prove them wrong. Her colleague Akutsu Reiko (Triendl Reina) goes with her for the matchmaking sessions and they make a contrasting pair with their different personalities and priorities.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/lunchtantei

Giri / Haji
Date: From 10 January 2020
Network: Netflix Japan & BBC
Scriptwriter: Joe Barton
Genre: Suspense
Cast: Hira Takehiro, Kelly Macdonald, Kubozuka Yosuke, Charlie Creed-Miles, Will Sharpe, Okuyama Aoi, Justin Long, Sophia Brown, Motoki Masahiro, Igawa Togo, Ellie James, John McCrea
Synopsis: A Japanese man is stabbed to death in a posh London apartment. Right after that, several gangsters are killed while dining at a restaurant in Tokyo. A photograph of the man who was killed in London is left behind at the scene. The detective in charge of investigating this case is Mori Kenzo (Hira Takehiro). However, one night, a gang leader called Fukuhara (Motoki Masahiro) pays Kenzo a visit at his apartment. His words “Far away someone threw a stone into a pond. The arrow has finally got this far,” raises questions. Kenzo is told that his estranged younger brother Yuto (Kubozuka Yosuke), who was supposed to have died one year ago, is the criminal in the London murder case. The dead man is the nephew of a rival gang leader and the knife used was Fukuhara’s. If he does not settle the matter by getting the missing Yuto home, a gang war will break out. Kenzo is dispatched to London by his superiors on a top-secret mission to find the missing Yuto and bring him back to Japan before the British police get to him. As Kenzo searches for Yuto, he gradually gets drawn into London’s underworld. When he finally finds him, he heatedly asks, “Do you know how many people have died? In Tokyo? In London? All because of you?!”
Website: www.netflix.com/jp/title/80190519

Homeroom^*NEW*
Date: From 12.59 a.m., Fridays, 24 January 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Tsugita Jun (Giver, Scams, Tokyo Vampire Hotel)
Original Work: Homeroom by Chiyo
Genre: School
Cast: Yamada Yuki, Akita Shiori, Tomita Miu, Yokota Mayu, Maeno Tomoya, Yamashita Rio, Ohata Shieri, Wakabayashi Takuya
Synopsis: The handsome teacher Aida Rintaro (Yamada Yuki) is in charge of Sakurai Sachiko’s (Akita Shiori) class. Sachiko has been enduring nasty pranks every day. The culprit is unknown. However, Sachiko does not suffer much because Aida always saves her. This popular teacher with a strong sense of justice is her special hero. But what she does not know is that Aida has a terrible secret. He is actually the person behind these practical jokes … …
Website: www.mbs.jp/homeroom_drama

Byoushitsu de Nenbutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 17 January 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Yoshizawa Tomoko (Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi, Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita, Anata no Koto wa Sorehodo)
Original Work: Byoushitsu de Nenbutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai by Koyasu Tamayo
Genre: Medical
Cast: Ito Hideaki, Muro Tsuyoshi, Matsumoto Honoka, Katayose Ryota, Karata Erika, Horiuchi Ken, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Tani Kyosuke, Nuno Uraji, Torobu Yuri, Tsuchimura Kaho, Yasui Junpei, Yo Kimiko, Izumiya Shigeru, Hagiwara Masato, Nakatani Miki
Synopsis: Matsumoto Shouen (Ito Hideaki) entered monkhood because he could not rescue his childhood friend who was drowning right in front of him when he was a kid. Wanting to save the lives of the people important to him in their last moments, he also aspired to be a doctor. At the hospital, Shouen engages in medical care as an emergency doctor and also chants sutra for the deceased at the morgue or provides psychological care for terminally ill patients as a Buddhist monk. As a result, there are times when he treats patients brought into the emergency centre while he is in his robes and causes them to jump to the conclusion that they have died. Although he is disliked not only by patients but also colleagues for chanting prayers to Buddha and preaching for everything, he is cheerful and sincere. As Shouen grapples with how he should save lives, attend to deaths and support the families of patients, he grows as a doctor, a monk and a person.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/nembutsu_tbs
Preview: Byoushitsu de Nenbutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai Teaser

