Official Website
www.fujitv.co.jp/tokyolovestory

Broadcast
From 29 April 2020 (updated on Wednesdays)

Network
Fuji on Demand & Amazon Prime

Story
Nagao Kanji works for an advertising agency in his hometown of Ehime Prefecture. He is assigned to the sales department of its Tokyo headquarters. He is introduced by the department manager Waga Natsuki to a colleague Akana Rika who is assigned to help him with his work. Kanji is immediately invited to drinks by Mikami Kenichi, a former high school classmate from his hometown who is now in Tokyo. Sekiguchi Satomi whom Kanji has always had feelings for also comes, and he yearns for this reunion. However, Rika calls him about delivering his wallet which he had left in office. She ends up joining them when she comes over. On the way back, Rika tells Kanji out of the blue, “Shall we kiss?” and he is rattled. She offers to buy him lunch in exchange. However, there have been rumours in office that Rika is in a relationship with their boss Waga. That night results in the three ex-classmates to start interacting again while the gentle but indecisive Kanji’s relationship with Rika gradually evolves from mere workplace colleagues to something more … …

Characters
Ito Kentaro as Nagao Kanji
He comes from Ehime Prefecture and works for an advertising agency. He is transferred to the agency’s Tokyo headquarters and comes up to Tokyo. He has had an unrequited crush on his ex-classmate Sekiguchi Satomi since high school days. When he meets her again in Tokyo, he is secretly excited.

Ishibashi Shizuka as Akana Rika
Born in Shibuya in Tokyo, she has gone straight on from kindergarten to a private university without having to take an entrance exam. A naive young lady who behaves with abandon and lives according to her feelings. At first, she gets involved with Nagao Kanji out of curiosity and then proactively goes after him.

Kiyohara Sho as Mikami Kenichi
Nagao Kanji’s childhood friend. He comes from Ehime Prefecture and is a medical student attending medical college in Tokyo. He is flashy and the type who gets women’s attention because he has a way with them. Although he seems like he is successful in life, he has all sorts of internal conflicts.

Ishii Anna as Sekiguchi Satomi
Nagao Kanji and Mikami Kenichi’s high school classmate. She comes from Ehime Prefecture and is working at a nursery school in Tokyo. A serious, sincere, sensible and conservative A student. Although she will not admit it herself, she has secretly liked Mikami Kenichi since high school days.

Original Work
Tokyo Love Story by Saimon Fumi

Scriptwriter
Kitagawa Ayako (Watashi ni XX Shinasai, Onna Kudoki Meshi Series, Ofukou-san)

Theme Song
Touka by Vaundy

Related Post:

• Tokyo Love Story (2020) CM

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

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 18 April 2020

Network
WOWOW

Story
Tomishima Heita is a young employee who has been with a mid-sized construction company for four years, and loves construction site. One day, Heita is suddenly ordered to transfer to the General Affairs Department which is a different line of work. It is a unit in charge of winning large public works contracts and mocked as the Bid-Rigging Department. Together with a weary-looking department manager Kanematsu Iwao, senior colleagues Nishida Goro and Shibata Risa, and a shrewd but inscrutable managing director Ogata Soji, Heita aims to secure a public works contract worth 200 million yen. Is bid-rigging a necessary evil? As his interactions with a fixer deepens, he sees desire and obligatory ties with his own eyes. Even though Heita struggles between his ideals and reality, he finds his work, which controls the company’s fate, rewarding. Meanwhile, their company is in the lead with a bold technical innovation in its bid. However, the experienced management of a rival company stands in their way. To make matters worse, the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office starts to look into collusive bidding involving influential politicians and the investigation even extends to Heita. What will happen to him and the company?

Characters
Kamiki Ryunosuke as Tomishima Heita
A young employee who has been with Ikematsu-gumi, a mid-sized construction company for four years. He is awkward but works conscientiously at construction sites. Then one day, he is transferred to the General Affairs Department. He has been dating his girlfriend Nomura Moe since university but their relationship starts to get strained after his transfer to the General Affairs Department.

Nakamura Shido as Nishida Goro
The deputy manager of Ikematsu-gumi’s General Affairs Department. He has been in the same department for a long time and has vast experience in contracts. He is a dependable senior and like Tomishima Heita’s mentor. He joined the company at the same time as Shibata Risa.

Tsuchiya Tao as Nomura Moe
Tomishima Heita’s girlfriend. She works at the sales division of Hakusui Bank’s Shinjuku branch as a teller. She worries about Heita will become complicit in bid-rigging. She consults her boss Sonoda Shunichi about her relationship with Heita but … …

Koyuki as Shibata Risa
The only woman in Ikematsu-gumi’s General Affairs Department. She is well-informed because she has been in the same department for a long time and eases the friction with superiors. She joined the company at the same time as Nishida Goro.

Shibata Kyohei as Mitsuhashi Manzo
A fixer who operates behind the scenes in bid-rigging in the construction industry, and the consultant to the construction company Yamadate-gumi. He is the younger brother-in-law of the influential politician Shiroyama Kazuhiko who supports highway construction interests. He grows close to Tomishima Heita whom he met through Ogata Soji because they are from the same hometown.

Mukai Osamu as Sonoda Shunichi
The deputy manager of the loans division at Hakusui Bank’s Shinjuku branch. He has a promising future. He becomes the confidant of his subordinate Nomura Moe.

Ishimaru Kanji as Naito Hajime
The deputy manager of Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s Special Investigation Department. He is pursuing the influential politician Shiroyama Kazuhiko for bid-rigging involving government officials.

Uchino Masaaki as Ogata Soji
The managing director of Ikematsu-gumi. He was headhunted by Ikematsu-gumi’s previous CEO to join the company when he was a member of the board at a major construction company. He is a formidable man who supports the company and it is said “Ikematsu-gumi has Ogata”. He is the one who brought Tomishima Heita over to the General Affairs Department.

Original Work
Tetsu no Hone by Ikeido Jun

Scriptwriters
Maekawa Yoichi (Akira to Akira, Shizumanu Taiyo, Lady Joker)

Directors
Suzuki Kosuke, Kitano Takashi

© jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.nhk.jp/p/ts/12VY8MZMX2

Broadcast
From 11.40 p.m., 4 & 8 May 2020, From 11.15 p.m., 5 May 2020

Kokoro wa Honolulu, Kare ni wa Peanut Butter
Story: Kanbayashi Goro (Mitsushima Shinnosuke) and Morimoto Chiaki (Maeda Aki) are engaged. They have been in a long distance romance because Goro relocated for work. Then Chiaki learns that the biggest event of her life – their wedding ceremony in Hawaii which was supposed to take place in spring – has to be cancelled due to the declaration of a state of emergency. She frets about things not working out and feels desolate since they cannot even meet on dates. Despite these feelings, the only way Chiaki and Goro can communicate now is through video chat, and they get all lovey dovey. However, they begin to drift apart due to differences in opinion. The gulf between them becomes obvious and grows until they eventually break up?!
Cast: Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Maeda Aki
Scriptwriter: Yajima Koichiro (Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai, Kenkou de Bunkatekina Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu, Aino Kekkon Soudanjo)

Sayonara My Way!!
Story: Shishido Michio (Kohinata Fumiyo) has just lost Maiko (Takeshita Keiko), his wife of 40 years to stroke. Nevertheless, he endures his grief and carries on conscientiously doing his work at the insurance agency that he runs. One day, Michio receives a video call on the computer he uses for work. When he looks at screen, he sees Maiko who is supposed to be dead. Things get more shockingly bizarre. Maiko thrusts divorce papers at him through the screen! Why has she appeared as a ghost in front of him?
Cast: Kohinata Fumiyo, Takeshita Keiko
Scriptwriter: Iketani Masao

Ten Kou Sei
Story: As Shibasaki Kou (Shibasaki Kou), Muro Tsuyoshi (Muro Tsuyoshi) and Takahashi Issei (Takahashi Issei) stay home and self-isolate, their desire to meet grows stronger. For some reason, this desire to meet causes something strange to happen. Shibasaki swaps bodies with Muro. This time, she even swaps bodies with Takahashi, creating utter chaos and confusion. Wanting to meet someone is not supposed turn out like this! How will the three of them be able to return to their original bodies?
Cast: Shibasaki Kou, Muro Tsuyoshi, Takahashi Issei
Scriptwriter: Morishita Yoshiko (Dakara Watashi wa Oshimashita, Gibo to Musume no Blues Series, Tenno no Ryoriban)

Related Post:

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Official Website
www.nhk.or.jp/yell

Broadcast
From 8.00 a.m., Mondays – Saturdays, 30 March 2020

Network
NHK

Story
During the Taisho era in 1909, a long-awaited baby boy was born to the Koyama family which has run a kimono shop for generations in Fukushima Prefecture. He would later become the talented composer Koyama Yuichi who wrote many famous songs. Although Yuichi was brought up as the heir of the business, he was a shy and timid boy who was easily bullied. In fact, he was rather dreamy and considered a child with no redeeming traits by the people around him. However, when Yuichi starts learning songwriting at the suggestion of his form teacher Todo Kiyoharu, it sparks joy and unleashes his hidden talent in composing music. One day, Murano Tetsuo, Yuichi’s childhood friend and the neighbourhood bully, visits to tell him about an international songwriting competition. Yuichi secretly puts his name down for the songwriting competition. This would change his destiny. He wins runner-up for the song he entered for the competition. As a result, he gets to know Sekiuchi Oto, a female student from Toyohashi. Oto has decided that she wants to be a singer after happening to see the opera singer Futaura Tamaki perform in a church. Despite the long distance between them – Fukushima and Toyohashi – the two of them tie the knot. When Yuichi and Oto come to Tokyo, they meet all sorts of people and weather a dark period to produce a number of hit songs. However, war breaks out and Yuichi has to compose wartime songs at the army’s request. It pains him to know that young men are dying in battles after singing the songs he wrote. After the war, the country begins to recover amid the chaos. The couple crete a new era of music in an attempt to encourage the wounded through the power of music.

Characters
Kubota Masataka as Koyama Yuichi
The eldest son of a family that has run a kimono shop for generations in Fukushima Prefecture. He was a timid boy who was easily bullied. But he shows his hidden talent when he comes across music and starts to learn songwriting on his own. He learns about the kimono trade because of the expectations placed on him as the son and heir. Although he works at the bank that his uncle runs, he cannot cut off the feelings he has for music. Meanwhile, he makes the acquaintance of Sekiuchi Oto who wants to be a singer and they start corresponding. He falls in love and finally decides to make a career in music together with her.

Nikaido Fumi as Sekiuchi Oto
The second of three daughters of the Sekiuchi family which manufactures and trades in horse harnesses in Toyohashi City. She dreams of standing on stage as a professional singer some day. She learns through the newspapers that a young man Koyama Yuichi who lives in Fukushima Prefecture has won a prize in a British songwriting competition and starts corresponding with him through letters. The two of the get married and she enrols in a music college to learn singing seriously. She believes in her husband’s talent more than anyone else. She gives him loud pep talks and pursues her dream to become a singer despite the various difficulties she encounters in that period.

Karasawa Toshiaki as Koyama Saburo
Koyama Yuichi’s father. The fourth generation owner of the kimono shop Kitaichi. He never thought that he would take over the family business because he was the third son. However, his two older brothers passed away and he ended up inheriting the shop.He wants his children to follow their own passion.

Kikuchi Momoko as Koyama Masa
Koyama Yuichi’s mother. She was born in Kawamata City which prospered because of the textile industry. She is caught between her older brother Mohei’s repeated demands to adopt one of her children and her husband Saburo’s desire to support Yuichi’s music career.

Mitsuishi Ken as Sekiuchi Yasutaka
Sekiuchi Oto’s father. He runs a company that primarily manufactures and sells horse harnesses to the military. He is a kind and good father to his three daughters Gin, Oto and Ume. He loves music and made his daughters learn all sorts of musical instruments. When Oto was 11 years old, he got involved in an accident while he was on a business trip and passed away.

Yakushimaru Hiroko as Sekiuchi Mitsuko
Sekiuchi Oto’s mother. She believed women should be independent in the new era and she wants to let her three daughters do what they like.

Shibasaki Kou as Futaura Tamaki
An opera singer who is active on the world stage and becomes the person who inspires Sekiuchi Oto to be a professional singer.

Kazama Morio as Kondo Mohei
Koyama Masa’s older brother. He is a businessman who runs a bank in Kawamata City, Fukushima Prefecture. He has no children and wants to adopt one of his sister’s two sons into his family.

Scriptwriters
Shimizu Yukako (Watashi Teiji de Kaerimasu, Poison Daughter Holy Mother)
Shimada Ureha (Babysitter Gin!, Sumika Sumire)
Yoshida Teruyuki

Directors
Yoshida Teruyuki, Matsuzono Takehiro

Theme Song
Hoshikage no Yell by GReeeeN

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Date: From 9.00 p.m., 9 May 2020
Original Work: Shougen by Matsumoto Seichou
Scriptwriters: Asahara Yuzo (Tsuribaka Nisshi Series), Ishikawa Katsumi (Tsuribaka Nisshi Series)
Director: Asahara Yuzo
Cast: Tanihara Shosuke, Asaka Kodai, Nishida Naomi, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Horibe Keisuke, Yoshimura Kaito, Yamada Kanami, Takatsuki Sara
Synopsis: Ishino Teiichiro (Tanihara Shosuke) married his wife Sachiko (Nishida Naomi) and took over her family’s clinic in Kanazawa. Although he is a respected doctor and seems to have a happy family life with Sachiko and their two children (Yoshimura Kaito, Yamada Kanami), he has been seeing someone behind his wife’s back since three years ago. Furthermore, this person he has been having clandestine meetings with is a young man Umezawa Tomohisa (Asaka Kodai), a talented graduate student studying ceramic art at the art university in Kanazawa. One day, a detective investigating the murder of a woman visits Teiichiro. The man called Sugiyama Kozo (Horibe Keisuke) who was arrested on suspicion of murder, asserts that he has an alibi. He had met Teiichiro at the time it took place. In fact, Teiichiro was enjoying a tryst with Tomohisa on that day. He and Sugiyama happened to meet but he pretended not to recognise him. Fearing that his relationship with Tomohisa will be exposed, and driven to mental despair about losing both his family and job, Teiichiro ends up giving a false statement that he never met Sugiyama that day. Because of that, his peaceful life is shattered and he has to pay a terrible price that he had never anticipated for his affair.
Official Website: www.nhk.jp/p/ts/KNR11NPRW6

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Date: From 9.00 p.m., 10 May 2020
Original Work: Banka no Himawari: Bengonin Gomi Jinsuke by Fukuzawa Tetsuzo
Scriptwriter: Yoshimoto Masahiro (Iyasaretai Otoko, Onna no Naka ni Tanin, Kageriyuku Natsu)
Director: Hijikata Masato
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Kaname Jun, Fukuda Saki, Sato Kanta, Hotta Akane, Saito Satoru, Moriguchi Yoko, Terao Akira
Synopsis: Nitta Masato (Ito Atsushi) works at a Musashino Chuo Police Precinct police box. He realises that an elderly woman living on her own has been targeted in a phone scam involving a relative pretending to be in distress, and arrests a university student called Tachibana Kohei (Sato Kanta) who shows up to collect the cash. Kohei was approached about this “part-time job” by a female stranger and readily accepted it because he was in need of money. A crime is a crime even though he is not aware that he is an accomplice. After learning that Kohei is doing the “part-time job” to support life with his sick mother, Nitta asks the lawyer Gomi Jinsuke (Terao Akira) to defend Kohei. Although Gomi grumbles that the work Nitta brings to him is often trouble, he accepts the case. As a result, Kohei is quickly released on bail. However, they are not able to get to the mastermind. Kohei starts working again for a worried Matsusaka Shino (Moriguchi Yoko), the owner of a small restaurant where he used to be a part-timer. One night, he catches sight of Machida Mikako (Hotta Akane), the woman who got him involved in the phone scam. Hearing from Kohei that Mikako works at a night club under a former yakuza (Ono Yutaka), Nitta starts to investigate on his own in the belief that he can bust the group of swindlers even though Gomi refuses. However, Nitta’s investigation is quickly exposed and he is given a warning. Then another phone scam happens. This time, the elderly woman who was cheated dies after taking her own life. As Kohei’s own father was driven to suicide two years ago when he was cheated by a real estate company, he gets angry with the police for not taking action before the woman killed herself. After finishing his part-time job late one night, Kohei comes to a decision and heads to the hostess bar. He follows Mikako when she leaves the place after it closes. The next morning, Nitta is contacted about the discovery of a murdered woman at an disused factory. He learns that Kohei has been taken into custody as a murder suspect … …
Official Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/hakujitsu2

