Fumou Chitai – Episode 6 Synopsis

23Nov09

Episode 6: The decisive battle

Iki, Hyodo and everyone at Kinki Corporation’s business operations headquarters have gathered information about Israel’s tense relationships with the Arab countries and predict an outbreak of the third Middle East war. If this war occurs, the Suez Canal, the important shipping route which connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, will be blocked and shipping routes to Europe will have to go round Cape Town. This is expected to cause freight rates to soar and demand for ships to increase. Analysing an Israel victory within ten days and a prolonged closure of the Suez Canal, the business operations headquarters instructs the Ship Division to secure tankers.

On the other hand, Iki and his men have been asked by Howan, an influential Indonesian Chinese who is Beniko’s husband, to arrange five 10,000 ton deadweight vessels built in accordance to war-time standards as soon as possible. These vessels are American and British vessels that were built during World War II. Many of them had become scrapped vessels but there are also those marketed and operated as cargo vessels. Iki tells Mine, the head of the Ship Division, that Kinki Corporation needs Howan’s clout in order to gain control of Indonesia, which is an important location, after expanding its Southeast Asian trade, and urges him to make arrangements for the vessels. However, Mine, who opposes the ways of the business operations headquarters, questions the analysis of Iki and the rest regarding the Middle East war, and also refuses to review the order for the super tankers as well as make arrangements for the war-time standard vessels.

Then, they receive a phone call from Howan who says he has a prospect for the vessels. Samejima had heard the information and made arrangements for war-time standard vessels that satisfy Howan’s requirements. Learning about that, Iki appeals to Satoi and receives a promise that he will make the final decision if Iki can arrange for war-time standard vessels below $400,000 per vessel.

While Hyodo goes to persuade Howan, Iki visits Anhiru, the president of Nitto Trading who has strong ties with Israel, again and asks him to make arrangements for the war-time standard vessels. The condition that Anhiru gives for that is for Kinki Corporation to undertake the import of Israeli oranges that Nitto Trading deals with for the next three years.

With Anhiru’s help, Iki and his men are able to obtain the vessels at $350,000 per vessel and secure the route. They leave the matter of the Israeli oranges to Yamamoto, the head of the Food Division, and the transaction with Howan to Mine.

That night, Iki returns home to find that Naoko’s boyfriend, Tomoatsu, has come. He bluntly expresses his displeasure and presses Tomoatsu to go back. On the other hand, Tomoatsu tells Naoko that they seem to have become embroiled because their parents are business rivals, and calmly asks Yoshiko for tea. At that moment, Iki receives a phone call from Hyodo. Hyodo says Mine told him to drop the matter of the war-time standard vessels. He will reconsider it after Satoi, who is away in Osaka for business, returns.

The following day, Satoi comes back to Tokyo and Iki goes to confirm the matter with him. Then Satoi tells Iki that Takenaka Kanji, the international lobbyist who is also an adviser to Nitto Trading, had contacted Daimon. He says Takenaka is also aware that Iki had implored Anhiru for his assistance regarding the war-time standard vessels, and patronisingly asked Daimon to import other Israeli farm produce too. In response to this, Daimon and Satoi had decided to turn down the vessel arrangement and also the request from Nitto Trading to import the oranges.

Iki suppresses his indignation and visits Howan together with Hyodo to make an apology. Beniko, who is also present, mediates between Howan and Kinki Corporation, saying that the two should continue to keep in touch with each other.

In the midst of this, the Israeli troops start their offensive with an attack on the United Arab Republic’s military airbase in Cairo and the third Middle East war finally breaks out. Expecting a protracted war, the various trading firms including Tokyo Corporation, anticipate the need for ships, grains, tin, rubber and sugar, and keep placing buy orders. On the other hand, Kinki Corporation keeps a watchful eye on the market movements, and according to the business operations headquarters’ plan, puts the items up for sale at record high prices. Tawara quickly notices Kinki Corporation’s strategy.

Just as Iki and his men had projected, the third Middle East war ends after six days with an Israeli victory. Kinki Corporation emerges as the only victor and Daimon, who is surrounded by the mass media, is in a good mood.