Hamura Akira ~ Sekai de Mottomo Fuunna Tantei
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 24 January 2020
Station: NHK
Scriptwriters: Kurosawa Hisako (Minshuu no Teki, Tokyo Joshi Zukan, Arechi no Koi), Kida Norio
Original Work: Onna Tantei Hamura Akira Series by Wakatake Nanami
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Shishido Kavka, Mamiya Shotaro, Ikeda Narushi, Tsuda Kanji, Itabashi Shunya, Matsuo Takashi, Nakamura Yasuhi, Ohgo Suzuka, Uragami Seishu, Nakamura Baijaku
Synopsis: 34-year-old Hamura Akira (Shishido Kavka) loves mysteries. She leads a simple life. Akira has changed jobs and residences more than ten times. Now she is a part-timer at a specialist bookshop called Murder Bear Bookshop, and she is working as an investigator of Shirokuma Investigation Agency in what started as a joke with the owner. Akira gets caught in unlucky situations one way or another, and is known as the world’s most unfortunate private investigator.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/drama10/hamuraakira

Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 24 January 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriters: Tanabe Shigenori (Tokusatsu Gagaga, In Hand, Rental no Koi), Yajima Koichi (Kenkou de Bunkatekina Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu, Aino Kekkon Soudanjo), Sumita Takashi, Yamada Yuri, Ando Kei, Tamada Shinya (Joker x Face)
Original Work: Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai by Bino
Genre: School comedy
Cast: Okada Yui, Tsunematsu Yuri, Nakamura Yurika, Machida Keita, Imoto Ayaka
Synopsis: Tanaka Nozomu (Okada Yui) is one of the students who attends Sainotama Girls High School and always hangs out with Kikuchi Akane (Tsunematsu Yuri) and Saginomiya Shiori (Nakamura Yurika). These girls have “youth” in abundance and it is their strongest weapon. But they simply fritter away their passing youth.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/jyoshimuda

Wake Atte Kasei ni Sumimashita ~ Erabareshi 4-nin
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Saturdays, 25 January 2020
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu (Meishi Game, Ubai Ai Fuyu, Renai Dorama o Mouichido)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Takahashi Katsumi, Yashima Norito, Nakamura Toru (Ep 1), Kaname Jun (Ep 2), Hirosue Ryoko (Ep 3), Yamoto Yuma (Ep 4), Saito Takumi (Ep 5), Miura Shohei (Ep 6), Asaka Kodai, Asuka Kirara, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Onozuka Hayato, Kasahara Hideyuki, Kato Ryo, Kote Shinya, Sakiyama Tsubasa, Shiraishi Sei, Suga Kenta, Takaoka Saki, Taketatsu Ayana, Tamashiro Tina, Tokunaga Eri, Maruyama Tomomi, Minemura Rie, Morita Kanro, Yamaguchi Sayaka
Synopsis: Scientists pin the future of humanity on first sending a select group of four to Mars in order to make the migration to the planet in 2030 a reality.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/erabareshi4nin

Kotaki Kyoudai to Shikuhakku
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriter: Nogi Akiko (Unnatural, Kemono ni Narenai Watashitachi, Juhan Shuttai)
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Furutachi Kanji, Takito Kenichi, Yoshine Kyoko, Ichikawa Mikako, Kadowaki Mugi, Kawashima Ririka, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Kishii Yukino, Nakamura Yuko, Mochizuki Ayumu, Kobayashi Kaoru, Kudo Kankuro
Synopsis: Big brother Ichiro (Furutachi Kanji) used to be an English teacher at a cram school but is currently unemployed and living modestly. He enjoys going to the coffee shop Shabadaba. He always tries to chat up Sacchan (Yoshine Kyoko), the cute part-timer at the shop, but his attempts never go well and end up in vain. One day, Ichiro’s younger brother Jiro (Takito Kenichi) suddenly moves into his house. This is the first time in eight years that the brothers are meeting ever since Ichiro announced that he was disowning Jiro. Ichiro wonders about the sudden visit. When he learns about an accident that happen just before Jiro came, he heads to the scene in a panic and encounters the victim, who is a man called Murata. He is asked by Murata to go to a meeting place in his stead. The two brothers see a woman show up at the meeting place and are at a loss for words … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kotaki