Related Post:

• Hakujitsu no Karasu

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Imawa no Kuni no Arisu
Date: 2020
Network: Netflix Japan
Genre: Suspense
Original Work: Imawa no Kuni no Arisu by Aso Haro
Scriptwriters: Watabe Yoshiki, Kuramitsu Yasuko (Scandal Senmon Bengoshi Queen, Tourist, Keiji Yugami), Sato Shinsuke
Cast: Yamazaki Kento, Tsuchiya Tao
Synopsis: Arisu Ryohei (Yamazaki Kento) is unemployed and frustrated with daily life which he finds unbearable. One day, while he is hanging around Tokyo with his two friends, a mysterious light radiates. When they realise it, all signs of life around them have vanished. However, a game begins one after another in an empty Tokyo where one wrong move will cause them their lives. Arisu and his friends have to fight tooth and nail in the face of challenges that defy logic. They encounter Usagi Yuzuha (Tsuchiya Tao) in the game … …
Website: www.netflix.com/jp/title/80200575

Dear Patient ~ Kizuna no Karute^*UPDATED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Medical suspense
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Dear Patient by Minami Kyoko
Scriptwriter: Arai Shuko (Nodoka no Niwa, Wagaya no Himitsu, Pretty ga Oosugiru)
Directors: Nishitani Shinichi, Fukui Mitsuhiro, Takeda Yusuke
Cast: Kanjiya Shihori, Uchida Yuki, Tanaka Tetsushi, Asaka Kodai, Takanashi Rin, Hamano Kenta, Nagai Masaru, Washio Machiko, Masu Takeshi, Ryu Raita, Ishiguro Ken, Asaka Mayumi, Hirata Mitsuru, Ibu Masato
Synopsis: At Sasai Memorial Hospital, where a hospital is seen as the hospitality industry and patients are priority, its doctors plagued with all sorts of problems. Mano Chiaki (Kanjiya Shihori), a young doctor, is stalked by a monster patient (Tanaka Tetsushi) who persistently harasses her. Her trusted senior, Hamaguchi Yoko (Uchida Yuki), has a cheerful personality and is liked by patients but worries about a huge medical lawsuit. Another fellow doctor keeps a certain distance from patients but still gets embroiled in a dispute. Will these doctors be able to find hope?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/drama10/dearpatient

Meiji Kaika: Shinjuro Tanteichou^*UPDATED*
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 2020
Station: NHK BS Premium
Genre: Period suspense
Episodes: 8
Original Work: Meiji Kaika Ango Torimonochou by Sakaguchi Ango
Scriptwriters: Komatsu Eriko (Daifugou Doushin, Itsumade mo Shiroi Hane, Hanamoyu), Ito Yasuro (Daifugou Doushin)
Directors: Kasaura Tomochika, Motoki Kazuhiro, Okano Hironobu
Cast: Fukushi Sota, Uchida Rio, Yamoto Yuma, Nakamura Yasuhi, Katsumura Masanobu, Tsurumi Shingo, Inamori Izumi, Takahashi Katsunori
Synopsis: The early days of the Meiji era was a period of massive change, and there were a high incidence of bizarre cases. The special investigator Yuki Shinjuro (Fukushi Sota), who has a good standing with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, returns to Japan after his travels abroad and is outspoken about the truth of these cases. Izumiyama Toranosuke, a former fencing student of Katsu Kaishu, loves making deductions about difficult cases. He is always treated disparagingly and cries to have the brains and eyes of Kaishu whom he admires. Shinjuro, Toranosuke and Kaishu draw all sorts of people to them including Kaishu’s gutsy wife Tami who was formerly a geisha; Rie (Uchida Rio), an influential merchant’s daughter who is in love with Shinjuro; Hananoya Inga, a writer of fiction of a style combining a facetious tone with elaborate structure; and the great police superintendent Hayami Seigen who considers Shinjuro a nuisance. As their case-solving progresses, the anxiety as well as love and hate that people have towards the new Meiji era manifests itself. Shinjuro, Rie and Toranosuke tangle with many important people of the period such as Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi through these cases, and grow up.
Website: –

Official Website
www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/nobu

Broadcast
From 12.00 a.m., Saturdays, 16 May 2020

Network
WOWOW

Story
Izakaya Nobu is located in a deserted alley in Kyoto. Despite its humble appearance, its front entrance is mysteriously connected to Aiteria, a parallel universe that looks like medieval Europe. The head chef Yazawa Nobuyuki and the cheerful and sharp waitress Senke Shinobu originally started the joint in Aiteria for the people of this world. A cold beer called Toriaezu Nama which did not exist in Aiteria and cuisine became popular and Nobu gradually began to do brisk business. Patrons from all walks of life including soldiers, craftsmen, merchants and nobles come to Nobu for a casual drink. They are greeted with delicious food and alcohol the likes of which they have never seen and they start to relax as they are released from the weariness of their day and enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Characters
Otani Ryohei as Yazawa Nobuyukii
The head chef of Izakaya Nobu who is devoted to food and a true artisan. He used to be the chef of the traditional Japanese restaurant Yukitsuna.

Takeda Rena as Senke Shinobu
A waitress and the poster girl of Izakaya Nobu. The daughter of the owner of the traditional Japanese restaurant Yukitsuna.

Shirasu Jin as Nicholas
A guard of the ancient city of Aiteria. Hans’ colleague who is well-informed on all sorts of things. He becomes a regular at Izakaya Nobu.

Kobayashi Yutaka as Hans
A guard of the ancient city of Aiteria. He visits Izakaya Nobu at the Nicholas’s invitation and is enchanted by the food.

Abe Shinnosuke as Berthold
The captain of the guards of Aiteria and superior of Hans and Nicholas. Hermina’s husband.

Hotta Akane as Hermina
Berthold’s wife. She later becomes a waitress at Izakaya Nobu.

Oshinari Shugo as Jean
A spy from the Eastern Kingdom of Oiria. He has come to Aiteria to survey its true state of affairs.

Namioka Kazuki as Gernot
A tax collector with a seat on Aiteria city council. He loves Senke Shinobu’s Napolitan spaghetti.

Sasai Eisuke as Bachschouf
The president of the city council, he wields immense power.

Yagi Arisa as Eleonora
The leader of the water transportation guild, Harpies Shanty, and a member of the city council.

Watabe Ryuhei as Godhardt
The leader of Water Dragon’s Scale, Aiteria’s largest guild, and a member of the city council.

Ogoe Yuki as Reinhold
The leader of Golden Willow’s Boat and a member of the city council.

Hayama Kana as Hildegard
The daughter of a viscount. Johan Gustav’s niece. She was brought up pampered and is slightly wilful.

Original Work
Isekai Izakaya Nobu by Semikawa Natsuya

Scriptwriter
Shinagawa Hiroshi

Director
Shinagawa Hiroshi

© jdramas.wordpress.com.

Official Website
www.nhk.or.jp/drama/dodra/ruu

Broadcast
From 9.00 p.m., 16 May 2020

Network
NHK

Story
On the last work day of 1999, loud excited cheers erupt in Oi & Co, a Tokyo trading company. Japan’s bullet train has secured preferential negotiating rights for Taiwan’s high speed rail rolling stock system in a major reversal. It is decided that Tada Haruka, an employee who has been with the company for four years, will be seconded to Taiwan for the project. Haruka has painful memories of her first visit to Taiwan one summer during her university days. She happened to make the acquaintance of a Taiwanese teenager called Eric and he gave her a tour of Taipei just for a day but could not be contacted after that. Haruka intended to find him but it was impossible and she suppressed her feelings for him. It has been six years since that day and she made herself a promise never to go to Taiwan again. However, Haruka has to set foot in that country once again as a member of the Taiwanese bullet train construction team this time.

Characters
Haru as Tada Haruka
An employee who has been with Oi & Co for four years. She is temporarily seconded to Taiwan as a member of the Taiwan’s high speed rail project.

Iura Arata as Anzai Makoto
Tada Haruka’s senior in Taiwan. He is in charge of technology coordination. He left his wife and child in Japan to work in Taiwan.

Terawaki Yasufumi as Yamao Hajime
Tada Haruka’s boss. As the project leader for Taiwan’s high speed rail, he recommends that Haruka go to Taiwan.

Daito Shunsuke as Ikegami Shigeyuki
Tada Haruka’s fiance. He works at a hotel in Nagoya.

Aaron Yan as Liu Ren Hao Eric
A young man whom Tada Haruka met when she first travelled to Taiwan during her university days. He now works for a Japanese design firm.

Anna Lee as Lin Fang Hui
Tada Haruka’s colleague. She has a cheerful personality and soon becomes a good friend whom Haruka spends her off days with.

Gary Edward Gitchel as Jack Bart
The deputy general manager of Taiwan High Speed Rail’s construction taskforce. He is a big obstacle to Tada Haruka and Anzai Makoto.

Original Work
Lu by Yoshida Shuichi

Scriptwriter
Tabuchi Kumiko (Teinen Joshi, Bijo to Danshi, Dousousei)

Director
Matsuura Zennosuke

Related Post:

• Ru ~ Taiwan Express CM

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Date: From 9.00 p.m., 17 May 2020
Original Work: Kasai no Hito by Mouri Jinpachi
Scriptwriter: Morosawa Kazuyuki (Gekokujo Juken, Keibuho Sugiyama Shintaro, Nurse no Oshigoto Series)
Director: Inohara Tatsuzo
Cast: Funakoshi Eiichiro, Adachi Rika, Sato Hitomi, Horii Arata, Yamanaka Takashi, Morishita Yoshiyuki, Mochizuki Ayumu, Niiyama Chiharu, Nishioka Tokuma, Kadono Takuzo
Synopsis: Maezaki Family Court is located in a suburban city about an hour away from Tokyo by shinkansen. A newly appointed judge arrives at the court. This man is Kuwata Yoshio (Funakoshi Eiichiro), the rumoured oddball who snubbed career advancement after turning down a transfer to Tokyo due to his attachment to the family court. On the day that Kuwata takes up his new post, he shows up carrying a huge plant on his back. Higuchi Hinako (Adachi Rika), a legal apprentice who wants to become a lawyer, and the probation officers are astounded. Kuwata says he happened to pass by a garden where trees were being felled and he decided to take this plant because he felt sorry for it. He immediately starts to plant the tree in the small garden within the court’s compound while everyone watches him in a daze. On top of that, Kuwata keeps making statements during mediation that are quite uncharacteristic for a judge and this throws the probation officers off their stride. Meanwhile, Sasaki Kenzo (Nishioka Tokuma) who is an important person locally, is murdered and a 19-year-old teenager by the name of Tachibana Akira (Mochizuki Ayumu) turns himself in. He is turned over to Maezaki Family Court. In fact, Akira had committed assault close to a year ago and there was a trial in the family court. However, Tobari (Yamanaka Takashi) believed in the boy’s nature and decided not to punish him in order to give him a chance to mend his ways. Feeling disappointed, Tobari is keen to take a hard line this time. However, Ikegami (Kadono Takuzo) who heads the family court, assigns another probation officer called Okamoto (Sato Hitomi) and this causes discord at the family court. Akira admits to breaking into Sasaki’s residence because he wanted money to enjoy himself and ended up killing Sasaki after a scuffle. But Kuwata has doubts about the young man’s statement about breaking off the branch of a loquat tree in the garden when he intruded. Although the family court places emphasis on swiftly handling cases, Kuwata tries to get to the heart of the problems people face. Many people treat him as an oddball because of that but … …
Official Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kasai

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Zettai Reido Season 4 ~ Mizen Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 6 January – 23 March 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Detective
Episodes: 11
Scriptwriter: Hamada Hideya (Voice, Zettai Reido Series, Naomi to Kanako)
Directors: Ishikawa Junichi, Shinada Shunsuke, Kimura Mahito, Kobayashi Yoshinori
Ending Theme: Mikansei by Ieiri Reo
Cast: Sawamura Ikki, Yokoyama Yu, Honda Tsubasa, Mizuno Miki, Morinaga Yuki, Takasugi Mahiro, Uesugi Shuhei, Emoto Akira, Magy, Nakabayashi Taiki (guest star), Shinohara Atsushi (guest star), Nakamura Ikuji (guest star), Okuno Eita (guest star), Kiryu Mai (guest star), Kino Hana (guest star), Ino Yukihiro (guest star), Shida Masayuki (guest star), Ito Atsushi (guest star), Adachi Rika (guest star), Miyakawa Ichirota (guest star), Sato Eriko (guest star), Hamada Manabu (guest star), Matsuo Satoru (guest star)
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
Twitter: twitter.com/zettai_0_mihan
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 – 9 March 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Medical
Episodes: 7
Scriptwriter: Yamamoto Mutsumi (Aibou Seasons 12, 14 – 17, Kounodori Season 1, Yae no Sakura)
Directors: Miyawaki Ryo, Kiyohiro Makoto
Ending Theme: Life by Kubota Toshinobu
Cast: Koizumi Kotaro, Takashima Masanobu, Konishi Manami, Inaba Yu, Owada Shinya, Isono Kiriko, Katagiri Jin, Kadono Takuzo, Mitsuishi Ken, Asada Miyoko, Nakamura Masatoshi, Ando Tamae (guest star), Fukumoto Shinichi (guest star), Matsumoto Gaku (guest star), Ichige Yoshie (guest star), Ikeda Narushi (guest star)　
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
Twitter: twitter.com/Biz_byouin

Yameru Toki mo, Sukoyaka Naru Toki mo
Date: From 12.59 a.m., Tuesdays, 21 January – 23 March 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Yameru Toki mo, Sukoyaka Naru Toki mo by Kubo Misumi
Scriptwriter: Kuwamura Sayaka (Ai Shite Tatte Himitsu wa Aru, Sukina Hito ga Iru Koto, Koinaka)
Director: Komuro Naoko
Ending Theme: memento by Kis-My-Ft2
Cast: Fujigaya Taisuke, Nao, Goseki Koichi, Kanazawa Miho, Asami Himeka, Nakai Tomomi, Toyama Toshiya, Tezuka Satomi, 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 her family ever since her father’s (Toyama Toshiya) 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
Twitter: twitter.com/tomoniikiru_ntv
Preview: Yameru Toki mo, Sukoyaka Naru Toki mo CM

10 no Himitsu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 January – 17 March 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Suspense
Episodes: 10
Scriptwriter: Goto Noriko (Innocent Days, Uso no Sensou, Kazoku no Katachi)
Directors: Miyake Yoshishige, Horai Tadaaki, Nakanishi Masashige
Ending Theme: Monologue by Akiyama Kiiro
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Nakama Yukie, Naka Riisa, Matsumura Hokuto, 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
Twitter: twitter.com/10nohimitsu
Preview: 10 no Himitsu CM

Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 January – 17 March 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Love comedy
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo by Enjoji Maki
Scriptwriter: Kaneko Arisa (Tokyo Dokushin Danshi, Chugaku Seinikki, Boku no Tsuma to Kekkon Shite Kudasai)
Directors: Tanaka Kenta, Fukuda Ryosuke, Kaneko Fuminori
Ending Theme: I Love … by Official髭男dism
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, Kiyohara Sho (guest star), Moro Morooka (guest star), Murakami Hiroaki (guest star)
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 Tendo 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 him. 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
Twitter: twitter.com/koi_tsudu
Preview: Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko made mo CM