Having finally finished his work, Iki visits Tanigawa, who has continued to aid those who have returned from Siberia, and derives momentary comfort. The next day, Iki heads to Kyoto to fulfill a promise he had made to Chisato to persuade her older brother, Seiki, to come down from Mt Hiei.

With Chisato as his guide, Iki visits Seiki’s retreat. He advises Seiki to come down but Seiki refuses. He says he took up the teachings of the Tendai sect of Buddhism because he felt that as a survivor, he had to achieve an accomplishment in place of the soldiers who had died as a result of the trust they placed in him. “Above all, I can attain some peace of mind by cultivating religious discipline. I feel like I am moving closer to my subordinates who died on the island of Luzon …” There is nothing that Iki can say in response to the words that Seiki has quietly spoken.

After leaving Mt Hiei, Iki drops by the Akitsu family home and tells Chisato’s uncle, Noritsugu, about Seiki. Then, Tanami Yasuo, a Noh actor, arrives. Chisato and Tanami were formally introduced at a marriage meeting about seven years ago, but at that time, both of them had said they could not marry because they were devoted to their craft. Noritsugu encourages Chisato to marry Tanami.

Iki later visits a place which has views of the city together with Chisato. Chisato tells him that the sunset viewed from this spot is beautiful. And then she suddenly says, “I should consider marriage …”

The next day, Iki looks Daimon up in his office. He brings up the matter of the war-time standard vessels, wondering aloud whether there is a problem with the company’s makeup or whether his promotion has created an emotionally-charged standoff with those jealous of his position. He declares that he will be able to work better if he is not the managing director. Even though he devises strategies, he cannot swiftly implement them out of consideration for personnel affairs. Either remove him from the position or let him have authority over the deputy CEO. That means Iki will in fact become the second in command at Kinki Corporation …

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Filed under: Fall 2009, Fumou Chitai   |  Leave a Comment

Saka no Ue no Kumo

22Nov09

Official Website
http://www9.nhk.or.jp/sakanoue/

Broadcast
Sundays, 8.00 – 9.30 p.m. from 29 November – 27 December 2009
(followed by broadcasts in autumn 2010 and 2011)

Station
NHK

Story
It is 1868, the birth of the modern state of Japan after the collapse of the shogunate system which lasted for 260 years. The fifth son of the Akiyama family of Iyo Matsuyama in Shikoku is born. He is named Akiyama Saneyuki (childhood name: Akiyama Jungoro). After the Meiji Restoration, the Matsuyama domain’s public finances run out and feudal retainers live in dire poverty. It is especially miserable for the Akiyama family which has many children. However, Saneyuki’s older brother, Yoshifuru, (childhood name: Akiyama Shinzaburo) is more delighted than anyone about Saneyuki’s birth and takes good care of him. The 16-year-old Yoshifuru aims to enter a normal school (now called teachers college) which does not require school fees and sets off for Osaka. After that, he goes up to Tokyo and enrolls at the military academy before returning home. Yoshifuru suggests that his parents let Saneyuki go on to junior high school using his own allowance. A few years later, Saneyuki’s classmate and childhood friend, Masaoka Shiki (known as Noboru) drops out of junior high school and goes up to Tokyo with his sights set on Daigaku Preparatory School (predecessor of Daiichi Preparatory School). Saneyuki would also like to study in Tokyo. His wish is granted by Yoshifuru and Saneyuki enters the Kyoryu School (now Kaisei Junior & Senior High School) in Kanda that Shiki attends. One day, the two of them are invited by their English language teacher to go to the enclave for foreign residents in Yokohama. Saneyuki and Shiki see the most advanced cruiser over there and are overwhelmed by its majestic appearance …

Characters
Motoki Masahiro as Akiyama Saneyuki
Born in 1868 as the fifth son of Akiyama Heigoro and the younger brother of Akiyama Yoshifuru. Saneyuki, who was called the strategist in the history of the Japanese navy, graduated from the naval academy at the top of his class. He was in charge of planning the strategies of the combined fleet throughout the course of the Russo-Japanese naval war and guided the Japanese navy to a crushing victory over the enemy in the Battle of the Sea of Japan.