Kokoro no Kizu o Iyasu to Iu Koto
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 18 January 2020
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Kuwahara Ryoko
Cast: Emoto Tasuku, Ono Machiko, Hamada Gaku, Moriyama Naotaro, Cho Tamiyasu, Asaka Kodai, Kamikawa Shusaku, Hamada Mari, Hiraiwa Kami, Ishibashi Ryo, Kimura Midoriko, Kondo Masaomi
Synopsis: An Kazutaka (Emoto Tasuku) is a young, bashful psychiatrist whose jazz piano skills are as good as a pro. He also has a love for records and books. He searches for his place in the world in his youth. But when he meets the cheerful Shuko (Ono Machiko), who becomes his wife, he finally feels at peace with himself. Right after they have their first child, the Great Hanshin Earthquake strikes. Although his family is affected by the disaster, he begins to search for what he can do as a psychiatrist. As he listens to the stories of disaster victims, he realises that he can help not by treating them, but restoring their capacity to heal. Later on, he compiles his observations of the disaster-hit area as a psychiatrist into a book, and wins a prize for social sciences. He sees this as a positive sign. However, one day when he is 39, he discovers that he has cancer.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/dodra/kokoro

Karera o Mireba Wakaru Koto
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2020
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Sawaki Mahiro
Cast: Nakayama Miho, Kimura Tae, Oshima Yuko, Takahashi Yuto, Sakuma Yui, Nanase Kou, Kasahara Hideyuki, Komakine Ryusuke, Horiuchi Keiko, Katsura, Katase Nana, Takahashi Keiko (guest star), Kataoka Tsurutaro (guest star), Kamiji Yusuke, Nagano Hiroshi, Namase Katsuhisa
Synopsis: Uchida Momoko (Nakayama Miho) lives on the top floor of an apartment building in Futako Tamagawa. She is a manga artist popular for her sensual work. She has a new husband Kaito (Namase Katsuhisa) and a son (Takahashi Yuto) who is a university student. Momoko’s friend Tomizawa Mizuki (Kimura Tae) lives in the same apartment building. She is a career woman who relieves her stress at her regular dining bar. One day a newly married couple move into one of the apartments. The man is Kamoi Yosuke (Nagano Hiroshi), the ex-husband that Momoko divorced 20 years ago and his new wife is Rumi (Oshima Yuko). It is rare for a former husband and wife to remarry and become neighbours. Furthermore, the arrival of this new couple brings a “secret” that Momoko and Mizuki have into the open. The relationships between these three wives and three families begin to take the shape of more than mere neighbours … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/karera

Top Knife ~ Tensai Nougekai no Jouken
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Hayashi Koji (Headhunter, Boss Series, Iryu Team Medical Dragon Series)
Original Work: Top Knife by Hayashi Koji
Genre: Medical
Cast: Amami Yuki, Shiina Kippei, Hirose Alice, Nagayama Kento, Furukawa Yuta, Miura Tomokazu
Synopsis: Miyama Yoko (Amami Yuki) leads Toto Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department which brings together surgical geniuses who are a select group among surgeons. These top doctors are constantly expected to be perfect and have to deal with the pressure that the slightest mistake could mean the difference between a patient’s life or death. A specialist in brain aneurysms, Yoko puts her patients’ lives above all else but feels guilty for abandoning her family. Her colleague Kuroiwa Kengo (Shiina Kippei), a top neurosurgeon who has saved people’s lives through his work, believes he deserves priority for everything else and hungers for love. Self-proclaimed genius Nishigori Takuma (Nagayama Kento) can handle both surgery and catheter. Although he has absolute confidence in his surgical skills, he is actually an insecure mess deep down. Then there is medical resident Kozukue Sachiko (Hirose Alice) who has been touted to as a prodigy since young and lived the life of one who would be top among the top, but is completely hopeless.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/topknife