Sedai Wars
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 8 January – 19 February 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Action
Episodes: 7
Scriptwriter: Yokote Michiko
Director: Sakamoto Koichi
Ending Theme: Watashi dake no Kakumei by Ninomiya Yui
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
Twitter: twitter.com/SEDAIWARS
Preview: Sedai Wars CM

Shinitai Yoru ni Kagitte
Date: From 1.28 a.m., Wednesdays, 26 February 2020
Station: TBS
Episodes: 6
Original Work: Shinitai Yoru ni Kagitte by Tsumekiriman
Scriptwriter: Kato Takuya (Miki Clinic de Kanpai o, Ore no Sukato Doko Itta?)
Directors: Murao Yoshiaki, Sakagami Takuya
Ending Theme: Shinitai Yoru ni Kagitte by Aina The End
Cast: Kaku Kento, Yamamoto Maika, Tozuka Junki, Imai Takafumi, Aoki Yuzu, Sakurai Kento, Tamashiro Tina, Konishi Sakurako, Nakamura Riho, Adachi Yumi, Mitsuishi Ken
Synopsis: Ono Hiroshi (Kaku Kento) is a man who was abandoned by his mother when he was a child. Through his encounters with various women, he slowly regains his smile even as he clashes with them at times and runs away at other times. His first love was a bicycle thief; the first girl he ever slept with was in a wheelchair; and the love of his life, Asuka (Yamamoto Maika), earns a living by selling her saliva to perverts.
Website: www.mbs.jp/shinitai_yoruni
Twitter: twitter.com/shinitai_yoruni
Preview: Shinitai Yoru ni Kagitte CM

Shiranakute Ii Koto
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 January – 11 March 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Office
Episodes: 10
Scriptwriter: Oishi Shizuka (Ie Uru Onna Series, Dairenai, Contrail)
Directors: Kariyama Shunsuke, Tsukamoto Renpei, Uchida Hidemi
Ending Theme: Shibarashiki Uso by flumpool
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
Twitter: twitter.com/shiranakute_ntv
Preview: Shiranakute Ii Koto CM

Followers
Date: From 27 February 2020
Network: Netflix
Episodes: 9
Scriptwriter: Ninagawa Mika (Diner, Helter Skelter, Sakuran)
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, Omori Nao, Kawatani Enon, Miyavi, Sawajiri Erika, Nakamura Shido
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
Preview: Followers CM

Unmei kara Hajimaru Koi ~ You’re My Destiny
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Thursdays, 13 February 2020
Network: Fuji On Demand & Youku
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 10
Original Work: You Are My Destiny by Sanlih E-Television
Scriptwriters: Kitaki Rima, Nishioka Tony, Oka Atsushi, Imanishi Yuko (Shinmai Shimai no Futari Gohan, Izakaya Fuji)
Directors: Ninomiya Takashi, Hirabayashi Katsutoshi, Morimoto Shoichi
Ending Theme: My Love by ONE N’ ONLY
Cast: Takimoto Miori, Kizu Takumi, Tokito Yuki, Ishikawa Ren, Noro Kayo, Ando Sei, Yamagami Kenji, Takemori Sento, Nakajima Shoko, Nakabayashi Taiki, Tajima Reiko
Synopsis: Sato Aya (Takimoto Miori) is a temporary office lady who will never say bad things about other people no matter how much she is fooled. Her father passed away when she was a child and even though she dreams of being Cinderella, her reality is quite different. Post-its with miscellaneous tasks are constantly foisted on her by her colleagues and she has to work overtime every day. She is called Post-it Girl – convenient and disposable at anytime. Aya happens to meet Ichijo Kei (Kizu Takumi), the young ninth generation heir of a big company. His grandmother, who is the chairwoman of the company, is anxious for him to quickly get married and have an heir because the members of the family have had short lives. Kei intended to propose to Shiraishi Anna (Ishikawa Ren), who has returned after studying ballet in New York. But in an unexpected turn of events, fate intervenes and an incident happens between Kei and Aya … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/unkoi
Preview: Unmei kara Hajimaru Koi CM

Boku wa Doko kara
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Thursdays, 9 January – 18 March 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Crime suspense
Episodes: 11
Original Work: Boku wa Doko kara by Ichikawa Masa
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Izumi (Fujiko, Yume o Ataeru, Kanata no Ko)
Directors: Taki Yusuke, Kumasaka Izuru, Ouchi Takahiro
Ending Theme: I Am by Hey! Say! JUMP
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 (Sendo Nobuko) 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
Twitter: twitter.com/BokudokoTx
Preview: Boku wa Doko kara CM

Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu
Date: From 1.35 a.m., Thursdays, 9 January – 25 March 2020
Station: TV Tokyo & Paravi
Genre: Love comedy
Episodes: 12
Original Work: Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu by Itsuma-chan
Scriptwriters: Peyoung Maki (Koi no Tsuki, Retake), Tachi Sorami (Coffee & Vanilla, Goodbye)
Directors: Miki Koichiro, Yuasa Hiroaki, Peyoung Maki, Ouchi Takahiro, Matsuura Takeshi
Ending Theme: Tonight by Scandal
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 (Shiono Akihisa) 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: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/raisechan
Twitter: twitter.com/tx_raisechan
Preview: Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu CM

Keiji to Kenji ~ Shokatsu to Chiken no 24-ji
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 16 January – 12 March 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Legal
Episodes: 9
Scriptwriter: Fukuda Yasushi (Doctors Series, Hero Series, Galileo Series)
Directors: Motohashi Keita, Oikawa Takuro
Ending Theme: Hallelujah by Miyamoto Hiroji
Cast: Kiritani Kenta, Higashide Masahiro, Higa Manami, Isomura Hayato, Imada Mio, Shibuya Kento, Okuyama Kazusa, Giiko, Yashiba Toshihiro, Sugawara Daikichi, Minemura Rie, Nishimura Motoki, Okunuki Kaoru, 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
Twitter: twitter.com/keijitokenji
Preview: Keiji to Kenji Teaser

Alive ~ Gan Senmoni no Karute
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January – 19 March 2020
Genre: Medical
Episodes: 11
Station: Fuji TV
Scriptwriter: Kuromitsu Yasuko (Scandal Senmon Bengoshi Queen, Keiji Yugami, Love Song)
Directors: Takano Mai, Ishii Yusuke, Mizuta Naruhide
Ending Theme: Harudonari by Suda Keina
Cast: Matsushita Nao, Kimura Yoshino, Kiyohara Sho, Okazaki Sae, Nakamura Shunsuke, Miura Shohei, Tanabe Seiichi, Fujii Takashi, Kinoshita Houka, Takahata Atsuko, Kitaoji Kinya, Terawaki Yasufumi (guest star), Fujii Takashi (guest star)
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 a sudden ray of light in her personal and professional life … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/alive
Twitter: twitter.com/Alive_cx
Preview: Alive Teaser

Boku dake ga 17-sai no Sekai de
Date: From 11.00 p.m., Thursdays, 20 February 2020
Network: AbemaTV
Genre: Fantasy romance
Episodes: 8
Scriptwriter: Aizawa Tomoko (Trace, Hito wa Mita Me ga 100%, Biblia Koshodo no Jiken Techou)
Directors: Ogura Hisao, Kanai Hiro, Matsumoto Hana
Ending Theme: 70-oku ni Tada Hitotsu no Kiseki by ACE COLLECTION
Cast: Sano Hayato, Iitoyo Marie, Yuki Kosei, Otomo Karen, Watanabe Yutaro, Hamano Kenta, Yoshi, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Ishida Hikari
Synopsis: “If a miracle can happen, I want to meet you again. I’ll tell you my feelings this time.” Sometani Kota (Sano Hayato) and Konno Mei (Iitoyo Marie) were classmates in the second year of high school. The two of them started to notice each other and always thought they could convey their feelings but Kota suddenly left this world one day. Seven years later in 2020, Mei returns to their hometown that she had left in shock seven years ago. Knowing that the cherry blossoms would bloom in mid winter, she visits a place with cherry blossom trees which holds many memories with Kota. To her surprise, Kota who is supposed to be dead appears. He is still 17 in mind and body while she is now 24. Kota can only be here while the cherry blossom blooms. Will he be able to tell Mei his feelings with the time he has left?
Website: abema.tv
Preview: Boku dake ga 17-sai no Sekai de CM

Lunch Gokon Tantei ~ Koi to Gurume to Nazotodoki to
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 9 January – 12 March 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Mystery
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Lunch Tantei Series by Mizuki Hiromi
Scriptwriter: Aso Kumiko (Gosaigyou, Yami no Bansosha Series, Double Fantasy)
Directors: Kikukawa Makoto, Asahina Yoko
Ending Theme: Renai Lunch by Tsubomi Daikakumei
Cast: Yamamoto Mizuki, Triendl Reina, Seto Toshiki, Iketani Nobue, Sakaguchi Ryotaro, Kanai Hiroto, Kimura Yuichi, Sano Kazuma (guest star), Ota Motohiro (guest star), Hakamada Yoshihiko (guest star), Ogoe Yuki (guest star), Nerio Hiroaki (guest star), Furuya Robin (guest star)
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
Twitter: twitter.com/lunch_tantei
Preview: Lunch Gokon Tantei CM

Giri / Haji
Date: From 10 January 2020
Network: Netflix Japan & BBC
Genre: Suspense
Episodes: 8
Scriptwriter: Joe Barton
Directors: Julian Farino, Ben Chessell
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
Preview: Giri / Haji CM

Homeroom
Date: From 12.59 a.m., Fridays, 24 January – 27 March 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: School
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Homeroom by Chiyo
Scriptwriter: Tsugita Jun (Giver, Scams, Tokyo Vampire Hotel)
Director: Kobayashi Yuki
Ending Theme: Madara by Passepied
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
Twitter: twitter.com/homeroom_drama
Preview: Homeroom CM

Pension Koi wa Momoiro
Date: From 1.25 a.m., Fridays, 17 January – 13 February 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Episodes: 5
Scriptwriter: Shimizu Yasuhiko
Directors: Shimizu Yasuhiko, Ouchida Ryoma
Ending Theme: Koi wa Momoiro by Hosono Haruomi
Cast: Lily Franky, Saito Takumi, Ito Sairi, Kakei Miwako, Sway, Mikura Mana, Tsubuyaki Shiro, Omizu Yosuke, Joy, Ishida Takumi, Ando Nico, Shiraishi Kazuya (guest star), Hosono Haruomi
Synopsis: Shiro (Lily Franky) is a middle-aged man who runs a rather forlorn pension called Koi wa Momoiro way out in the outskirts of Tokyo. He has a daughter Haru (Ito Sairi) who has lost the use of her legs but she does not let that stop her from working efficiently and feels annoyed with her father who makes no attempt to increase the number of new guests. One day, a young man Yoshio (Saito Takumi) with issues settles in at the pension in an unexpected turn of events.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/pension-koihamomoiro
Twitter: twitter.com/pensionkoimomo

Byoushitsu de Nenbutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 17 January – 20 March 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Medical
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Byoushitsu de Nenbutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai by Koyasu Tamayo
Scriptwriter: Yoshizawa Tomoko (Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi, Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita, Anata no Koto wa Sorehodo)
Directors: Hirano Shunichi, Okamoto Shingo, Izumi Masahide
Ending Theme: I’m Here by Miura Daichi
Cast: Ito Hideaki, Muro Tsuyoshi, Matsumoto Honoka, Katayose Ryota, Karata Erika, Tani Kyosuke, Uraji Nuno, Torobu Yuri, Yoshida Hyuga, Yokota Mayu, Tsuchimura Kaho, Yasui Junpei, Dan Jiro, Horiuchi Ken, Miyazaki Yoshiko, 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, Matsumoto provides medical care as an emergency doctor and also chants sutra for the deceased at the morgue or provides spiritual 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 are near death. 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 Matsumoto 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
Twitter: twitter.com/nembutsu_tbs
Preview: Byoushitsu de Nenbutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai CM

Hamura Akira ~ Sekai de Mottomo Fuunna Tantei
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 24 January – 6 March 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Mystery
Episodes: 7
Original Work: Onna Tantei Hamura Akira Series by Wakatake Nanami
Scriptwriters: Kurosawa Hisako (Minshuu no Teki, Tokyo Joshi Zukan, Arechi no Koi), Kida Norio
Directors: Ohashi Mamoru, Masuda Shizuo, Nakamura Shusuke
Cast: Shishido Kavka, Mamiya Shotaro, Ikeda Narushi, Tsuda Kanji, Itabashi Shunya, Matsuo Takashi, Nakamura Yasuhi, Ohgo Suzuka, Uragami Seishu, Nakamura Baijaku, Megumi (guest star), Murakami Jun (guest star), Hasegawa Hatsunori (guest star), Matsumoro Marika (guest star), Mikura Kana (guest star), Fujii Mina (guest star), Phuongchi (guest star), Tokui Yu (guest star), Nomaguchi Toru (guest star), Takeda Rina Tanaka Yoji (guest star), Kamio Yu (guest star), Haba Yuichi (guest star), Tsutsui Mariko (guest star), Kinoshita Houka (guest star), Tanaka Shuri (guest star), Kurosaki Reina (guest star), Igashira Manami (guest star), Ikuta Tomoko (guest star), Ono Karin (guest star)
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 – 6 March 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: School comedy
Episodes: 7
Original Work: Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai by Bino
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)
Directors: Yamamoto Daisuke, Higurashi Ken, Nakashima Ryo, Do Koji
Ending Theme: Starting Over by Little Glee Monster
Cast: Okada Yui, Tsunematsu Yuri, Nakamura Yurika, Fukuchi Momoko, Asakawa Nana, Hata Mei, Imoto Ayaka, Yokoyama Ryo, Naito Risa, Machida Keita, Okura Koji
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
Twitter: twitter.com/jyoshimuda2020

Wake Atte Kasei ni Sumimashita ~ Erabareshi 4-nin
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Saturdays, 25 January – 29 February 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 6
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu (Meishi Game, Ubai Ai Fuyu, Renai Dorama o Mouichido)
Directors: Sato Yuichi, Ueda Yasushi, Honma Toshiyuki
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
Twitter: twitter.com/erabareshi4nin

Kotaki Kyoudai to Shikuhakku
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 11 January – 27 March 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 12
Scriptwriter: Nogi Akiko (Unnatural, Kemono ni Narenai Watashitachi, Juhan Shuttai)
Director: Yamashita Nobuhiro
Ending Theme: Choudo Ii Shiawase by Stardust Revue
Cast: Furutachi Kanji, Takito Kenichi, Yoshine Kyoko, Kadowaki Mugi, Kawashima Ririka, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Kishii Yukino, Nakamura Yuko, Mochizuki Ayumu, Kobayashi Kaoru, Kudo Kankuro, Ichikawa Mikako (guest star), Kishii Yukino (guest star), Mochizuki Ayumu (guest star), Higuchi Kanako (guest star), Kawashima Ririka (guest star), Kadowaki Mugi (guest star), Yoshizawa Hisashi (guest star), Kobayashi Kaoru (guest star)
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 (Kudo Kankuro). He is asked by Murata to go to a meeting place in his stead. The two brothers see a woman (Ichikawa Mikako) show up at the meeting place and are at a loss for words … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kotaki
Twitter: twitter.com/tx_kotaki