Abe Hiroshi as Akiyama Yoshifuru
Born in 1859 as the third son of Akiyama Hisataka and the older brother of Akiyama Yoshifuru. Yoshifuru, who learnt the art of cavalry warfare when he studied abroad in France, is called the father of Japan’s modern cavalry. He distinguished himself by stopping the offensive of the Russian Cossack calvary, particularly in the Battle of Sandepu, and guiding the Japanese army to a victory in a battle that was called “the greatest challenge of the Russo-Japanese War”.

Kagawa Teruyuki as Masaoka Shiki
Born in 1867 as the eldest son of Masaoka Tsunenao. Saneyuki’s childhood friend. His father died early but because his mother was the eldest daughter of the scholar, Ohara Kanzan, he had literary, artistic lineage. While he was a junior high school student, he was influenced by the democratic rights movement and aspired to be a politician but the countryside of Matsuyama did not satisfy him, so he dropped out of school and went up to Tokyo to study. However, he suffered a lung haemorrhage. During his recuperation, he switched paths to haiku and sought to revolutionise haiku and tanka. He played an important role in Japan’s modern literature.

Kanno Miho as Masaoka Ritsu
Born in 1870 as the younger sister of Masaoka Shiki. She nursed Shiki during his battle with illness and supported him in his literary revolution. After his death, she entered a vocational school and became a teacher at the school after her graduation but resigned to look after her sick mother. She later opened a needlework classroom at Shikian to make a living.

Matsu Takako as Akiyama Tami
Born in 1869 as the eldest daughter of the Sakuma family, a former vassal to the shogun. Yoshifuru’s wife. Yoshifuru lodged with the Sakuma family when he was a junior officer after he left the military academy. Because of her dignified personality, she is also the pride of her mother-in-law.

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Filed under: Fall 2009   |  Leave a Comment

Winter 2010 Dramas – Rumours

21Nov09

TBA
Date: January 2010, Wednesdays 10.00 pm
Station: NTV
Cast: Ueto Aya

Angel Heart
Date: January 2010, Thursdays 12.00 am
Station: NTV
Cast: Higa Manami, Kamikawa Takaya

Keirin Yaro
Date: January 2010, Fridays 10.00 pm
Station: TBS
Cast: Domoto Tsuyoshi

Coffee Prince ~ Ichigo-ten
Date: February 2010, Tuesdays 9.00 pm
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Tamaki Hiroshi, Eikura Nana, Yoshizawa Hisashi, Katase Nana, Sakimoto Hiromi, Wada Soko, Fukutoku Shusuke, Watanabe Mayu, Enami Kyoko, Furuta Arata

Keiji Kamo Shinnosuke
Date: January 2010, Thursdays 8.00 pm
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Terawaki Yasufumi, Tomita Yasuko, Sugawara Daikichi, Tanabe Seiichi, Kaneda Akio

Once Upon a Time in Tokyo
Date: January 2010, Fridays 9.00 pm
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Kitamura Kazuki, Matsuzaka Keiko

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge
Date: January 2010
Station: TBA
Cast: TBA

Filed under: Upcoming Japanese Dramas   |  13 Comments

Jin – Episode 7 Trailer

21Nov09

Episode 7: Living Testament (Airs 22 November 2009)

The tumult set off by Saburi, which rocks the Western Medicine Institute, looks like it may be settled with Jin’s departure from the institute. However, doctors who do not approve of Jin remain within the institute and this affects Ogata and the other doctors who support Jin’s medical techniques.

Jin quits the Western Medicine Institute but continues to use the penicillin brought by Yamada to treat syphilis.

One day, Kiichi comes in search of Jin and tells him that Akane, whom he works with at the tea house, has serious injuries. Jin hurries to visit Akane’s home together with Saki but Akane has been scalded by the oil used to deep-fry food and has to have a skin draft to heal her wounds. However, a skin graft requires large amounts of penicillin and Jin makes a request to Ogata for a massive production of penicillin. Ogata willingly accepts but asks Jin to let his friend watch the surgery too.