Alibi Kuzushi Uketamawarimasu
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 1 February 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Scriptwriter: Izumi Yoshihiro (Shudan Sasen!, Todome no Kiss, Aogeba Toutoshi)
Original Work: Alibi Kuzushi Uketamawarimasu by Oyama Seiichiro
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Hamabe Minami, Yasuda Ken, Narita Ryo
Synopsis: 20-year-old Mitani Tokino (Hamabe Minami) runs a clock shop on a street far from the city centre. Besides repairing clocks at the shop which she inherited from her grandfather, the inquisitive Tokino is also a well-known closet sleuth. She will chip away at watertight alibis related to clocks and time for 5,000 yen on each occasion, and get to the bottom of the truth. Saji Yoshiyuki (Yasuda Ken), a career police officer with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, was demoted to Nano Prefectural Police Headquarters after having the tables turned on him in his attempt to expose the corruption of an opposing faction. He ends up lodging at the main house behind Tokino’s clock shop in an unexpected turn of events. After feeling terribly conflicted, the proud Saji secretly leaks investigation information and asks Tokino to undermine their alibis. Although he complains, he finds himself becoming a regular client and they partner to solve cases.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/alibi

Kirin ga Kuru
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 January 2020
Station: NHK
Scriptwriter: Ikehata Shunsaku (Soroban Samurai Kaze no Ichibei, Natsume Soseki no Tsuma, Kamogawa Shokudo)
Genre: Period
Cast: Hasegawa Hiroki, Kadowaki Mugi, Okamura Takashi, Ishikawa Sayuri, Nishimura Masahiko, Kawaguchi Haruna, Takahashi Katsunori, Uesugi Shozo, Omi Toshinori, Ito Hideaki, Sometani Shota, Sakai Masaaki, Motoki Masahiro, Kimura Fumino, Minami Kaho, Murata Takehiro, Tokushige Satoshi, Kataoka Ainosuke, Dan Rei, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Takito Kenichi, Tanihara Shosuke, Mashima Hidekazu, Yoshida Kotaro, Ichikawa Ebizo (narrator), Ono Machiko, Mukai Osamu, Kazama Shunsuke, Ibuki Goro
Synopsis: After the Onin War, the world is plunged into chaos. Amid this situation, heroes of the warring states begin to emerge in an attempt to unify the country and rule in these turbulent times. In the mid-1540s, there is a young wandering samurai in Mino which is strategically located between the East and West. His name is Akechi Mitsuhide (Hasegawa Hiroki). At this time, there is plenty of internal strife within the Toki clan which rules Mino. Surrounded by the Oda of Owari, the Imagawa of Suruga and the Asakura of Echizen, Mino has constantly faced the risk of invasion. Mitsuhide is pulled into battle and destroys the enemy. His bravery as well as stratagem catches the attention of Saito Toshimasa, the chief retainer of the Toki clan, and he is singled out. This man who is also known as Saito Dosan (Motoki Masahiro) will go on to takeover the Toki and make Mino his own.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/kirin

Theseus no Fune
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 January 2020
Station: TBS
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Maki (Itsuka Kono Ame ga Yamu Hi Made, Asa ga Kuru, Kekkonshiki no Zenjitsu ni)
Original Work: Theseus no Fune by Higashimoto Toshiya
Genre: Mystery
Cast: Takuechi Ryoma, Eikura Nana, Ando Masanobu, Kanjiya Shihori, Ashina Sei, Ryusei Ryo, Seiya, Konno Hiroki, Banka Tenta, Shiratori Tamaki, Ueno Juri (guest star), Santamaria Yusuke, Sasano Takashi, Musaka Naomasa, Aso Yumi, Suzuki Ryohei
Synopsis: Tamura Shin (Takuechi Ryoma) is a young man who has been pursuing the mystery of the murder that his father Sano Bungo (Suzuki Ryohei), a police officer, caused and changed the fate of their family. Ever since his father’s arrest, Shin and his mother Kazuko (Eikura Nana) have been criticised by the public and had to live in hiding. One day, Shin is told by his beloved wife Yuki (Ueno Juri) to try and give his father the benefit of the doubt, and he decides to meet his father who is in prison. However, when he heads to the old crime scene, he is shrouded by a sudden mist and ends up going back in time to the past. Shin finds himself in the year 1989 – right before the murder took place. The crime scene has become a snowy village. At this village, Shin sees the warm smiling faces of his own family. If he stops his father’s case, he will not lose them. This spurs him to challenge the taboo of changing the past.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/theseusnofune
Preview: Theseus no Fune Teaser