Kokoro no Kizu o Iyasu to iu Koto
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 18 January – 8 February 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Historical fiction
Episodes: 4
Scriptwriter: Kuwahara Ryoko
Directors: Adachi Mojiri, Matsuoka Kazufumi, Nakaizumi Kei
Cast: Emoto Tasuku, Ono Machiko, Hamada Gaku, Moriyama Naotaro, Cho Tamiyasu, Asaka Kodai, Kamikawa Shusaku, Hamada Mari, Hiraiwa Kami, Tanimura Mitsuki, Konno Mahiru, Shimizu Kurumi, 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 – 29 February 2020
Network: WOWOW
Episodes: 8
Scriptwriter: Sawaki Mahiro
Director: Fukagawa Yoshihiro
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 moves 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 – 14 March 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Medical
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Top Knife by Hayashi Koji
Scriptwriter: Hayashi Koji (Headhunter, Boss Series, Iryu Team Medical Dragon Series)
Directors: Otsuka Kyoji, Sakura Noriyoshi, Shigeyama Yoshinori
Ending Theme: Stayin’ Alive by Juju
Cast: Amami Yuki, Shiina Kippei, Hirose Alice, Nagayama Kento, Furukawa Yuta, Fukushi Seiji, Morita Misato, Fujimoto Izumi, Miyamoto Mayu, Miura Tomokazu, Horiuchi Keiko (guest star), Matsumoto Wakana (guest star), Hamada Mari (guest star), Sakurada Hiyori (guest star), Kanai Yuta (guest star), Honda Hirotaro (guest star), Ayata Toshiki (guest star), Nakao Mie (guest star), Onishi Ayaka (guest star), Kakizawa Hayato (guest star), Yamamoto Hiroshi (guest star), Kasamatsu Sho (guest star), Yoshida Mikako (guest star), Hara Sachie (guest star), Kimura Ryo (guest star), Shukugawa Atom (guest star), Kaneda Akio (guest star), Hara Hideko (guest star), Fukushi Seiji (guest star), Morita Misato (guest star), Koichi Mantaro (guest star), Sakai Miki (guest star), Arimori Narimi (guest star), Suzuki Anne (guest star)
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
Twitter: twitter.com/topknife_ntv
Preview: Top Knife CM

Alibi Kuzushi Uketamawarimasu
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 1 February – 14 March 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Mystery
Episodes: 7
Original Work: Alibi Kuzushi Uketamawarimasu by Oyama Seiichiro
Scriptwriter: Izumi Yoshihiro (Shudan Sasen!, Todome no Kiss, Aogeba Toutoshi)
Directors: Kawai Hayato, Hoshino Kazunari
Ending Theme: Tokei no Hari ~ Aishite mo Anata ga Tookunaru no by Kimura Kaera
Cast: Hamabe Minami, Yasuda Ken, Narita Ryo, Katsumura Masanobu, Emoto Tokio, Inoue Yuta, Mizoguchi Takuya, Korenaga Hitomi, Nakamaru Shinsho, Morimoto Leo, Tayama Ryosei (guest star), Maruyama Tomomi (guest star), Moriya Kanna (guest star), Hoshino Mari (guest star), Oshinari Shugo (guest star), Kanai Yuta (guest star), Hashimoto Manami (guest star), Kimura Ryo (guest star), David Ito (guest star), Itagaki Mizuki (guest star), Inoue Shota (guest star), Mamiya Shotaro (guest star), Kimura Kaera (guest star), Tokumitsu Kazuo (guest star), Nishida Naomi (guest star)
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 late grandfather (Morimoto Leo), 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
Twitter: twitter.com/alibi_ex

Densetsu no Okaasan
Date: From 11.30 p.m., Saturdays, 1 February – 21 March 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Fantasy
Episodes: 8
Original Work: Densetsu no Okaasan by Kanemoto
Scriptwriters: Tamada Shinya (Joker x Face, Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai), Oike Yoko
Directors: Murahashi Naoki, Tsukuda Hisanori, Futami Daisuke, Tanaka Kenji
Cast: Maeda Atsuko, Tamaoki Reo, Inowaki Kai, Daito Shunsuke, Megumi, Katayama Yuki, Maehara Mizuki, Murakami Shingo, Kobayashi Yoshihisa, Uehara Risa, Okura Koji, Daichi Mao
Synopsis: Mei (Maeda Atsuko) is the legendary wizard in the role player games Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. She played the wizard that participated in a crusade to fight off the Demon King (Daichi Mao) who tried to take over the world, and restore world peace. Mei has her first child during the peaceful days that follow and struggles with childrearing and housework on her own. One day, she is notified that the Demon King has been resurrected. The King (Okura Koji) issues an order to subdue the Demon King. However, Mei protests that it is impossible since there is no vacancy in the nursery school for her child. Will she be able to overcome numerous obstacles and achieve world peace while she raises her child?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/yoru/densetsu
Preview: Densetsu no Okaasan CM

Papa ga Moichido Koi o Shita
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 1 February – 21 March 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 8
Original Work: Papa ga Moichido Koi o Shita by Abe Jun
Scriptwriters: Tanaka Shinichi (Iyasaretai Otoko, Fuhatsudan, Shachoushitsu no Fuyu), Fukushima Saburo, Yamashita Subaru (1 Page no Koi, Cheat)
Directors: Goto Yosuke, Muguruma Shunji, Sakami Takamori
Ending Theme: Tadaima! by Shonan no Kaze
Cast: Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Tsukaji Muga, Honjo Manami, Fukumoto Riko, Tsukamoto Takashi, Maro Akaji
Synopsis: Three years ago, Yamashita Goro (Ozawa Yukiyoshi) lost his beloved wife Taeko (Honjo Manami) in a traffic accident. Grieved by her death, he resigned from his job and confined himself to his room. His daughter Tomo (Fukumoto Riko) worries about him and does her best with the housework. She believes that her cool and kind father will return some day. One day, a middle-aged man (Tsukaji Muga) shows up at their house and says that he is Taeko. Goro and Tomo stare at him in disbelief. However, Tomo’s grandfather Tarosuke (Maro Akaji) cries out that this man is Taeko and says she has come back. How has her beautiful and gentle mother been reincarnated as this man? The unbelievable miracles do not stop there!
Website: www.tokai-tv.com/io/papakoi
Twitter: twitter.com/tokaitv_dodra
Preview: Papa wa Moichido Koi o Shita CM

LINE no Kotaeawase ~ Otoko to Onna no Kanchigai
Date: From 12.58 a.m., Sundays, 2 February 2020
Station: NTV & Line
Genre: Love comedy
Episodes: 10
Original Work: LINE no Kotaeawase
Scriptwriter: Kishimoto Ayuka (Watashi no Ojisan, Kenkou de Bunkatekina Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu, Love or Not), Moraru (Watashi no Ojisan)
Directors: Taki Yusuke, Kanai Junichi, Yoshida Kazuhiro, Hariu Yuji
Ending Theme: Driver by the engy
Cast: Furukawa Yuki, Onishi Ayaka, Kuroba Mario, Kakei Miwako, Wada Masato, Mashima Hidekazu, Sakai Maki
Synopsis: Yasui Tsukasa (Furukawa Yuki), the young CEO of an IT venture company, is one of seven men and women (Onishi Ayaka, Kuroba Mario, Kakei Miwako, Wada Masato, Mashima Hidekazu, Sakai Maki) who meet at a one-day cooking class at the restaurant Grand Rossa in Ebisu, Tokyo. Rumours have spread that the owner-chef Iwasa Akira (Wada Masato) of Grand Rossa can solve anything when consulted on romance. Night after night, trouble people come to this restaurant.
Website: line-no-kotae.com
Twitter: twitter.com/line_no_kotae
Preview: LINE no Kotaeawase CM

Kono Otoko wa Jinsei Saidai no Ayamachi
Date: From 2.30 a.m., Sundays, 19 January – 22 March 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Kono Otoko wa Jinsei Saidai no Ayamachi by Kokonose Shiki
Scriptwriters: Sakunorigen, Izawa Rie (Perfect Crime)
Directors: Kikuchi Takeo, Kuwashima Kenji
Ending Theme: Stop by Kawaguchi Reiji
Cast: Hayami Mokomichi, Matsui Airi, Tanaka Michiko, Irie Jingi, Katayama Moemi, Hiraoka Yuta
Synopsis: Sato Yui (Matsui Airi), a temporary employee at Amagi Pharmaceutical, is at a bar drinking alcohol as she grieves over her pet dog that died. “Invent medicine that can bring it back to life!” she cries and blathers drunkenly. A man’s voice calls out, “The dead cannot be resurrected.” He says he will teach her which drug she can overdose on and meet her dog right away and then mercilessly continues, “Do this pointless crying at home”. Yui retaliates by hooking his leg to trip him. She says over her shoulder that she did it on purpose and leaves the place. She does not even realise that this man is Amagi Kyoichi (Hayami Mokomichi), the CEO of her company. The next day, Yui is summoned to the CEO’s office and presents herself with the expectation that she will get fired. However, Amagi kneels down and tells her, “Please make me your slave.”
Website: www.asahi.co.jp/konodan
Twitter: twitter.com/konodan6
Preview: Kono Otoko wa Jinsei Saidai no Ayamachi CM

Kirin ga Kuru^*UPDATED*
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 January 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Period
Episodes: 44
Scriptwriters: Ikehata Shunsaku (Soroban Samurai Kaze no Ichibei, Natsume Soseki no Tsuma, Kamogawa Shokudo), Maekawa Yoichi (Last Chance, Lady Joker, Marks no Yama), Iwamoto Maya (Kamogawa Shokudo, Natsume Soseki no Tsuma), Kawamoto Mizuki
Directors: Ohara Taku, Isshiki Ryuji, Sasaki Yoshiharu, Fukagawa Takashi
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, Santamaria Yusuke, Mamiya Shotaro, Hongo Kanata, Ando Masanobu, Maya Kyoko, Bengal, Imai Tsubasa, Kaneko Nobuaki, Enoki Takaaki
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
Twitter: twitter.com/konodan6
Preview: Kirin ga Kuru CM

Theseus no Fune
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 January – 22 March 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Mystery
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Theseus no Fune by Higashimoto Toshiya
Scriptwriter: Takahashi Maki (Itsuka Kono Ame ga Yamu Hi Made, Asa ga Kuru, Kekkonshiki no Zenjitsu ni)
Directors: Ishii Yasuharu, Matsuki Aya, Yamamuro Daisuke
Ending Theme: Anata Iru Koto de by Uru
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
Twitter: twitter.com/theseus_tbs
Preview: Theseus no Fune CM

Toudori Nozaki Shuhei
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 January – 16 February 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Corporate
Episodes: 5
Original Work: Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei by Shu Ryoka
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei, Shizumanu Taiyo, Lady Joker)
Director: Gonno Hajime
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-driven culture and layoffs, Nozaki sets his sights on 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 – 15 March 2020
Station: NTV
Episodes: 10
Scriptwriter: Sato Tomoharu (Rinshou Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri Series, Black Scandal, Last Cop)
Directors: Endo Mitsutaka, Matsunaga Yoichi, Shioguchi Takeshi, Sakamoto Hidetaka
Ending Theme: bad guy by Billie Eilish
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
Twitter: twitter.com/shirokuro_drama
Preview: Shiro demo Kuro demo Nai Sekai de Panda wa Warau CM

Sousa Kaigi wa Living de Okawari!
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 2 February – 22 March 2020
Network: NHK BS Premium
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 8
Scriptwriters: Takei Aya (Eerie, Sousa Kaigi wa Living de!, Juken no Cinderella), Akiyama Ryuhei (Sousa Kaigi wa Living de!, Retake, Ishitachi no Renai Jijou)
Directors: Kinoshita Takao, Asahina Yoko, Ohata Shinji
Cast: Mizuki Arisa, Tanabe Seiichi, Ihara Shogo, Takahashi Hideki, Katagiri Jin, Triendl Reina, Matsushita Kohei, Endo Yuya, Yamano Umi, Horibe Keisuke, Washio Machiko, Onodera Akira, Wada Masato, Takahashi Tsutomu, Sakai Wakana
Synopsis: One and a half years after her true identity was exposed, detective Morikawa Shoko (Mizuki Arisa) from the Criminal Investigations Department’s Special Unit is promoted to be the deputy of the unit. She has to put in a considerable amount of extra hours because she is busy with her duties. Meanwhile, her husband Akira’s (Tanabe Seiichi) latest novel is awarded the grand prize for mysteries and he joins the ranks of popular writers. He has to rent a work space outside. As it becomes a challenge for them to eat dinner around the table as a family, their son Nao (Ihara Shogo) starts to act a little weirdly. How will the Morikawas overcome this new obstacle standing in their way?
Website: www4.nhk.or.jp/P6068
Related: Sousa Kaigi wa Living de!

© jdramas.wordpress.com.

4 May: Japan’s extension of the state of emergency to 31 May is throwing up questions about filming and whether many of the spring dramas will even be aired.
20 April: The majority of the dramas lined up for Spring have been hit by broadcast delays due to the Covid-19 situation. Here’s the list to date:
Fuji TV – Ryu no Michi, Suits Season 2, Unsung Cinderella
NHK – Dear Patient, Kirin ga Kuru, Meiji Kaika: Shinjuro Tanteichou, Yell
NTV – Guilty, Haken no Hinkaku 2020, Miman Keisatsu
TBS – Hanzawa Naoki Season 2, MIU404, Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san
TV Asahi – BG Season 2, Kaseifu no Mitazono Season 4, M Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite, Tokusou 9 Season 3
TV Tokyo – Anata Hannin Ja Arimasen, Rasen

Yell^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 8.00 a.m., Mondays – Saturdays, 30 March 2020
Station: NHK
Scriptwriters: Shimizu Yukako (Watashi Teiji de Kaerimasu, Poison Daughter Holy Mother, Reverse), Shimada Ureha (Zenryoku Shissou Series, Babysitter Gin!, Sumika Sumire), Yoshida Teruyuki
Directors: Yoshida Teruyuki, Matsuzono Takehiro
Theme Song: Hoshikage no Yell by GReeeeN
Cast: Kubota Masataka, Nikaido Fumi, Karasawa Toshiaki, Kikuchi Momoko, Sakumoto Takara, Kazama Morio, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Nakamura Aoi, Moriyama Naotaro, Matsui Rena, Mori Nana, Shibasaki Kou, Hirata Mitsuru, Sugawara Daikichi, Yoshihara Mitsuo, Aijima Kazuyuki, Matsuo Satoru, Horiuchi Keiko, Mochizuki Ayumu, Hotta Mayu, Tanaka Taketo, Mitsuishi Ken, Yakushimaru Hiroko, Furuta Arata, Noda Yojiro, Kayano, Nomaguchi Toru, Naka Riisa, Miura Takahiro
Synopsis: In 1909, a long-awaited baby boy was born to a family (Karasawa Toshiaki, Kikuchi Momoko) which has run a kimono shop for generations in Fukushima Prefecture. He would later become the talented composer Koyama Yuichi (Kubota Masataka) who wrote many famous songs. Although Yuichi was brought up as the heir of the business, he was rather dreamy and considered a child with no redeeming traits by the people around him. However, when he encountered music, it sparked joy and unleashed his gift in composing music through self-study. As a youth, Yuichi secretly put his name down for an overseas songwriting competition. This would change his destiny. He won runner-up for the song he entered for the competition. As a result, he got to know Sekiuchi Oto (Nikaido Fumi), a female student who wanted to be a singer. Despite the long distance between them – Fukushima and Toyohashi – they tied the knot. When Yuichi and Oto came to Tokyo, they met all sorts of people and weathered a dark period to produce a number of hit songs. However, war broke out and Yuichi had to compose wartime songs at the army’s request. It pained him that young men died in battle after singing the songs he had written. After the war, the country began to recover amid the chaos. The couple made a new era of music in an attempt to encourage the wounded through the power of music.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/yell
Twitter: twitter.com/asadora_nhk