And so, Akane’s skin graft begins with Ogata and his friend, Hamaguchi, watching. The surgery proceeds smoothly and even Hamaguchi cannot hide his surprise at the medical techniques he sees with his very own eyes. However, what awaits Jin and the others after that is an incident that they least expect …

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TV Asahi Drama Specials 2009 (Fourth Quarter)

20Nov09

Kekkon
Date: From 9.00 p.m., 28 November 2009
Cast: Watari Tetsuya, Ueto Aya, Takahashi Keiko, Saigo Teruhiko, Tokushige Satoshi, Matsuzaka Keiko, Wakao Ayako
Synopsis: Uehara Yuzo (Watari Tetsuya) is the eight generation owner of an established kimono accessories shop. He wants his only daughter, Chikage (Ueto Aya) to take a husband and succeed him. Chikage pledges herself to Kano Kota (Tokushige Satoshi) who works in the same department as her but his parents are dead set against it and a feud breaks out between the two families. They seem to have reached a deadlock in the marriage but Chikage and Kota resort to tough measures at the advice of Chikage’s aunt, Shino (Wakao Ayako).
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kekkon/

Hagure Keiji Junjo-ha ~ Last Special
Date: From 9.00 p.m., 26 December 2009
Cast: Fujita Makoto, Ikegami Kimiko, Murakami Shingo, Machida Shingo, Ogawa Noriko, Matsuoka Yumi, Mano Azusa, Oba Jun, Wakabayashi Tetsuyuki, Shimada Junshi, Umemiya Tatsuo, Okamoto Rei, Sato Atsuhiro
Synopsis: A person emerges as a suspect in the murder of a female lawyer. He is a youth called Kitahara (Sato Atsuhiro) whom Yasuura Kichinosuke (Fujita Makoto) and his ex-colleague Tasaki Haruko (Okamoto Rei) had once arrested and believed they had reformed. Furthermore, the case which resulted in Kitahara’s arrest was the “origin of Yasuura’s empathetic brand of investigation”. Mentally prepared to resign, Yasuura risks his own life as a detective to solve the case.
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/hagure/

Tsubakiyama Ka-chou no Nanokakan
Date: Winter 2009 (TBA)
Cast: Funakoshi Eiichiro, Ishihara Satomi, Tanaka Misako, Toda Naho, Takaoka Sousuke, Azuma Chizuru, Nakamura Shunsuke, Tsugawa Masahiko, Kitaoji Kinya
Synopsis: Tsubakiyama Kazuaki (Funakoshi Eiichiro), a middle-aged section manager of a department store who lived only for his work, suddenly dies from overwork and stress. Worried about the work and family that he has left behind, he comes back to this world for three days in the body of a young, beautiful girl Kazuyama Tsubaki (Ishihara Satomi). Coming into contact with his family in a form completely different from the time he was alive, he ends up learning the unexpected truths and harsh realities …
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/tsubakiyama/

Danzetsu
Date: From 9.00 p.m., 3 October 2009
Cast: Matsudaira Ken, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Tsuda Kanji, Hoshino Mari, Sakurai Atsuko, Kikawada Masaya, Kashiwabara Shuji, Harada Daijiro, Nishina Akiko, Watanabe Ikkei, Honda Hirotaro, Ishibashi Nenji, Nagatsuka Kyozo
Synopsis: Kenmotsu Ryutaro (Matsudaira Ken), is an influential Diet member from the ruling party and a man of integrity who has wholeheartedly followed the path he believed in. He prides himself in having worked for the development of Shionada City and Japan, and has similarly walked the path of righteousness in his own life. But the one time when he didn’t was … There is another important person here – Ishigami Ken (Nishijima Hidetoshi), detective of Shionada Precinct. He has a strong sense of justice that suggests an awkwardness and won’t attempt to take action if he doesn’t agree with the orders of his superiors. This may have been inherited from his father, Ishigami Hajime (Nagatsuka Kyozo), who had been good friends with Kemotsu since childhood. As the prefecture’s treasurer, he ousted fraud in Shionada City together with Kenmotsu, the prefecture’s governor at that time. One day, the dead body of a female whose throat was blown out by a shotgun, is found in Shionada. Opinions are divided about whether it was a suicide or murder, and it takes forever to determine the identity of the person. Ken’s instinct is that it was a murder. However, the investigation will be wrapped up as a suicide with the body still unidentified … Ken is unable to accept it but there’s nothing that he can do if he doesn’t know the identity …
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/danzetsu/