Toudori Nozaki Shuhei Season 2
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 January 2020
Network: WOWOW
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei, Shizumanu Taiyo, Lady Joker)
Original Work: Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei by Shu Ryoka
Genre: Corporate
Cast: Oda Yuji, Matsushima Nanako, Kazama Shunsuke, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Kishitani Goro, Takimoto Miori, Suruga Taro, Izumi Rika, Kobayashi Katsuya, Watanabe Shota, Miura Masaki, Koichi Mantaro, Nomaguchi Toru, Nishida Naomi, Aijima Kazuyuki, Miyakawa Ichirota, Ukaji Takashi, Furuya Ikkou 　
Synopsis: Three years after Ozora Bank was nationalised, there are still no signs of a turnaround. Nozaki Shuhei (Oda Yuji), who previously exposed the bank’s illegal dealings as an auditor, becomes its president in an unconventional promotion. During this time, he had been involved in many corporate restructuring efforts through the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan and was appointed because of his resourcefulness. In a bid to restore the confidence and pride of the bank employees who have been demoralised by the performance-based culture and layoffs, Nozaki sets his sights of building a bank that can contribute to society and launches reforms with managing director Tachikawa Shoko (Matsushima Nanako) and Ishihara Toshiyuki (Kazama Shunsuke) from the loan department. Then Kyogoku Haruki (Ozawa Yukiyoshi), a former elite government bureaucrat and the son of the former bank president, becomes a director. He plots with Shoko to oust Nozaki and take back the position his father had built up. Nozaki’s battle begins again … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/nozaki2
Related: Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei

Shiro demo Kuro demo Nai Sekai de Panda wa Warau
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 12 January 2020
Station: NTV
Scriptwriter: Sato Tomoharu (Rinshou Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri Series, Black Scandal, Last Cop)
Cast: Seino Nana, Yokohama Ryusei, Kaname Jun, Shiraishi Sei, Yamazaki Shigenori, Tsubaki Oniyakko, Yoshida Mizuki, Bando Ryota, Nagayama Takashi, Mizusawa Shingo, Matsuura Yuya, Steel Teppei, Asami Koshiro, Nakata Keisuke, Inori Kirara, Masu Takeshi, Fukuda Tenkyu, Yamaguchi Sayaka, Sato Jiro
Synopsis: Miss Panda (Seino Nana) is a mysterious woman with astounding physical ability. She has a keeper (Yokohama Ryusei) who manages her. One day, Miss Panda and her keeper receive a request from Mr No Compliance (Sato Jiro) to determine whether ambiguous cases in the world are right or wrong. The pair boldly attempt to expose the hidden truth that the police and media will not touch.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/shirokuro