Suits Season 2^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 13 April 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Legal
Original Work: Suits by NBC Universal
Scriptwriter: Komine Hiroyuki (Jikou Keisatsu Hajimemashite, Himo Men, Kaseifu no Mitazono Series)
Directors: Hirano Shin, Moriwaki Tomonobu, Hoshino Kazunari
Cast: Oda Yuji, Nakajima Yuto, Araki Yuko, Nakamura Ann, Kote Shinya, Yoshida Kotaro, Suzuki Honami, Sorimachi Takashi (guest star), Kato Miriya (guest star), Tamashiro Tina (guest star), Tomochika (guest star), Nomaguchi Toru (guest star), Mori Nana (guest star), Kuroki Hitomi (guest star), Satoi Kenta (guest star)
Synopsis: Kai Shogo (Oda Yuji), one of the partners of the law firm Yukimura Uesugi, suddenly recalls the associate Suzuki Daiki (Nakajima Yuto) from Boston without consulting anyone. He puts Daiki in charge of a case where a large publisher is being sued by a former contract employee for plagiarising her ideas for a novel. On that same day, Kai is summoned by one of his clients Mitsuya Satoshi. Mitsuya is the CEO of FutureSky which develops technology for rockets and aircraft. Meanwhile, the unexpected happens. Uesugi Hitoshi (Yoshida Kotaro), whom Kai and Yukimura Chika (Suzuki Honami) had some dirt on and booted out of the law firm, makes his desire to return to Yukimura Uesugi known. This rocks the law firm and sets the stage for a new battle.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/SUITS2
Twitter: twitter.com/drama_suits
Preview: Suits Season 2 Teaser
Related: Suits Season 1

Gyouretsu no Megami ~ Ramen Saiyuki^*UPDATED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Mondays, 20 April 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Food
Original Work: Ramen Saiyuki by Kyube Rokuro
Scriptwriter: Furuya Kazunao (Innocence, Hagetaka (2018), Ashita no Yakusoku)
Directors: Hoshi Mamoru, Ikezawa Tatsuya
Theme Song: Wabisabi no Uta by The Inazuma Sentai
Cast: Suzuki Kyoka, Kuroshima Yuina, Takahashi Maryjun, Koseki Yuta, Maeno Tomoya, Riju Go, Ishizuka Hidehiko, Takahata Atsuko, Sugimoto Tetta, Izumiya Shigeru (guest star), Asari Yosuke (guest star), Matsui Rena (guest star), Shukugawa Atom (guest star), Otoo Takuma (guest star), Torii Miyuki (guest star), Tokuda Koji Susuki Miyuki (guest star), Tosa Yuki (guest star), Takeuchi Kazuki (guest star), Kaku Sou (guest star), Kanai Yuta (guest star), Magy (guest star), Ishiguro Ken (guest star)
Synopsis: Serizawa Tatsumi (Suzuki Kyoka), the charismatic owner of a popular ramen chain which gets long queues day after day, plays a leading role in the world of ramen. She is also a food consultant who saves ramen shops facing difficulties. One day, her subordinate Natsukawa Aya (Takahashi Maryjun) discovers a female customer (Kuroshima Yuina) who has not touched a new ramen dish. The young woman criticises the flavour of the ramen that Tatsumi created, calling it lacking. Aya is furious. But this customer has come for an interview with the company, and declares to Tatsumi that she can enhance the ramen dish even though she is an amateur when it comes to ramen which she ate for the first time half a year ago.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/gyouretu
Twitter: twitter.com/Biz_txdorama
Preview: Gyouretsu no Megami CM

Piple ~ AI to Kekkon Seikatsu Hajimemashita
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Tuesdays, 19 May 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Sci-fi comedy
Episodes: 8
Original Work: Piple by Harada Mariru
Scriptwriter: Kodera Kazuhisa (Mushikago no Jomae, Shinjuku Seven)
Directors: Sakai Mai, Taki Yusuke
Cast: Kaji Yuki, Ayaka Wilson, Ohara Sakurako, Oshinari Shugo, Yamada Yusuke, Kamio Yu, Kaji Masaki, Shimizu Hazuki, Tomita Tomu, Usuda Asami, Hamada Mari
Synopsis: It is 2030, a time when marrying AI is possible. Salaryman Tsumiki Kenichi’s (Kaji Yuki) date with a senior from his company whom he has had a long-time crush on is a failure. Reeling from shock, he impulsively purchases a beautiful AI android (Ayaka Wilson) with a built-in sexual intercourse function. He names this android Piple and takes it as his wife. However, for some reason, she refuses night activity on their “wedding night”. Tsumiki visits Piple’s developer and meets Fukayama Kaede (Ohara Sakurako), a mysterious female AI researcher who has no ability to empathise with people. He learns that there is a problem with Piple’s initial setup but unfortunately, the setting cannot be changed. Instead, Kaede makes a surprising suggestion to him … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/piple
Twitter: twitter.com/piple_drama

Ryu no Michi ~ Futatsu Kao no Fukushuusha^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 April 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Suspense
Original Work: Ryu no Michi by Shirakawa Toru
Scriptwriter: Shinozaki Eriko (Saka no Tochuu no Ie, The Good Wife, Hanzai Shokogun Series)
Directors: Joho Hidenori, Iwata Kazuyuki, Kamiya Kaede, Yoshida Tsukanori
Theme Song: umbrella by Sekai no Owari
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Takahashi Issei, Matsumoto Honoka, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Nao, Konno Hiroki, Watanabe Kunito, Saigo Teruhiko (guest star), Matsumoto Marika, Saito Yuki, Endo Kenichi
Synopsis: Shortly after the twin brothers, Ryuichi (Tamaki Hiroshi) and Ryuji (Takahashi Issei), were abandoned at birth by their biological parents, they were adopted by the Yoshies, a couple who ran a small transportation company. After that, their adoptive parents had a daughter Misa (Matsumoto Honoka) and the family of five got along well. However, when the two brothers turned 15, their parents were subjected to hostilities by a transportation company led by Kirishima Genpei (Endo Kenichi) who had been expanding his business nationwide. They were saddled with debt and ended up taking their own lives. Seeing the despicable and ruthless way in which Kirishima drove their parents into a corner, Ryuichi and Ryuji vowed revenge on this man. Seven years later, Ryuichi fakes his own death. Then he takes someone else’s identity, becomes a different person after plastic surgery, and starts to get involved in the underworld. Meanwhile, Ryuji goes back to using his surname at birth and joins the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism which oversees transportation companies. The fact that Ryuichi is alive is a secret between the two brothers and they begin their revenge.
Website: www.ktv.jp/ryu-no-michi
Twitter: twitter.com/ryunomichi_ktv

Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 14 April 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Love comedy
Original Work: Kaseifu no Nagisa-san by Yotsuhara Furiko
Scriptwriter: Tokuo Koji (Ossan’s Love Series, Kimi ga Kokoro ni Sumitsuita, Thrill Series)
Directors: Tsuboi Toshio, Yamamoto Takeyoshi
Theme Song: Hadaka no Kokoro by Aimyon
Cast: Tabe Mikako, Seto Koji, Maeda Gordon, Takahashi Maryjun, Miyao Shuntaro, Hirayama Yusuke, Mizusawa Shingo, Okabe Dai, Wakatsuki Yumi, Iio Kazuki, Natsuko, Tomita Yasuko, Kusakari Tamiyo, Shuri, Omori Nao
Synopsis: Aihara Mei (Tabe Mikako), a young career woman who works as a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company, is more competent than anyone at work but has no energy for dreaded household chores. On the night of her 28th birthday, an unfamiliar middle-aged man called Shigino Nagisa (Omori Nao) wearing an apron shows up all of a sudden when she comes back home. He turns out to be a super housekeeper who perfectly handles all housework such as cooking, cleaning and washing. Although Mei hates the idea of having a male stranger in her house, she begins to find comfort and warmth in his presence. Meanwhile, she faces a strong rival Tadokoro Yuta (Seto Koji) at work. This is quite a predicament for Mei who is a high achiever and has never lost before. Despite her wariness, Tadokoro quickly gets close to her and she finds herself swayed both in work and romance because of him.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/WATANAGI_tbs
Twitter: twitter.com/watanagi_tbs
Preview: Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san Teaser

Tokyo Love Story (2020)
Date: From 29 April 2020 (updated on Wednesdays)
Network: Fuji on Demand & Amazon Prime
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 11
Original Work: Tokyo Love Story by Saimon Fumi
Scriptwriter: Kitagawa Ayako (Watashi ni XX Shinasai, Onna Kudoki Meshi Series, Ofukou-san)
Theme Song: Touka by Vaundy
Cast: Ito Kentaro, Ishibashi Shizuka, Kiyohara Sho, Ishii Anna, Takada Riho, Teshima Miyu, Iida Takahiro, Matsuo Eitaro, Giko, Nagaoka Takuya, Figaro Tseng, Tsutsui Mariko, Mashima Hidekazu
Synopsis: Nagao Kanji (Ito Kentaro) works for an advertising agency in his hometown of Ehime Prefecture. He is assigned to the Tokyo sales department where his colleague Akana Rika (Ishibashi Shizuka) is put in charge of looking out for him. One day, Kanji is invited to drinks by Mikami Kenichi (Kiyohara Sho), a former classmate from his hometown who is now in Tokyo, and he is also reunited with Sekiguchi Satomi (Ishii Anna) whom he has feelings for. However, Rika ends up joining them when she delivers Kanji’s wallet which he had left in office. On the way back, Rika tells him, “Kanji, shall we kiss?” and he is rattled. There have been rumours in office that Rika is in a relationship with their boss Waga Natsuki (Mashima Hidekazu) … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/tokyolovestory
Twitter: twitter.com/tokyols_fod
Preview: Tokyo Love Story CM

Tokusou 9 Season 3^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 8 April 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Detective
Scriptwriters: Tokunaga Tomihiko (Tokusou 9 Series, Keiji 7-nin Series, dele), Inaba Kazuhiro (Tokusou 9 Season 2,
Shitamachi Rocket (TBS)), Takigawa Akiyo (Tokusou 9 Series, Kasouken no Onna Season 15 – 19, Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Season 8 – 12), Okazaki Yukiko (Tokusou 9 Series, Deiri Kinshi no Onna, Keishichou Sousa Ikka 9-gakari Season 8 – 12)
Directors: Tamura Naoki, Kanesaki Ryosuke, Kamihoriuchi Kazuya, Suzuki Kosuke
Theme Song: It’s my life by V6
Cast: Inohara Yoshihiko, Hada Michiko, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru, Taguchi Hiromasa, Yamada Yuki, Miyachika Kaito, Nakagoshi Noriko, Hara Sachie, Nakamura Baijaku
Synopsis: It has been nine months since the previous head of the Special Investigations Unit left. Asawa Naoki (Inohara Yoshihiko) and the members of the unit no longer get requests for back up from the First Investigation Division, but keep getting pulled into work such as providing security. The influence of Mihara Tatsuro (Iida Kisuke), the former head of the criminal investigations who held a grudge against the Special Investigations Unit and was ousted from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, still remains in the organisation … …
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/tokusou9_03

Haken no Hinkaku 2020^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 15 April 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Office
Scriptwriter: Nakazono Miho (Doctor X Series, Sego-don, Dr Rintaro)
Directors: Sato Touya, Maruya Shunpei
Theme Song: Motivation by Suzuki Masayuki
Cast: Shinohara Ryoko, Koizumi Kotaro, Katsuji Ryo, Sugino Yosuke, Yoshitani Ayako, Yamamoto Maika, Nakamura Kaito, Kamiji Yusuke, Tsukaji Muga, Oizumi Yo, Ito Shiro, Ichimura Masachika (guest star)
Synopsis: Omae Haruko (Shinohara Ryoko) is an A-rank super temporary worker who possesses many skills and qualifications. She will only do the scope stipulated in her contract and never works overtime or on her days off. Although she baffles her colleagues, they gradually come to accept her. The hiring system in Japan where new graduates were set for life if they got into a company and became full-time employees ended in the Heisei era. It is an illusion now and the Japanese people have also shown big changes in their attitudes towards work. With work reforms, ageing, gigs, outsourcing, AI, death from overworking, what will Haruko’s style be in the Reiwa era?
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/haken2020
Twitter: twitter.com/haken_ntv

Rental Nanmo Shinai Hito
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Thursdays, 9 April 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Original Work: Rental Nanmo Shinai Hito no Nanmo Shinakatta Hanashi
Scriptwriters: Masaike Yosuke (Miki Clinic de Kanpai o, Million Joe, Shiyakusho), Honda Takaaki (Watashi Danna o Share Shiteta, Silent Voice, Daishou)
Directors: Kusano Shogo, Tanada Yuki, Tanazawa Takayoshi
Theme Song: Beautiful by NEWS
Cast: Masuda Takahisa, Higa Manami, Hayama Shono, Furutachi Kanji, Shida Mirai (guest star), Okayama Amane (guest star), Onojima Toru (guest star), Takeuchi Manabu (guest star), Fukuhara Haruka (guest star), Yamaguchi Sayaka (guest star), Kasahara Hideyuki (guest star), Fujii Naoki (guest star), Tokunaga Eri (guest star), Kyan Yutaka (guest star), Hyadain (guest star)
Synopsis: Moriyama Shota (Masuda Takahisa) starts a service offering himself for rent, “Anything you might need a single person for, though I can only give very basic answers.” He gets flooded with requests. “Wait for me at the finishing line for the marathon”, “Go with me to submit the divorce papers”, “Accompany me because I’m afraid to go to work” – requests simply seeking his presence and his company. One day, Moriyama receives a request from Omiya Aki (Shida Mirai) who wants him to keep her company on her last day in Tokyo. Aki was an editorial staff at a publishing company but her contract was terminated and she has to go back to her hometown of Tochigi. She cries that she has not been able to leave any mark in Tokyo, and Moriyama … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/rentalsan
Twitter: twitter.com/tx_rentalsan
Preview: Rental Nanmo Shinai Hito CM

Keishichou Sousa Ichi Kachou 2020^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 April 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Detective
Scriptwriters: Fukusawa Masaki (Tokusou 9 Season 1, Face, Doctor Car), Tanabe Mitsuru (Keishichou Sousa Ichikachou Season 2 – 3, Akagi Series, Henshin)
Directors: Ikezawa Tatsuya, Kikawa Manabu, Hama Tatsuya
Theme Song: Singin’ Now by GLIM SPANKY
Cast: Naito Takeshi, Miyoshi Ayaka, Honda Hirotaro, Yano Koji, Suzuki Hiroki, Hanawa Nobuyuki, Tokoshima Yoshiko, Kaneda Akio, Saito Yuki, Honda Hirotaro, Matsushita Yuki (guest star), Kubozuka Shunsuke (guest star), Takeda Rena (guest star)
Synopsis: The First Investigative Division is the star unit of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Oiwa Junichi (Naito Takashi), the head of the division, leads around 400 elite detectives. He has an extremely heavy responsibility – attends initial investigations at the scenes of all brutal crimes that occur within the metropolis, decides on the course of action of the investigations at the same time as he directs many investigation task forces and get into investigations himself at the critical phase. However, Oiwa is no superman. Amid his suffering, Oiwa overcomes this grave responsibility and is quite simply a “life-size hero” and “ideal boss” to his subordinates.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ichikacho2020
Twitter: twitter.com/sosaichikacho

BG ~ Shinpen Keigonin Season 2^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 16 April 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Action
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko (BG Season 1, Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu Series, Pandora Series)
Directors: Tsunehiro Jota, Shichitaka Go
Cast: Kimura Takuya, Saito Takumi, Nanao, Mamiya Shotaro, Michieda Shunsuke, Ichikawa Mikako, Katsumura Masanobu, Nakamura Toru
Synopsis: Shimazaki Akira (Kimura Takuya) is a bodyguard with private security firm Hinode Security Services’ Personal Protection Division, and gives his all to fulfil his duties. However, Hinode Security Services is acquired by a large IT-related company and he questions the company’s focus on profits and business policy of restricting clients to VIPs from political and business circles. Shimazaki is committed to protecting the vulnerable and leaves the company to become a private bodyguard. Meanwhile, his former colleague Takanashi Masaya (Saito Takumi) joins him. On the other hand, Suganuma Mayu (Nanao) and Sawaguchi Seitaro (Mamiya Shotaro) have chosen to remain with the company which now regards Shimazaki and Takanashi with hostility.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/bg2
Twitter: twitter.com/bg_tvasahi
Related: BG ~ Shinpen Keigonin Season 1