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Filed under: 2009 Drama Specials (Second Half), Upcoming Drama Specials   |  Leave a Comment

Upcoming Winter Dramas 2010

20Nov09

Code Blue ~ Doctor Heli Kinkyukyumei Season 2^*NEW*
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, January 2010
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Asari Yosuke, Higa Manami, Shiina Kippei, Lily Franky, Katsushima Masanobu, Terashima Susumu, Sugimoto Tetta, Kodama Kiyoshi
Synopsis: -
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/codeblue/

Hanchou ~ Jinnansho Azumihan Season 2
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Mondays, 11 January 2010
Station: TBS
Cast: Sasaki Kuranosuke, Nakamura Shunsuke, Tsukaji Muga, Kurotani Tomoka, Kashu Toshiki, Yamaguchi Shogo, Yasu Megumi, Hosokawa Shigeki, Tayama Ryosei, Natori Yuko
Synopsis: Young, individualistic urban detectives led by Assistant Inspector Azumi Tsuyoshi, have neither special abilities nor the backing of influential figures, but they solve each case through their persistent efforts.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/hanchou2009/

Massugu na Otoko^*NEW*
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 12 January 2010
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Sato Ryuta, Fukuda Kyoko, Kanjiya Shihori, Endo Yuya, Sasaki Nozomi, Uno Misako, Ukaji Takashi, Takizawa Saori, Sakura, Miura Rieko, Watabe Atsuro
Synopsis: Matsushima Kenichiro (Sato Ryuta) is basically a straight guy because he hates dishonesty. He is an employee at a medium-sized building firm and works in design. However, he is inept when it comes to love. Kenichiro’s destiny changes after he meets Kurita Narumi (Fukuda Kyoko), an audacious, self-centred impish female. He becomes serious about leading her back to the right path which she finds interesting. While getting pushed around by Narumi, who is the exact opposite of him, Kenichiro learns about her way of doing things and way of life. He is stimulated by her and gradually gets attracted to her … Before long, he starts to look at a new self and at the things he had believed were correct, maturing into a more upright man.
Website: http://ktv.jp/man/

Akakabu Kenji Kyoto-hen
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Wednesdays, January 2010
Station: TBS
Cast: Nakamura Baijaku, Kikukawa Rei, Hara Sachie, Asagi Kuniko, Nakanishi Ryota, Kawamata Shinobu, Abe Shinnosuke, Yasui Kenichiro, Ono Takehiko, Kotegawa Yuko
Synopsis: Hiiragi Shigeru (Nakamura Baijaku) is not an elite who passed the bar exam but a public prosecutor’s assistant officer who worked his way up to be a public prosecutor. He is certainly not the aggressive sort and speaks in Nagoya dialect. He defeats sly, elite lawyers in courtroom showdowns through his decades of experience and legal knowledge. A lover of red turnips, his nickname “Akakabu Kenji” came about when he was the head of the Takayama District Public Prosecutors’ Office in Gifu. During one episode, he bought his favourite red turnips first thing in the morning, brought them to the courtroom and scattered them on the floor out of a whim, earning the laughter of the judges.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/akakabukenji/

Angel Bank ~ Tenshoku Dairinin^*NEW*
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, January 2010
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Hasegawa Kyoko, Wentz Eiji, Namase Katsuhisa
Synopsis: Ino Mamako (Hasegawa Kyoko) has been working as an English teacher in a high school for nine years. Wanting to “reset her life”, she decides to change jobs despite the severe employment situation. However, Mamako meets with the charismatic career-change representative, Ebisawa Kosei (Namase Katsuhisa), by coincidence and finds herself attracted to his service-mindedness and inability to refuse when asked. She is hired on probation as a career-change agent but at this new workplace, she faces clients with all kinds of problems and circumstances, as well as the reasons and real intentions of the employers who look to these career-change applicants to get over the economic downturn.
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/angelbank/

Salaryman Kintaro Season 2^*NEW*
Date: From 11.00 p.m., Fridays, January 2010
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Nagai Masaru, Inoue Waka, Aoyama Noriko, Hosokawa Shigeki, Furuya Ikkou, Utsui Ken
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kintaro/