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Date: From 9.00 p.m., 10 January 2020
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (Harassment Game, Kinkyuu Torishirabe Shitsu Series, Pandora Series)
Cast: Karasawa Toshiaki, Hirose Alice, Furukawa Yuki, Sano Shiro, Takashima Masahiro, Ishino Mako, Kita Noa, Nakama Yukie (guest star), Hagiwara Masato (guest star), Tsukamoto Takashi (guest star), Karata Erika (guest star)
Synopsis: One year has passed since Akitsu Wataru (Karasawa Toshiaki), the compliance director of Maruo Holdings which is an established major supermarket chain, took responsibility for the takeover of the company headquarters and assumed the position of branch manager of Maruo Supermarket’s Hakodate branch in Hokkaido. He suddenly receives a phone call from Wakita Haruo (Takashima Masahiro) who is now the CEO. Wakita has an urgent mission for him. He wants Akitsu to solve a problem that happened at the Minato Mirai branch as a temporary specially appointed compliance officer. Akitsu rushes to Yokohama and learns from the branch manager Kajikawa Masao (Tsukamoto Takashi) that an employee called Kano Hatsumi (Karata Erika) tried to kill herself by jumping off the rooftop of the store late in the night two days ago. She survived and has been hospitalised but says she did this because she was forced to work overtime by the assistant store manager Nakamura Hajime (Hagiwara Masato). Although Nakamura denies this, Hatsumi seems to have consulted Kajikawa. Akitsu determines that it is only a matter of time before the matter leaks out and heads to the headquarters to quickly announce this publicly. However, Mizutani Itsuro (Sano Shiro) has become the director of compliance. Akitsu’s former subordinate Takamura Makoto (Hirose Alice) has trouble with Mizutani’s lack of drive. Together with the legal adviser Yazawa Kotaro (Furukawa Yuki) invited by Akitsu, the former members work to settle the controversy. The press conference convened by Wakita results in stirs up a storm of criticism online and on television talk shows. There is also a drastic decline in customers at all outlets. Kajikawa declares that they should have Nakamura resign. At this juncture, the organisation that Akitsu fears the most swings into action. Known as Katoku, it is special unit of elite inspectors set up by the Tokyo and Osaka labour bureaus to eliminate overwork. Samejima Saeko (Nakama Yukie), the fearsome “man-eating shark” who busts big companies with an unusual combativeness, shows up at the Minato Mirai branch. She starts a thorough on-site inspection, suspecting poor working conditions, and soon gets to the truth hidden behind the suicide controversy that was considered to be an abuse of authority. Will Akitsu be able to save Maruo Holdings?
Official Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/harassmentgame

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• Harassment Game

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/alive

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January 2020

Network
Fuji TV

Story
Onda Kokoro is an oncologist who works for Yokohama Minato General Hospital. She is busy every day with cancer patients. Called Dr Onkoro for short by the people around her, she has been teased that she was born for this path. She got married to Takumi, whom she had known since she was a student, and they had a son. Life was going smoothly for her. But three months ago, her husband fell in an accident and remained unconsciousness even though he underwent emergency surgery. Although Kokoro puts on a brave face at work, she still has not been able to accept reality. On this day, Kokoro informs Kosaka Tamiyo, a patient that she is in charge of, that her cancer has relapsed. But Tamiyo merely cracks a joke and leaves. Kokoro has barely any time for a breather before she is notified about an emergency at the chemotherapy room. She rushes over with Yuki Ryo, a resident on his first day at the oncology department. A first-time male patient has collapsed. Even though he recovers after they treat him, Kokoro feels something is wrong when she takes a look at the patient’s medical records accompanied by a referral letter. She tries to recommend a biopsy to the head of the gastroenterology department who is the doctor in charge. However, she is told not to examine someone else’s patient without permission. After Kokoro finishes work, she heads to another hospital to visit her husband. Then she goes to pick up their son Ren. When they get home, her father-in-law Kyotaro greets them although she did not know that he was going to come over. Kokoro has had no breathing space at work or at home and this has been her routine lately. Several days later, Kokoro orders tests for that male patient and the results confirm what she had expected. She tries to confirm this with the doctor in charge but is told not to run a check as she likes. Kokoro is about to protest when a female doctor whom she has never seen before, steps forward to say she was the one who did it. This woman is Kajiyama Kaoru, a gastroenterologist who has transferred to work at the hospital. Kaoru understands the need for oncology as a surgeon and gives emotional support with her sunny personality as a colleague. She becomes a dear friend whom Kokoro feels is a sudden ray of light in her personal and professional life … …

Characters
Matsushita Nao as Onda Kokoro
She aspired to be a doctor because she wanted a career saving people, and went to medical school on a scholarship. After graduation, she first joined the radiology department. But her experience saving a cancer patient through diagnostic imaging made her think of becoming a cancer specialist. She decided to study oncology and transfer to the oncology department. She is one of the few cancer specialists in Japan. While she hates to lose and also has a bold side, she is able to empathise with her patients. She got married to Takumi, whom she had known since she was a student, and they had a son called Ren. Life was going smoothly for her. But three months ago, her husband fell in an accident. He is still in a coma even though he had emergency surgery.