Unsung Cinderella ~ Byouin Yakuzaishi no Shohousen^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 9 April 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Medical
Original Work: Unsung Cinderella Byouin Yakuzaishi Aoi Midori by Arai Mamare
Scriptwriter: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Kingdom, Banjo no Himawari, Grand Maison Tokyo)
Directors: Tanaka Ryo, Aizawa Hideyuki
Theme Song: Yes And No by Dreams Come True
Cast: Ishihara Satomi, Nishino Nanase, Kiyohara Sho, Sakurai Yuki, Inowaki Kai, Kanazawa Miho, Maya Miki, Sakoda Takaya, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Denden, Tanaka Kei, Usuda Asami, Rokkaku Shinji, Hoshi Moeka, Ando Miu (guest star), Nagase Riko (guest star), Iida Kisuke (guest star), Nishihara Aki (guest star)
Synopsis: Aoi Midori (Ishihara Satomi) has been a pharmacist for eight years. She believes it is essential for a pharmacist to know a patient because medication will affect a patient’s life. Although she wants to save as many patients as possible, she ends up getting too involved and spending time on them. She is reprimanded by other pharmacists to be more effective at work. However, Midori sincerely engages with each patient in the hope of helping them regain the everyday life that they had taken for granted.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/unsung
Twitter: twitter.com/unsung2020
Preview: Unsung Cinderella CM

Guilty ~ Kono Ai Tsumi desu ka?^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 11.59 p.m., Thursdays, 2 April 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Love suspense
Original Work: Guilty ~ Nakanu Hotaru ga Mi o Kogasu by Okaue Ai
Scriptwriters: Izumisawa Yoko (W Kenkei no Higeki, Itsumademo Shiroi Hane, Dairenai), Obayashi Rieko (Koekoi, Nodoka no Niwa, Inochi Urimasu), Miura Kisa (Ghost Town, Watashi Danna o Share Shiteta, Shiyakusho)
Directors: Kawahara Yo, Hayashi Masaki, Noda Kenta
Theme Song: Be All Right by Toshl
Cast: Shinkawa Yua, Machida Keita, Koike Teppei, Nakamura Yurika, Kamio Fuju, Toda Naho, Tokunaga Eri, Kakei Miwako, Onishi Ayaka, Abe Ryohei, Nagai Mijika, Yuki Moe
Synopsis: Ogino Sayaka (Shinkawa Yua) has a rewarding job as the editor of a female fashion magazine and is married to a kind husband Kazuma (Koike Teppei) whom she met through work. They have the ideal married life that is the envy of everyone. However, Kazuma wants them to continue to be like lovers and does not wish to have children. Sayaka is slightly unhappy about this but cannot bring herself to mention it. Her seemingly perfect life is shattered one day by Kazuma’s betrayal. The person who gives her emotional support is Akiyama Keiichi (Machida Keita), her ex-boyfriend from high school days whom she happened to meet again. Even though she knows that she cannot like Keiichi, her heart tingles with the feelings that she has kept deep inside. As Sayaka wavers between her love for her husband and her first love, a shocking unbelievable truth is revealed.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/guilty
Twitter: twitter.com/guilty_drama
Preview: Guilty Teaser

Tokyo Danshi Zukan
Date: From 12.25 a.m., Fridays, 1 May 2020
Network: Kansai TV
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Tokyo Calendar (Tokyo Danshi Zukan)
Scriptwriter: Akiyama Ryuhei (Sousa Kaigi wa Living de Series, Ishitachi no Renai Jijou, Nagareboshi)
Director: Matsumoto Kana
Cast: Takezai Terunosuke, Ichikawa Yui, Ochiai Motoki, Mizuma Ron, Makita Tetsuya, Hanakage Kanon, Manaka Ayu, Kamataki Eri, Saori, Tanaka Shen, Takigawa Eiji, Morioka Ryu, Yamanaka Takashi
Synopsis: This is the story of the life of a Tokyo guy over 20 years. Sato Shota (Takezai Terunosuke) has been attending a prestigious private university in Tokyo from his parents’ place in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. When he finds out that his girlfriend is toying with a rich older man, he decides that women are only after money and vows that he will succeed in Tokyo. Shota joins a top trading company and achieves the life he wanted. Although he has no lack of money and women, his concept of values starts to change little by little through his competition with Kojima (Ochiai Motoki), a colleague who joined the company at the same time and works without womanizing, and his romance with Minami (Tanaka Shen) who wishes to marry a man with an annual salary of over 10 million yen. Shota’s reunion with an ex-classmate Kazuma (Morioka Ryu) greatly changes his life. He also meets Ruriko (Ichikawa Yui), his subordinate, and begins to reexamine the meaning of living in Tokyo as they date.
Website: www.ktv.jp/danshi-zukan
Twitter: twitter.com/Tokyoboy_2020
Preview: Tokyo Danshi Zukan CM

Peanut Butter Sandwich
Date: From 12.59 a.m., Fridays, 3 April 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Love comedy
Original Work: Peanut Butter Sandwich by Mitsuko
Scriptwriters: Date-san, Shimoda Yuko (Coffee & Vanilla, Bungaku Shojo)
Directors: Tsubakimoto Keijiro, Yamagishi Ikkou
Cast: Yahagi Honoka, Ito Kentaro, Ito Shuko, Hotta Akane, Takimoto Miori, Kakei Miwako, Niki, Okuno So, Sato Ryuji, Yoshida Jinto, Hama Shogo, Hamao Noritaka, Ichinose Ryuya, Oshinari Shugo
Synopsis: Katagiri Sayo (Hotta Akane) is an office lady at a large IT company who believes she can get everything if she works hard for it. Morimoto Miharu (Takimoto Miori) is a nurse whose hopes of getting married to her long-time boyfriend Ryota (Sato Ryuji) are fading. Yamashita Miwa (Kakei Miwako) is an office lady at a bank with such low self-worth that she immediately gives her body if asked while Matsuoka Akane (Niki) is a confident and proud company secretary with some past although she is so stunningly beautiful that people would turn around. These four women begin searching for their marriage partners in a bid to secure their own happiness. The government’s secret organisation Peanut Butter Sandwiches (Yahagi Honoka, Ito Kentaro, Ito Shuko), which supports matchmaking, starts to take action. Are these four women with different views of marriage waiting for encounters that will change their lives, or … …?
Website: www.mbs.jp/pbs_drama
Twitter: twitter.com/pbs_drama
Preview: Peanut Butter Sandwich CM

Anata Hannin Ja Arimasen^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 1.00 a.m., Fridays, 25 April 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Mystery
Scriptwriters: Tsuchiya Ryoichi (Keshite Mane Shinaide Kudasai, Sennyuu Sousa Idol), Saijo Mitsutoshi (Omoshiro Nankyoku Ryorinin, Oh My Jump!), Nemoto Shuko, Tomisaka Yu, Fukuda Takuya
Directors: Kitabata Ryuichi, Monma Naoto
Cast: Hibino Meina, Yamazaki Shigenori, Kitano Kii
Synopsis: One day, a teacher by the name of Izumi (Kitano Kii) is found stabbed to death in her wedding dress in the pool on the rooftop of Seishun High School. A classmate confesses to being her killer to Class 3C’s president Hibino Meina (Hibino Meina) and Goshima (Yamazaki Shigenori), the detective in charge of the case. However, Meina detects inconsistencies in the incomprehensible method and motive for murder and has to refute the person, only for another classmate to step forward to confess. Why would her classmates claim to be the criminal?
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/hanninjya_arimasen
Twitter: twitter.com/3c_tx

Rasen no Meikyuu ~ DNA Kagaku Sousa^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 24 April 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Mystery
Original Work: Rasen no Meikyuu ~ Idenshi Sousa by Natsu Midori
Scriptwriters: Kuroiwa Tsutomu (Banjo no Himawari, Grand Maison Tokyo, Kizoku Tantei), Sakai Masaaki (Cold Case Season 2, Yakubyougami Series, Aogeba Toutoshi), Fukuda Teppei (In Hand)
Director: Iwamoto Hitoshi
Theme Song: Stay Gold by BTS
Cast: Tanaka Kei, Yasuda Ken, Kurashina Kana, Nakata Keisuke, Watanabe Ikkei, Matsuzaka Keiko
Synopsis: Jinbo Jin (Tanaka Kei) is a DNA expert who is an associate professor of a genome analysis lab at a university’s faculty of medicine. His interest lies in creating a personal DNA database. One day, a murder takes place in Tokyo and an ‘X’ mark is found on the dead body. Detective Ando Genji (Yasuda Ken) who was supposed to be in charge of the case, is dropped due to the high probability that the criminal is the same serial murderer whom his own wife fell victim to. And so Ando secretly asks Jinbo for help. However, Jinbo has completely no interest in solving the case. Ando finds himself confounded by Jinbo’s totally unexpected words and behaviour. But the two of them gradually learn to get along and their DNA investigation discovers a “signature” that was not even picked up by the investigation headquarters. Meanwhile, serial killer X commits yet another murder … …
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/rasen
Twitter: twitter.com/tx_kin8

Meiji Kaika: Shinjuro Tanteichou^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 15 May 2020
Station: NHK BS Premium
Genre: Period suspense
Episodes: 8
Original Work: Meiji Kaika Ango Torimonochou by Sakaguchi Ango
Scriptwriters: Komatsu Eriko (Daifugou Doushin, Itsumade mo Shiroi Hane, Hanamoyu), Ito Yasuro (Daifugou Doushin)
Directors: Kasaura Tomochika, Motoki Kazuhiro, Okano Hironobu
Cast: Fukushi Sota, Uchida Rio, Yamoto Yuma, Nakamura Yasuhi, Katsumura Masanobu, Tsurumi Shingo, Inamori Izumi, Takahashi Katsunori
Synopsis: The early days of the Meiji era was a period of massive change, and there were a high incidence of bizarre cases. The special investigator Yuki Shinjuro (Fukushi Sota), who has a good standing with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, returns to Japan after his travels abroad and is outspoken about the truth of these cases. Izumiyama Toranosuke, a former fencing student of Katsu Kaishu, loves making deductions about difficult cases. He is always treated disparagingly and cries to have the brains and eyes of Kaishu whom he admires. Shinjuro, Toranosuke and Kaishu draw all sorts of people to them including Kaishu’s gutsy wife Tami who was formerly a geisha; Rie (Uchida Rio), an influential merchant’s daughter who is in love with Shinjuro; Hananoya Inga, a writer of fiction of a style combining a facetious tone with elaborate structure; and the great police superintendent Hayami Seigen who considers Shinjuro a nuisance. As their case-solving progresses, the anxiety as well as love and hate that people have towards the new Meiji era manifests itself. Shinjuro, Rie and Toranosuke tangle with many important people of the period such as Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi through these cases, and grow up.
Website: –

MIU404^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 10 April 2020
Station: TBS
Genre: Investigative
Scriptwriter: Nogi Akiko (Kotaki Kyoudai to Shikuhakku, Unnatural, Juhan Shuttai)
Directors: Tsukahara Ayuko, Takemura Kentaro, Kato Naoki
Theme Song: Kanden by Yonezu Kenshi
Cast: Ayano Go, Hoshino Gen, Okada Kenshi, Hashimoto Jun, Watanabe Keisuke, Kanai Yuta, Namase Katsuhisa, Aso Kumiko, Hirano Fumi (guest star)
Synopsis: As part of workplace reforms at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the three mobile investigative units under the Criminal Investigations Department are expanded to four. Detective Shima Kazumi (Hoshino Gen) is called in to be a member of the newly established Mobile Investigative Unit 4 which is meant to help various divisions such as the First Investigative Division. However, no partner has been found due to a personnel issue. There is no choice but to summon Ibuki Ai (Ayano Go), a police officer at the Okutama police box who was initially eliminated as a candidate, and the two of them are ordered by the head of Mobile Investigative Unit 4 to team up. Shima is the type who trusts no one and grows uneasy about Ibuki. He gathers information about him but the more he checks up, the more perturbed he gets. The first day of duty for Mobile Investigative Unit 4 finally arrives. Shima forms a good impression of Ibuki who is surprisingly courteous when they meet for first time, but … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/MIU404_TBS
Twitter: twitter.com/miu404_tbs
Preview: MIU404 Teaser

Dear Patient ~ Kizuna no Karute^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 17 April 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Medical suspense
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Dear Patient by Minami Kyoko
Scriptwriter: Arai Shuko (Nodoka no Niwa, Wagaya no Himitsu, Pretty ga Oosugiru)
Directors: Nishitani Shinichi, Fukui Mitsuhiro, Takeda Yusuke
Cast: Kanjiya Shihori, Uchida Yuki, Tanaka Tetsushi, Asaka Kodai, Takanashi Rin, Hamano Kenta, Nagai Masaru, Washio Machiko, Masu Takeshi, Ryu Raita, Ishiguro Ken, Asaka Mayumi, Hirata Mitsuru, Ibu Masato
Synopsis: At Sasai Memorial Hospital, where a hospital is seen as the hospitality industry and patients are priority, its doctors plagued with all sorts of problems. Mano Chiaki (Kanjiya Shihori), a young doctor, is stalked by a monster patient (Tanaka Tetsushi) who persistently harasses her. Her trusted senior, Hamaguchi Yoko (Uchida Yuki), has a cheerful personality and is liked by patients but worries about a huge medical lawsuit. Another fellow doctor keeps a certain distance from patients but still gets embroiled in a dispute. Will these doctors be able to find hope?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/drama10/dearpatient

Kaseifu no Mitazono Season 4^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 24 April 2020
Station: TV Asahi
Genre: Home
Scriptwriter: Komine Hiroyuki (Jikou Keisatsu Hajimemashite, Kaseifu no Mitazono Series, Himo Men)
Directors: Katayama Osamu, Komatsu Takashi
Cast: Matsuoka Masahiro, Inoo Kei, Itoyo Marie, Shuhama Harumi, Hirata Atsuko, Yo Kimiko
Synopsis: Mitazono Kaoru (Matsuoka Masahiro) is a superb housekeeper who belongs to a housekeeping agency. Although he is a male in an industry dominated by females, he handles housework such as cleaning, laundry, cooking and babysitting perfectly. However, it is not just the dirt in the house that Mitazono cleans. He completely cleans off “deep-rooted dirt” in the households that he is assigned to each time. A new housekeeper Kirishima Mai (Itoyo Marie) joins the housekeeping agency. She enjoys people watching and sees straight through the nature of her clients. However, she is bad at reading people’s feelings and lying and says whatever she wants which gets her into inconceivable trouble. Mai takes an interest in Mitazono who is a type that she has never encountered before and tries to get to his secret.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/mitazono
Related: Kaseifu no Mitazono Season 1

Arimura Kasumi no Satsukyu
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Saturdays, 21 March 2020
Network: WOWOW
Episodes: 8
Scriptwriters: Imaizumi Rikiya (Tokyo Sentimental), Sunada Mami (Junichi), Shinohara Makoto, Peyoung Maki (Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu, Koi no Tsuki, Retake), Fujiki Mitsuhiko (Designer Shibui Naoto no Kyuujitsu, Byplayers Series, Asunaro San San Nana Byoushi), Miura Naoyuki (Fujoshi Ukkari Gay ni Kokuru, Koekoi), Tsuno Megumi, Higa Sakura
Directors: Koreeda Hirokazu, Imaizumi Rikiya, Yamagishi Santa, Yokohama Satoko, Tsuno Megumi
Cast: Arimura Kasumi, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Fubuki Jun, Kaneda Akio (guest star), Ito Sairi (guest star), Wakaba Ryuya (guest star), Kasamatsu Sho (guest star), Lily Franky (guest star), Yagira Yuya (guest star), Aoi Shun (guest star), Mizuno Satoshi (guest star), Watanabe Daichi (guest star), Tokunaga Eri (guest star), Fukushima Seiran (guest star), Maeno Kenta (guest star), Tamura Kentaro (guest star), Nomaguchi Toru, Kuroda Daisuke
Synopsis: Arimura Kasumi (Arimura Kasumi) suddenly gets a break from filming and returns to her hometown for the first time in a long while. Her mother Yumiko (Fubuki Jun) comes to the train station to pick her up and they head for the family home. She is idly chatting with her mother at home when a male stranger comes to visit. His name is Ueshima Makoto (Mitsushima Shinnosuke). He puts his hands together in front of Kasumi’s father’s tablet. Then her mother asks him to repair a bicycle. At Yumiko’s invitation, the three of them have dinner together.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/satsukyu
Preview: Arimura Kasumi no Satsukyu CM

