Official Website
www.wowow.co.jp/drama/original/oz
Broadcast
From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 15 March 2020
Network
WOWOW
Story
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 growing by the second. A run on the largest insurance company puts Japan at risk of a default. The sitting Prime Minister steps down and Deputy Prime Minister Ejima Takamori, who also double hats as the Finance Minister, becomes the new premier after he overcomes the crisis. At his inaugural press conference, he announces that financial reforms will impose burdens on the people. Gathering four of the best officials from the Finance Ministry including Suo Atsushi and Nakakoji Rumi, Ejima tells them his reckless mission to halve the annual government expenditure for the sake of the country’s future and gets this special project named Operation Z started. The largest expenditure is social security-related expenditure followed by tax money allocated to local governments. It will be impossible to reduce the annual expenditure by half without keeping these two items close to zero. Will the Operation Z members’ intentions get through to the people?
Characters
Kusakari Masao as Ejima Takamori
He is catapulted to the position of Prime Minister at a time of a financial crisis that puts the country on the brink of bankruptcy. He is not hung up on the title of prime minister and believes he has to take the heat now in order to prevent a possible default in the near future. He saw Argentina’s default with his very own eyes when he was in the country as the former Prime Minister’s special envoy. That created a strong resolve not to let the same tragedy happen to Japan. This is his motivation for pushing forward with financial reforms.
Mizobata Junpei as Suo Atsushi
A member of Ejima Takamori’s team, Operation Z. He has a flexible mindset and creates a proposal to halve the annual government expenditure without being bound by traditional approaches.
Takahashi Maryjun as Nakakoji Rumi
An elite finance official who entered the ministry at the same time as Suo Atsushi. A member of Operation Z. She was previously seconded to the IMF and she proceeds confidently with negotiations even with foreign dignitaries.
Takuma Takayuki as Miyagi
An associate professor of a prestigious university. He is scathing, does not read the situation no matter who the other party is and fires off biting comments.
Kobayashi Takashi as Morita Masayoshi
He believes the job of a finance official is not to change precedents. He belongs to the faction that is opposed to cutting the annual government expenditure by half. He sees Suo Atsushi as an enemy and obstructs Operation Z at every opportunity.
Horibe Keisuke as Negoro Isao
A member of Operation Z. An elite finance official who is said to be the next vice minister. He neither approves nor faults Prime Minister Ejima Takamori’s orders. He simply searches for ways to accomplish them.
Maruyama Tomomi as Toki Goro
A member of Operation Z and a candidate to be the future vice minister. He belongs to the faction that flatly refuses overtime work. He is good at discussions with politicians which is something that finance official are weak in.
Natori Yuko as Ayabe Nozomi
A national actress. In recent years, she has taken a keen interest in social issues and makes critical comments about national policies in the newspapers and on television. There are many people who agree with her opinions. She spearheads the opposition to Ejima Takamori’s announced cuts to annual government expenditure.
Iwamatsu Ryo as Okuma Yoshikazu
Ejima Takamori’s Finance Minister. He does not have a good opinion of Ejima who has jump over him and pushed forward with fiscal reforms.
Kitaro as Kajino Kozo
The Prime Minister before Ejima Takamori. He had implemented an easing of monetary policy.
Scriptwriter
Sakurai Takeharu (Kioku Sousa, Kami no Shita o Motsu Otoko, Ataru)
Original Work
Operation Z by Mayama Jin
Related Post:
© jdramas.wordpress.com.