Kimura Yoshino as Kajiyama Kaoru
A competent gastroenterologist. She had a strong will to become a doctor and went to a state-run medical school. She has been a gastroenterologist for 15 years. She has a reputation for her good skills and has performed many surgeries. She is very knowledgeable about cancer as a doctor who excises cancer with effective procedures especially for pancreatic cancer which is known as the silent killer. Although she is always calm and collected, and able to make the right judgment in a split second, she surprises the people around her with her daring personality. She constantly gets into romantic relationships with men who are difficult to deal with. One day, she transfers to the hospital where Onda Kokoro works at. She appreciates Kokoro’s knowledge and position as an oncologist and becomes a buddy who supports Kokoro in surgical care. However, there is a secret that she can never tell Kokoro.

Kiyohara Sho as Yuki Ryo
A second-year doctor in training. After making the rounds of various departments, he is placed in the oncology department for his final term. He has a cool and brusque personality. But he is actually an awkward person with a passion deep down. He is often misunderstood because he speaks his mind. He comes from a family of surgeons and aspires to be a surgeon too. The reason why he chose the oncology department during his residency is because he believes he will treat cancer as a surgeon and has been studying surgery when he has spare time, but … …

Nakamura Shunsuke as Onda Takumi
Onda Kokoro’s husband. They became acquainted while in school and are a love match. A genial and kind man who is a novelist albeit a struggling one. Because of that, Kokoro has to support the family while he does his best with the housework and parenting. One day, he fell in an accident and received emergency surgery but still had not regained consciousness. This completely changes the happy Onda family.

Miura Shohei as Sekikawa Ryuichi
A mysterious young man who is full of charm. He shows up in front of Kajiyama Kaoru one day and tries to get close to her at every opportunity. He seems to have some hidden agenda but no one knows his true intentions.

Tanabe Seiichi as Sudo Susumu
The deputy chief of the gastroenterology department at Kanto Medical University Hospital where Kajiyama Kaoru used to work before she transferred to Yokohama Minato General Hospital. Kaoru’s former boss. An outstanding gastroenterologist who is sharp and also sincere as a doctor. He is the most popular person in the hospital. Even after Kaoru changed hospitals, he offers advice in areas including surgery.

Kitaoji Kinya as Onda Kyotaro
Onda Kokoro’s father-in-law. A veteran scriptwriter who has produced many TV drama hits. He is a mischievous person with a generous heart. His wife passed away when his son Takumi was still a child and he brought him up on his own. That is why he is better at cooking as well as sewing than Kokoro who left the housework to Takumi. He tries to help out while his son is hospitalised and frequently comes to the house to prepare dinner and play with his dear grandson. At the same time, he seems to be realistic about his son’s future.

Scriptwriter
Kuromitsu Yasuko (Scandal Senmon Bengoshi Queen, Keiji Yugami, Love Song)

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© jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/karera

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2020

Network
WOWOW

Story
Uchida Momoko, a manga artist popular for her sensual work, lives on the top floor of a swanky apartment building in Futako Tamagawa. She has a new husband Kaito and a son Shuji who is a university student. Tomizawa Mizuki and her husband Ichita are a family of five in the same apartment building. Momoko and Mizuki, who is a career woman, are of the same age and have become friends. They catch up with each other and relieve stress at their regular dining bar. One day, a newly married couple moves into one of the apartments. The man is Kamoi Yosuke, the ex-husband that Momoko divorced 20 years ago and his new wife is Rumi. It is rare for a former husband and wife to remarry and become neighbours. Furthermore, the arrival of this new couple brings a “secret” that Momoko and Mizuki have into the open. The relationships between these three wives and three families begin to take the shape of more than mere neighbours … …

Characters
Nakayama Miho as Uchida Momoko
A popular manga artist whose work has been serialised in a monthly magazine. At home, she strives to do her duty as a wife and mother.

Kimura Tae as Tomizawa Mizuki
A career woman who is the head of the damage insurance division at a leading insurance company. She lives with her husband, their two children and her mother. She behaves like the man of the house at home and no longer feels attracted to her husband Ichita.

Oshima Yuko as Kamoi Rumi
A nurse. She has a carefree personality but cannot hide her agitation at living in the same apartment building as her husband Yosuke’s ex-wife.