Sumu Sumu (2020)
Date: From 18 April 2020
Network: Hulu & NTV
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 6
Scriptwriters: Bakarhythm (Kakuu OL Nikki Series, Sumu Sumu 2017, Sutekina Sentaxi), Okura (Sumu Sumu 2017, Hello Harinezumi, Sutekina Sentaxi), Abe Hiroyuki (Sumu Sumu 2017)
Director: Sumida Takashi
Cast: Mizukawa Asami, Bakarhythm, Wakabayashi Masayasu, Bananaman Himura
Synopsis: An apartment in a building in Tokyo serves as the workplace for Bakarhythm (Bakarhythm) to write scripts and other material. As he sits alone at his desk to write, Bananaman Himura (Bananaman Himura) and Wakabayashi Masayasu (Wakabayashi Masayasu) visit and interrupt his work. To make matters worse, actress Mizukawa Asami (Mizukawa Asami), whose house is in the neighbourhood, also comes to hang out. This gathering of close showbiz friends where nothing particularly happens begins.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/sumusumu2
Preview: Sumu Sumu (2020) Teaser

Isekai Izakaya Nobu
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Saturdays, 16 May 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Food fantasy
Episodes: 10
Original Work: Isekai Izakaya Nobu by Semikawa Natsuya
Scriptwriter: Shinagawa Hiroshi
Director: Shinagawa Hiroshi
Cast: Otani Ryohei, Takeda Rena, Shirasu Jin, Kobayashi Yutaka, Hotta Akane, Shintani Yuzumi, Abe Shinnosuke, Yagi Arisa, Shoji Tomoharu, Ogoe Yuki, Miyake Katsuyuki, Watabe Ryuhei, Sagiri Seina, Kimura Yuichi, Kosugi Ryuichi, Akiyama Ryuji, Oshinari Shugo, Shinada Makoto, Kinoshita Houka, Namioka Kazuki, Kajihara Zen, Tayama Ryosei, Sasai Eisuke
Synopsis: Izakaya Nobu is located in a deserted alley in Kyoto. Despite its humble appearance, its front entrance is mysteriously connected to Aiteria, a parallel universe that looks like medieval Europe. The master Yazawa Nobuyuki (Otani Ryohei) and cheerful waitress Senke Shinobu (Takeda Rena) originally started the joint in Aiteria. A cold beer called Toriaezu Nama became popular and Nobu gradually began to do brisk business. Patrons from all walks of life including soldiers, craftsmen, merchants and nobles come for a casual drink. They are greeted with delicious food and alcohol the likes of which they have never seen and they start to relax as they have a good time.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/nobu

Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Saturdays, 11 April 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Genre: Comedy
Original Work: Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku by Hamaoka Kenji
Scriptwriters: Ueda Makoto (Streetwise in Wonderland Series, Nocon Kid), Suwa Masashi, Sakai Yoshifumi (Afro Tanaka, Sabori Man Kantaro)
Director: Ruto Toichiro
Ending Theme: Buchinuke by BiSH
Cast: Sato Jiro, Mizuno Miki, Kishii Yukino, Honda Chikara, Saito Taiyo, Kinosuke, Sakata Toshio, Sometani Shota, Daito Shunsuke, Matsui Rena, Shishido Miwako, Takito Kenichi, Hirose Alice, Megumi, Buffalo Goro A, Pekopa Shupei
Synopsis: The Osawagi family lives in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture which is very near Tokyo. The man of the house, Daitetsu (Sato Jiro), lives with his wife Junko (Mizuno Miki), four children (Kishii Yukino, Honda Chikara, Saito Taiyo, Kinosuke) and father Kintetsu (Sakata Toshio). They are preposterous and extreme bunch where any trivial matter such as eating out or a child developing a fever can become a riot beyond imagination once they get involved.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/urayasu
Twitter: twitter.com/tx_urayasu

Suteteyo, Adachi-san
Date: From 12.52 a.m., Saturdays, 18 April 2020
Station: TV Tokyo
Scriptwriters: Shimoda Yuko (Nee Sensei Shiranai no? Coffee & Vanilla, Bungaku Shojo), Oku Akiko (Jikou Keisatsu Hajimemashite)
Directors: Oku Akiko, Naruse Tomokazu, Hayashi Masaki
Ending Theme: Ashita mo Asatte mo by SpecialThanks
Cast: Adachi Yumi, Kawakami Rinko, Nishimura Shinya, Usuda Asami, Kajiwara Hikari, Katagiri Hairi, Kato Ryo, Kanjiya Shihori, Kitamura Takumi, Saori, Jiro, Tokunaga Eri, Tozuka Junki, Mashimoto Marika, YOU, Watanabe Daichi
Synopsis: One day, Adachi-san (Adachi Yumi) is approached by the editor-in-chief of a female magazine with a proposal to run a series about throwing away a personal belonging in each issue, based on the theme of parting with possessions and living more comfortably. That night, Adachi-san falls asleep like always. But a mysterious girl and the personification of the items that she has held onto appear one after another in her dream, asking to be thrown away.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/suteteyo_adachisan
Twitter: twitter.com/suteteyo_adachisan

Silent Voice Season 2
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 April 2020
Station: BS TV Tokyo
Genre: Mystery
Original Work: Silent Voice by Sato Seinan
Scriptwriters: Brazily Anne Yamada (Silent Voice Season 1, Kono Yo ni wa Tayasui Shigoto wa Nai, Tokyo Sentimental Series), Oura Kota (Silent Voice Season 1, Final Life, Plage), Honda Takaaki (Silent Voice Season, Daishou, Retake)
Directors: Yamauchi Daisuke, Nemoto Kazumasa
Theme Song: Dakiyose Takamaru Kimi no Taion to Tomoni by WANDS
Cast: Kuriyama Chiaki, Baba Toru, Nomura Shuichi, Shiina Kanae, Ukaji Takashi, Kakei Toshio (guest star), Kabira Jay (guest star), Sugita Kaoru (guest star), Ogawa Sara (guest star), Watabe Gota (guest star), Yokota Eiji (guest star), Kyo Nobuo (guest star), Ishida Houshi (guest star)
Synopsis: Tateoka Ema (Kuriyama Chiaki) is an interrogation specialist who uses behavioural psychology to make suspects confess and boasts a 100% success rate. She can see through the lies of suspects in a split second by reading their “micro-gestures”. Any suspect whom she targets will eventually be forced to make a confession.
Website: www.bs-tvtokyo.co.jp/silentvoice2
Twitter: twitter.com/BS7_silentvoice
Related: Silent Voice Season 1

Lu ~ Taiwan Express
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 16 May 2020
Station: NHK
Episodes: 3
Original Work: Lu by Yoshida Shuichi
Scriptwriter: Tabuchi Kumiko (Teinen Joshi, Bijo to Danshi, Dousousei)
Director: Matsuura Zennosuke
Cast: Haru, Iura Arata, Terawaki Yasufumi, Takahashi Choei, Daito Shunsuke, Kusakari Mayu, Aaron Yan, Shao Yu-wei, Yang Lie, Lin Mei-hsiu, Greg Han, Anna Lee, Gary Edward Gitchel, Liang Zheng Qun, Lee Zi Cheng, Wu Dai-Yun
Synopsis: On the last work day of 1999, excited cheers erupt in Oi & Co, a Tokyo trading company. Japan’s bullet train has secured preferential negotiating rights for Taiwan’s high speed rail rolling stock system in a major reversal. It is decided that Tada Haruka (Haru), an employee who has been with the company for four years, will be seconded to Taiwan. Haruka has painful memories of her first visit to Taiwan one summer during her university days. She happened to make the acquaintance of a Taiwanese teenager called Eric (Aaron Yan) and he gave her a tour of Taipei just for a day but could not be contacted after that. Haruka intended to find him but it was impossible and she suppressed her feelings for him. It has been six years since that day and she made herself a promise never to go to Taiwan again. However, she has to set foot in that country once again as a member of the Taiwanese bullet train construction team this time.
Official Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/dodra/ruu
Preview: Ru ~ Taiwan Express CM

Pareto no Gosan ~ Caseworker Satsujin Jiken
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 7 March – 4 April 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Mystery
Episodes: 5
Original Work: Pareto no Gosan by Yuzuki Yuko
Scriptwriters: Takei Aya (Eerie Mienai Kao, Sousa Kaigi wa Living de!, Juken to Cinderella), Komatsuya Takara
Director: Kobayashi Shotaro
Cast: Hashimoto Ai, Masuda Takahisa, Kitamura Yukiya, Matsumoto Marika, Wada Masato, Tomite Ami, Nasu Yuto, Koichi Mantaro, Nishida Naomi, Omi Toshinori
Synopsis: Makino Satomi (Hashimoto Ai) has been reluctantly working for the welfare division at a municipal office. One day, she is ordered to be a caseworker all of a sudden and this makes her feel uneasy. A veteran caseworker named Yamakawa Toru (Wada Masato) encouragingly tells Satomi that it is a rewarding job. Together with a colleague called Onodera Junichi (Masuda Takahisa), Satomi starts engaging with people despite her doubts. However, a few days later, Yamakawa’s murdered body is later found after an apartment fire. Why would this happen to someone so adored by the people he has helped? As suspicions of Yamakawa’s possible involvement in something illegal grow, Satomi and Onodera begin to get entangled in the lives of various people over life insurance and the shadow of impropriety hanging over the town.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/pareto

Miman Keisatsu ~ Midnight Runner^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 11 April 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Crime suspense
Original Work: Midnight Runners by Kim Joo-Hwan
Scriptwriter: Watanabe Yusuke (dele, Rental Kyuuseishu, ST Aka to Shiro no Sousa File)
Directors: Nagumo Seiichi, Naganuma Makoto, Otani Taro
Theme Songs: Run by Sexy Zone & Mazy Night by King & Prince
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Hirano Sho, Kichise Michiko, Nakamura Yuri, Harada Taizo, Iseya Yusuke, Ohata Shieri, Hayama Shono, Takeuchi Aisa, Denya Erika, Akino Masakazu, Kodaira Daichi, Maki Yoko (guest star), Kamishiraishi Mone (guest star), Kato Masaya (guest star)
Synopsis: Honma Kai (Nakajima Kento) and Ichinose Jiro (Hirano Sho) are cadets at the police academy. Honma is the intellectual type who places emphasis on theory. A serious A-student born with excellent memory, he developed analytical skills at the academy and his skills at profiling began to blossom. He might seem like he does not care but he will not give up on people in need. On the other hand, Ichinose is the emotional and physical type. He is a fearless fighter whom even people with martial arts experience will dodge because of his boundless physical strength. Although his somewhat goofy way of speaking and thinking confuses the people around him, he is an honest, kind-hearted guy who will be the first to help when anyone who is in trouble. What the two of them lack practical experience, they make up with the knowledge obtained through lessons at the academy as well as their youth and enthusiasm. They become the best buddies who make up for each other’s deficiencies.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/mimankeisatsu
Twitter: twitter.com/kentosho2020
Preview: Miman Keisatsu CM

Tetsu no Hone (2020)
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Saturdays, 18 April 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Corporate
Episodes: 5
Original Work: Tetsu no Hone by Ikeido Jun
Scriptwriter: Maekawa Yoichi (Akira to Akira, Shizumanu Taiyo, Lady Joker)
Directors: Suzuki Kosuke, Kitano Takashi
Cast: Kamiki Ryunosuke, Nakamura Shido, Tsuchiya Tao, Koyuki, Shibata Kyohei, Mukai Osamu, Ishimaru Kanji, Uchino Masaaki, Minagawa Sarutoki, Miyakawa Ichirota, Kinoshita Houka, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Hashimoto Ryosuke, Kote Shinya, Riju Go, Rokkaku Seiji, Miyazaki Yoshiko, Nishioka Tokuma
Synopsis: Tomishima Heita (Kamiki Ryunosuke) is a young employee who has been with a mid-sized construction company for four years, and loves construction site. One day, Heita is ordered to transfer to the General Affairs Department which is a different line of work. It is a unit in charge of winning large public works contracts and mocked as the Bid-Rigging Department. Together with a weary-looking department manager, senior colleagues and a shrewd but inscrutable managing director, Heita aims to secure a public works contract worth 200 million yen. As his interactions with a fixer deepens, he sees desire and obligatory ties with his own eyes. Even though Heita struggles between his ideals and reality, he finds his work rewarding. Meanwhile, their company is in the lead with a bold technical innovation in its bid. However, the management of a rival company stands in their way. To make matters worse, the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office starts to look into collusive bidding involving influential politicians and the investigation even extends to Heita. What will happen to him and the company?
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/tetsunohone

M Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 18 April 2020
Network: AbemaTV
Original Work: M Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite by Komatsu Narumi
Scriptwriter: Suzuki Osamu (Ubai Ai Fuyu, Meishi Game, Renai Drama o Mouichido)
Theme Song: M by Hamasaki Ayumi
Cast: Anzai Karen, Miura Shohei, Shirahama Aran, Tanaka Minami, Takashima Masanobu, Takahashi Katsunori, Mizuno Miki (guest star), Niiro Shinya, Tanaka Michiko, Kubota Sayu, Mizue Kenta, Kawakita Mayuko, Ueno Natsuhi, Ichige Yoshie, Wada Hayate, Hina, lol, Yup’in
Synopsis: Ayu (Anzai Karen) is a high school student who has lived with her mother and grandmother ever since her father disappeared when she was a child. She did modelling in Fukuoka. But went up to Tokyo with her grandmother with the firm resolution to become an actress. She attends high school while working as an extra. But her encounter with Masa (Miura Shohei), the executive director of record company A Victory, sets her destiny in motion. At his behest, she goes to New York to take lessons in preparation for her debut as a singer. After she returns to Japan, she is subject to vicious harassment by rivals at the record label. Even so, she believes in Masa’s words. Her trust in him somehow changes to romantic feelings while she works hard on her lessons.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/m-ayumasa
Twitter: twitter.com/m_ayumasa

Ii ne! Hikaru Genji-kun
Date: From 11.30 p.m., Saturdays, 4 April 2020
Station: NHK
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 8
Original Work: Ii ne! Hikaru Genji-kun by Estem
Scriptwriter: Abe Mika
Directors: Konaka Kazuya, Tanaka Satoshi
Cast: Chiba Yudai, Ito Sairi, Kiriyama Ren, Iriyama Anna, Kamio Fuju, Kote Shinya
Synopsis: Fujiwara Saori (Ito Sairi) comes home from office one weekend, and is dozing off after lighting some incense set that she bought in Bali to relax when a man (Chiba Yudai) wearing an ancient outfit appears all of a sudden. Saori thinks he is a suspicious person and even gets the police to come. However, during questioning, she recalls “Genji” and suddenly blurts this name out because the man is handsome and dressed in a costume from the Heian Period. The man embraces her as if to say he is Genji and the police leave under the impression that this is a lovers’ quarrel. Saori believes he is a cosplayer but hears that he has reasons for having no place to return to. She decides to help by putting him up for the time being. However, her younger sister Shiori (Iriyama Anna) finds out that they are living together. Before long, Hikaru’s rival in Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji, Tou no Chujou (Kiriyama Ren), also shows up … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/yoru/hikarugenji
Twitter: twitter.com/nhk_purpleamore