Bloody Monday Season 2^*NEW*
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Saturdays, January 2010
Station: TBS
Cast: Haruma Miura, Sato Takeru, Kichise Michiko, Matsushige Yutaka, Ashina Sei, Kawashima Umika, Narimiya Hiroki, Kurokawa Tomoka, Takashima Masahiro, Yoshizawa Hisashi
Synopsis: -
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/bloody-monday/

Hidarime Tantei EYE^*NEW*
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, January 2010
Station: NTV
Cast: Yamada Ryosuke, Yokoyama Yu, Ishihara Satomi
Synopsis: Tanaka Ainosuke (Yamada Ryosuke), a third-year junior high school student with a strong sense of justice, underwent a cornea transplant of the left eye. However, after that, he received news that his older brother, Yumehito (Yokoyama Yu), the donor of that cornea, had died in an accident. Furthermore, Ainosuke was shocked by the images in his left eye which he had never seen before. Deducing that these images were connected to his brother’s death, Ainosuke began to search for the truth surrounding the death of his beloved brother and only immediate family. But as the investigation progressed, Ainosuke discovered that Yumehito’s death had been fake and that he is actually the leader of an evil organisation. This sets the stage for a clash of fate between the two brothers. Ainosuke, the young sleuth armed with a special left eye and Yumehito, the genius criminal who has carried out many criminal plots.
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/eye/

Kimitachi ni Asu wa Nai
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 16 January 2010
Station: NHK
Cast: Sakaguchi Kenji, Tanaka Misako, Sudo Risa, Kitamura Yukiya, Aso Yumi, Murata Takehiro, Sakai Masaaki
Synopsis: Murakami Shinsuke (Sakaguchi Kenji) is a consultant working at a company that undertakes corporate restructuring. Murakami is a professional who goes into companies which have been squeezed by the recession and are on the verge of collapse. He conducts interviews with the employees of such companies and pressures them to resign in the name of “voluntary retirement”. Faced with this crushing life crisis of “corporate restructuring”, Murakami’s interviewees are severely distressed. They are forced to look hard at themselves and make the ultimate decision. This time, Murakami’s client is a manufacturer of building products listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. He is assigned a “quota” of 200 people for “voluntary retirement”. No matter how resentful or battered they are, Murakami dispassionately induces his interviewees to take “voluntary retirement” in one interview after another. However …
Website: -

Ryomaden
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, January 2010
Station: NHK
Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Terajima Shinobu, Kodama Kiyoshi, Sugimoto Tetta, Matsubara Chieko, Kagawa Teruyuki, Omori Nao, Hirosue Ryoko, Maki Yoko, Kanjiya Shihori, Kaname Jun, Sato Takeru, Oizumi Yo, Takahashi Katsumi, Kanie Keizo, Takeda Tetsuya
Synopsis: Sakamoto Ryoma (Fukuyama Masaharu) was born as the second son of the Sakamoto family, who were merchant samurai in the Tosa domain (present day Kochi Prefecture). Because the Sakamotos were originally merchants, Ryoma was in touch with the free and businesslike mercantile spirit as he grew up. He left the constrictive Tosa domain and learnt sailing under Katsu Kaishu (Takeda Tetsuya), a vassal of the shogun. Ryoma later established Kameyamashachu, a trading company and political organisation, and then Kaientai, a naval force, in Nagasaki. He mediated peace and concluded an alliance between the Satsuma and Choshu domains which had been at odds with each other. Furthermore, he orchestrated Tokugawa Yoshinobu’s restoration of imperial rule and was a key force in pushing through the Meiji Restoration. However, he was assassinated by someone at the young age of 33, with his dream to create “the world’s naval force” half accomplished …
Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/ryomaden/

Tokujo Kabachi
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 17 January 2010
Station: TBS
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Horikita Maki, Endo Kenichi, Takahashi Katsumi, Nakamura Masatoshi, Asano Yuko (guest star)
Synopsis: Compassionate, meddlesome Tamura Katsuhiro (Sakurai Sho), who burns with a sense of justice, enters the admired world of notaries public to save his mother. He moves from Hiroshima to Tokyo and joins the firm Ono Notaries Public. Studying as he works, he aims to become a notary public. Tamura in reality believes “law is not in the least just” but uses it as a weapon to save the weak. On the other hand, Sumiyoshi Misuzu (Horikita Maki), who used to be a delinquent youth, is a highly capable notary public. She hates to lose and dislikes men. Unable to accept Misuzu’s callous working style and nastiness, Tamura clashes with her over every little thing. At times, she yells at him but they gradually grow to understand each other, and mature as people and as lawyers.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/tokujyokabachi/