Kamiji Yusuke as Tomizawa Ichita
Tomizawa Mizuki’s husband who is three years her junior. A former professional boxer who is a house husband now. He loves cooking so much that he posts on recipe sites. Although he is a devoted husband who loves his wife even after more than 20 years of marriage, he is troubled that they have not been having sex.

Nagano Hiroshi as Kamoi Yosuke
Uchida Momoko’s ex-husband. He used to work for a securities firm but left his job. He is now a care worker at a day-care facility at the recommendation of Rumi whom he met later. Although his life with Rumi as newly weds is going well, they unexpectedly come to live in the same apartment building as Momoko. He is uncomfortable with his current wife and ex-wife seeing each other on a fairly regular basis.

Namase Katsuhisa as Uchida Kaito
Uchida Momoko’s husband. He owns a company that has grown rapidly in the F&B industry. He plays the good husband and father at home but there are constant rumours in the company about his relationships with women.

Scriptwriter
Sawaki Mahiro

Click here for photos from the press conference.

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Official Website
www.ntv.co.jp/topknife

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 January 2020

Network
NTV

Story
The renowned neurosurgeon Miyama Yoko is the “empress” at Tohto General Hospital. She has been pushed into supervising three new doctors by Imadegawa Takao, the head of the neurosurgery department, and this has been stressing her out. The hospital’s neurosurgery department brings together surgical geniuses who are a select group among surgeons. These top doctors are constantly expected to be perfect and have to deal with the pressure that the slightest mistake could mean the difference between a patient’s life or death. The ones that will be reporting to her are Kuroiwa Kengo, a doctor with worldwide fame who is also a notorious womanizer; Nishigori Takuma, a genius who can handle both surgery and catheter and prefers doing operations over eating; and Kozukue Sachiko, a confident specialist doctor in training who graduated at the top of her class in medical school but does not realise her performance on the job is below satisfactory. One day, not long after starting her new job, Sachiko is put in charge of an emergency case. However, she freezes but Yoko shows up to save the patient with unerring judgment and brilliant skill. Yoko quickly gets irritated with Sachiko whom she finds useless. Meanwhile, the nurses are gossiping about a possible clash between the “empress” and Kuroiwa and Nishigoro who are both top surgeons. Even though they have the best skills, there is something awkward and irregular about these doctors. What did they sacrifice to learn how to save people?

Characters
Amami Yuki as Miyama Yoko
A specialist in brain aneurysms at Tohto General Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department. She has been told by Imadegawa Takao, the head of the department, to take a supervisory role and bring the department together. She believes that as a neurosurgeon, she can change a patient’s life through her ability. She is aware of the responsibility and importance of this, and puts her patients’ lives above all else but feels guilty for abandoning her family.

Shiina Kippei as Kuroiwa Kengo
A specialist in brain tumours at Tohto General Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department. A top neurosurgeon who is frequently covered in the media. He puts himself first. Because he has saved the lives of all sorts of people through his work, he believes he deserves priority for everything else.

Hirose Alice as Kozukue Sachiko
A specialist doctor in training at Tohto General Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department. Touted to as a prodigy since young, she has lived the life of one who would be top among the top, taking it for granted that she would be the best in everything. She became a doctor because she scored high and medicine was the hardest. When she joins the hospital, it is gossiped that she is a newbie with utterly hopeless practical skills. But she is oblivious to this. She also has not experienced any romance until she has her first love at the age of 26.

Nagayama Kento as Nishigori Takuma
A genius at Tohto General Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department who can handle both surgery and catheter. Although he has absolute confidence in his surgical skills, he is actually an insecure mess deep down. He is a solitary doctor who will neither open up to his colleagues nor patients.

Miura Tomokazu as Imadegawa Takao
The head of at Tohto General Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department. He is an ordinary doctor but he is good at placing the right people in the right jobs. He is careful of the people around him and often gets talkative when he tries to break the tension. However, there are times when he ends up hurting people by saying what they least want to hear because of his perceptiveness. In fact, he has a secret for bring these talented doctors together at the neurosurgery department … …

Scriptwriter
Kuromitsu Yasuko (Scandal Senmon Bengoshi Queen, Keiji Yugami, Love Song)

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