Inseki Kazoku
Date: From 11.40 p.m., Saturdays, 11 April 2020
Station: Fuji TV
Genre: Family
Scriptwriter: Komatsu Eriko (Itsumade mo Shiroi Hane, Nukemairu, Hanamoyu)
Theme Song: Starry Sky by PassCode
Cast: Hada Michiko, Izumi Rika, Kita Kana, Nakao Masaki, Brother Tom, Tane Rakuko, Tsukumo Hajime, Manase Juri, Kageyama Toru, Imaeda
Sakura, Nakamura Shunsuke, Matsubara Chieko, Amano Hiroyuki
Synopsis: Housewife Kadokura Kumiko (Hada Michiko) lives in a residential neighbourhood in Setagaya with her husband Kazuhiko (Amano Hiroyuki), their two daughters Misaki (Izumi Rika) and Yuzuki (Kita Kana), and her mother-in-law Masako (Matsubara Chieko). They seem to be an ordinary, happy family. But when the sudden news breaks that all life on earth will be wiped out by an approaching meteorite in six months time, Kumiko decides that she cannot confidently say she will be happy together with her family in her last moments. Because there is a man that she likes and she wants to be with him. The family is shocked. But she shakes them off and rushes out of the house when they try to hold her back. But it does not end there. Kumiko’s actions trigger a storm, unleashing the secret desires that her two daughters, husband and also mother-in-law had never even confided to the family all this while.
Website: www.tokai-tv.com/io/insekikazoku
Preview: Inseki Kazoku CM

Onna Tomodachi
Date: From 12.00 a.m., Sundays, 12 April 2020
Station: BS TV Tokyo
Genre: Romance
Original Work: Onna Tomodachi by Saimon Fumi
Scriptwriters: Kikkawa Nami (Poison Daughter Holy Mother), Inukai Kyoko (Osaka Kanjosen Series, Watashitachi ga Puropozu Sarenai no ni wa 101 no Riyuu ga Atte da na Series)
Directors: Kuma Shinji, Ouchi Takahiro, Yoshikawa Ayuta
Theme Song: Tokyo Muri Shinjuu by Drama Store
Cast: Hara Sachie, Isoyama Sayaka, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Takezai Terunosuke, Suga Kenta, Yasoda Yuichi, Katayama Moemi, Rimi, Torigoe Soma, Watanabe Makiko, Ono Nonoka, Uechi Haruna, Morita Suzuka
Synopsis: Setsu (Hara Sachie) and Chisato (Isoyama Sayaka) have been good friends since high school. On this day, Setsu comes to the dining bar where Chisato works. Setsu is a shoe designer and bothered about an offer for a temporary posting that she got from an Italian workshop. The wife of Setsu’s lover Hirai Tamotsu (Hakamada Yoshihiko) has found out about Setsu’s relationship with him. Even so, Hirai says they will stay together. Setsu’s first marriage failed because of her perfection and she seems to have found comfort in her relationship with the devil-may-care Hirai. Although Chisato listens sympathetically to Setsu’s story, she is troubled by her own husband’s infidelity. Chisato’s husband Mitsuru (Takezai Terunosuke) is a popular photographer. He has always had the habit of having affairs. But her intuition gives her the hunch that his affair might be a serious one this time. She is tormented by hallucinations that the family will be hijacked in her absence. Meanwhile, Setsu is hit with an unexpected incident … …
Website: www.bs-tvtokyo.co.jp/onnatomodachi
Twitter: twitter.com/BS7ch_onnatomo

Hanzawa Naoki Season 2^*POSTPONED*
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 19 April 2020
Network: TBS
Genre: Corporate
Original Works: Lost Generation no Gyakushuu and Ginyoku no Icarus by Ikeido Jun
Scriptwriter: Ushio Kentaro (Shitamachi Rocket Season 2, Black Pean, Chiisana Kyojin)
Directors: Fukuzawa Katsuo, Tanaka Kenta, Matsuki Aya
Cast: Sakai Masato, Ueto Aya, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Kataoka Ainosuke, Kaku Kento, Imada Mio, Ikeda Narushi, Yamazaki Ginnojo, Kakuta Akihiro, Imai Tomohiko, Awashima Zuimaro, Tsuchida Hideo, Kokubo Toshihito, Kato Kei, Maru Itta, Mochida Shoji, Totsugi Shigeyuki, Masuoka Toru, Inoue Yoshio, Minamino Yoko, Yamane Motoyo, Tsutsui Michitaka, Eguchi Noriko, Emoto Akira, Furuta Arata, Igawa Haruka, Onoe Matsuya, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Kitaoji Kinya (guest star), Kagawa Teruyuki
Synopsis: Hanzawa Naoki (Sakai Masato), the unconventional banker, is ordered on a secondment from Tokyo Chuo Banking Corporation to Tokyo Central Securities even though he exposed numerous irregularities at the bank. He becomes the head of the corporate development department. One day, Tokyo Central Securities gets a big deal involving the hostile acquisition by a large IT company. With the share purchase expected to amount to over 100 billion yen, it is a deal on an unprecedented scale for Tokyo Central Securities. What Hanzawa has yet to realise is that this will trigger battle with a new bank. Will he be able to overcome the problems that keep happening at Tokyo Central Securities and inflict twice the pain on the people who make unreasonable demands?
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/hanzawa_naoki
Twitter: twitter.com/Hanzawa_Naoki
Preview: Hanzawa Naoki Season 2 Teaser
Related: Hanzawa Naoki Season 1

Operation Z ~ Nippon Hametsu, Mattanashi
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 15 March 2020
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Political
Episodes: 6
Original Work: Operation Z by Mayama Jin
Scriptwriter: Sakurai Takeharu (Kioku Sousa, Kami no Shita o Motsu Otoko, Ataru)
Directors: Murakami Masanori, Tsuzuki Junichi
Cast: Kusakari Masao, Mizobata Junpei, Takahashi Maryjun, Takuma Takayuki, Kobayashi Takashi, Horibe Keisuke, Maruyama Tomomi, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Toyama Toshiya, Tezuka Toru, Natori Yuko (guest star), Horiuchi Masami, Iwamatsu Ryo, Kitaro
Synopsis: Japan is facing a serious crisis. This is not about its ageing population and environmental problems but money – something that has been heard of but does not draw much attention. The country’s debt exceeds 1 quadrillion yen and it is still piling up. Prime Minister Ejima Takamori (Kusakari Masao) gathers four of the best finance officials including Suo Atsushi (Mizobata Junpei), Nakakoji Rumi (Takahashi Maryjun) and Negoro Isao (Horibe Keisuke). He announces that annual government expenditure will be halved for the sake of the country’s future and a project named Operation Z is formed. The largest expenditure is social security-related expenditure followed by tax money allocated to local governments. It will be impossible to reduce the general account expenditure by half without keeping these two items close to zero. Will the Operation Z members’ intentions get through to the people?
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/oz
Preview: Operation Z Teaser

70-sai, Hajimete Umimasu 70 Uizan
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 5 April 2020
Station: NHK BS Premium
Genre: Family
Episodes: 8
Original Work: 70 Uizan & 70-sai no Uizan by Time Ryosuke
Scriptwriter: Honcho Yuka
Directors: Watanabe Kazutaka, Watanabe Akihiro
Cast: Kohinata Fumiyo, Takeshita Keiko, Ito Ayumi, Yamoto Yuma, Usuda Asami, Kurashita Honami, Tanaka Mio, Shofukutei Tsuruko, Yamamoto Keisuke, Ryu Raita, Fuse Eri, Maeda Aki, Yoshizawa Ken, Negishi Toshie, Uzaki Ryudo, Nakamura Baijaku
Synopsis: A 65-year-old salaryman Etsuki Tomokazu (Kohinata Fumiyo) who is approaching retirement, comes home one day to hear a shocking declaration from his wife Yuko (Takeshita Keiko) who is near 70, “I’m pregnant!” The couple struggle with whether to have the child given the physical risk of having a baby at such a late stage in life. As first-time parents, they fail and go back and forth for everything in an antenatal class with young couples.
Website: www.nhk.jp/p/seventy-uizan

Taiyo wa Ugokanai ~ The Eclipse
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 24 May 2020 (preceded by movie)
Network: WOWOW
Genre: Suspense
Episodes: 6
Original Work: Taiyo wa Ugokanai by Yoshida Shuichi
Scriptwriter: Hayashi Tamio (Yokokuhan Series)
Director: Hasumi Eiichiro
Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Takeuchi Ryoma, Ando Masanobu, Tabe Mikako, Ichihara Hayato, Kakizawa Hayato, Kanai Yuta, Hyuga Wataru, Sako Yoshi, Ukaji Takashi, Shirahane Yuri, Matsumoto Minoru, Koichi Mantaro, Ishibashi Renji, Yoshida Kotaro, Sato Koichi
Synopsis: Takano Kazuhiko (Fujiwara Tatsuya), an agent for a secret organisation, has a small bomb embedded in his heart and is pushed to breaking point. His partner is Taoka Ryoichi (Takeuchi Ryoma). They begin a dangerous game of wits with agents from other countries over top-secret information about next-generation energy while facing the risk of death round the clock. Amid an extreme situation where they do not know who are their allies and foes, the bombs in their hearts approach the limit.
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/taiyodrama
Twitter: twitter.com/taiyowaugokanai
Preview: Taiyo wa Ugokanai ~ The Eclipse Teaser

Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro^{*FILMING SUSPENDED*}
Date: From 10.30 p.m., Sundays, 12 April 2020
Station: NTV
Genre: Suspense
Original Work: Bishoku Tantei by Higashimura Akiko
Scriptwriter: Tanabe Shigenori (Tokusatsu Gagaga, In Hand, Rental no Koi)
Directors: Sugawara Shintaro, Mizuno Itaru
Theme Song: Time by Utada Hikaru
Cast: Nakamura Tomoya, Koshiba Fuka, Sato Kanta, Tomita Miu, Koike Eiko, Kitamura Yukiya, Shida Mirai, Takeda Shinji, Naka Riisa, Zaizen Naomi, Moro Morooka
Synopsis: Akechi Goro (Nakamura Tomoya) is a handsome but very eccentric sleuth of good food. He uses his exceptional knowledge of food to solve food-related murders and treats Kobayashi Ichigo (Koshiba Fuka), the owner of his favourite food truck Ichigo Deli, as an assistant, getting her involved in various cases even though she has only just made his acquaintance. Akechi encounters the beautiful Maria (Koike Eiko). The self-professed Mary Magdalene transforms into a serial killer after meeting him and they find themselves drawn to each other despite their adversarial relationship as sleuth and murderer.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/bishoku
Twitter: twitter.com/bishoku_ntv
Preview: Bishoku Tantei CM

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Official Website
www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/piple

Broadcast
From 12.00 a.m., Tuesdays, 19 May 2020

Network
WOWOW

Story
It is 2030, a time when marrying AI is possible. Salaryman Tsumiki Kenichi’s date with Yoshino Rinko, a senior from his company whom he has had a long-time crush on, ends in failure. Reeling from shock, he impulsively purchases a beautiful AI android with a built-in sexual intercourse function. He names this android Piple and takes it as his wife. However, for some reason, she refuses his advances on their “wedding night”. Tsumiki visits Piple’s developer and meets Fukayama Kaede, a mysterious female AI researcher who has no ability to empathise with people. He learns that there is a problem with Piple’s initial setup but unfortunately, he is told that the setting cannot be changed. Kaede makes a surprising suggestion to Tsumiki as an alternative. Tsumiki begins to enjoy married life with Piple even though he cannot satisfy his desires. However, his good friend Takuma Shusuke’s childhood friend Shukugawa Yasunari, who is a doctor working at a university hospital that is a client of Tsumiki’s, says he has no faith in a person married to an AI, and this impacts Tsumiki’s sales results.

Characters
Kaji Yuki as Tsumiki Kenichi
A dull guy around his 30s who is not good at communicating with people but shows off that he is a geek. He is a salaryman who sells medical devices. However, his sideline is streaming his avatar radio, Tsumiki no Heya. He chooses to get married with a humanoid.

Ayaka Wilson as Piple
A beautiful AI android. Tsumiki Kenichi’s “wife”. She has a naive personality.

Ohara Sakurako as Fukayama Kaede
An AI researcher and the person in charge of Piple’s development. She has difficulty empathising with people and shocks those around her because of her offbeat behaviour. Her favourite drink is any item that has syrup added to carbonated water.

Oshinari Shugo as Shukugawa Yasunari
A doctor who works at a university hospital which is one of Tsumiki Kenichi’s clients. He does not like Tsumiki who comes to the hospital to do sales. He and Takuma Shusuke are childhood friends.

Yamada Yusuke as Takuma Shusuke
Tsumiki Kenichi’s good friend and ex-classmate from university days. A married guy who is affable and also sociable.

Usuda Asami as Yoshino Rinko
Tsumiki Kenichi’s senior at the company where he works. He has liked her for many years.

Hamada Mari as Kobayakawa Sanae
A famous CEO who runs an AI company. She has the nickname AI Crusher. She also seems to have been to Mars… …

Original Work
Piple by Harada Mariru

Scriptwriter
Kodera Kazuhisa (Mushikago no Jomae, Shinjuku Seven)

Directors
Sakai Mai, Taki Yusuke

© jdramas.wordpress.com.

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

Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 24 May 2020 (preceded by movie)

Network
WOWOW

Story
Takano Kazuhiko is an agent for AN News, an intelligence organisation that uses a small news distribution service as its front. Together with a new agent Taoka Ryoichi, he infiltrates the construction site where the world city exposition is scheduled to take place three years later. There are various plots brewing over the selection of the site. They are playing a role in this intelligence warfare at the request of political fixer Chusonji Nobutaka and his secretary Nagashima Toru. However, the location is blown up right before their very eyes by someone. Takano and Taoka begin investigating the mastermind on the instructions of their boss Kazama Takeshi. With the help of a fellow agent Yamashita Ryuji who smuggled himself into Hong Kong, they discover that a powerful Chinese company attempting to interfere with Chusonji’s agenda, was behind the explosion and the existence of a former agent of AN News who was hired there. Meanwhile, Ochiai Kaori, a staff of a non-profit organisation, suspects political intrigue behind the incident and tries to get close. Even Kirino Kenjiro, the son of the former prime minister and a second-generation lawmaker who seems to have no connection to the matter, starts getting active behind the scenes. It soon becomes apparent that there are far greater interests that go beyond holding the exposition … …

Characters
Fujiwara Tatsuya as Takano Kazuhiko
An agent who belongs to the intelligence organisation, AN News. He is calm and collected even in a crisis, and resourceful. A small bomb has been implanted in his heart.

Takeuchi Ryoma as Taoka Ryoichi
A new agent with the intelligence organisation, AN News. Takano Kazuhiko’s buddy. He is still inexperienced. Like Takano, he has a small bomb has been implanted in his heart.

Sato Koichi as Kazama Takeshi
The leader of AN News. A former news journalist who vanished under mysterious circumstances.

Ando Masanobu as Fukumoto
A mysterious spy.

Tabe Mikako as Ochiai Kaori
A staff of a non-profit organisation. She has been pursuing Chusonji Nobutaka, a lawmaker of the House of Representatives, due to a past connection.

Ichihara Hayato as Yamashita Ryuji
An agent with the intelligence organisation, AN News, who has penetrated Hong Kong. Takano Kazuhiko’s peer. He looked after Taoka Ryoichi in the beginning.

Ishibashi Renji as Chusonji Nobutaka
A political fixer who was a former deputy prime minister. He asks AN News to identify the mastermind behind the bombing of the world city exposition’s construction site.

Yoshida Kotaro as Nagashima Toru
The first secretary of Chusonji Nobutaka, who was a bureaucrat. The bombing incident makes him burn with ambition once again.

Original Work
Taiyo wa Ugokanai by Yoshida Shuichi

Scriptwriter
Hayashi Tamio (Yokokuhan Series)

Director
Hasumi Eiichiro

Related Post:

• Taiyo wa Ugokanai CM

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