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Filed under: Upcoming 2010 Dramas, Upcoming Japanese Dramas, Winter 2010   |  5 Comments

Fuji TV Drama Specials 2010 (First Quarter)

18Nov09

Hanshin . Awaji Daishinsai kara 15-nen Kobe Shimbun no Nanokakan
Time: January 2010 (TBA)
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Fukiishi Kazue, Naito Takashi, Takashima Masahiro
Synopsis: On 17 January 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake occurred. Lifelines such as the roads, railroads, electricity, water supply, gas and telephone lines were cut off. At that time, Kobe Shimbun’s photojournalist Mitsuyama Tomohiko (Sakurai Sho), was a news photographer in his fourth year with the paper. Kobe Shimbun, which had been around for 110 years, was a popular local newspaper that the people of Hyogo had to have. Furthermore, its staff was proud that the the paper had never suspended publication since its establishment. However, the paper’s functions were completely paralysed by the earthquake, which had destroyed its computers and also made the development of photographs difficult. All they had left were just two phone lines and a rotary press but they did not give up producing newspapers.
Website: -

Rinne no Ame
Time: Winter 2010 (TBA)
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Yamamoto Yusuke, Seto Koji, Kanjiya Shihori, Aoki Munetaka, Nagai Masaru, Tezuka Satomi
Synopsis: Mikami Kohei (Yamamoto Yusuke) lives together with his younger brother, Shuhei (Seto Koji), who intellectually disabled. Their mother passed away and they were abandoned by his father. Learning that Shuhei has been battered on a daily basis by the manager of the factory that he works at, a furious Kohei robs the factory of money, kills the manager and enlists Shuhei’s help to bury the dead body in the hills. The police detectives, Tokunaga (Nagai Masaru) and Aoki (Aoki Munetaka), who are investigating the case, begin to suspect the Mikami brothers because of Shuhei’s behaviour. Shuhei, who has been taught that a person should not kill, is persuaded that “bad people die and will be reincarnated as good people”. But due to the stress brought on by his inability to understand why his older brother committed murder, he starts to display behaviour to the police and Kohei’s friends that is decisive in the arrest …
Website: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/rinne/

Saigo no Yakusoku
Time: Spring 2010 (TBA)
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Ono Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsumoto Jun, Kuroki Meisa
Synopsis: One day, a massive building is taken over in an unprecedented incident that shocks the police and mass media. Five guys happen to be present in that building. Will they be able to escape from this crisis?
Website: -

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Filed under: 2010 Drama Specials (First Half), Upcoming Drama Specials   |  1 Comment

Jin – Episode 6 Synopsis

17Nov09

Episode 6: Alive

Jin has created a stir with the production of penicillin, which had not been available in the Edo era, and his treatment of syphilis. His divine medical techniques rapidly spread around the city of Edo and he becomes a sensation to the extent that talismans calling him a god appear. Maybe it is because the Tokugawa government’s medical school heard these rumours that Jin is requested to have a meeting with the school’s principal, Taki Antaku. Traditional herbal medicine has been central to the country’s medical care since ancient times and the school, as headquarters for traditional herbal medicine, views the Western Medicine Institute as a newcomer that has brought western medicine in without permission.

At the school, Taki quizzes Jin about his background, asserting that it is a grave matter to have a person with an unknown identity in a public place like the institute. Ryoma and Kyotaro, who have come together with Jin to protect him at the orders of Katsu, skillfully try to sidestep questions on Jin’s identity but this only strengthens Taki’s distrust of Jin.

Then the school’s doctor of the inner palace, Fukuda Genko, who is also present at the meeting with Taki, suddenly complains of abdominal pains and collapses. Examining Fukuda, Jin diagnoses a high possibility of a ruptured gastric ulcer. Since it will develop into an inflammation of the peritoneum if left alone, Jin hurriedly begins preparations to perform an emergency surgery on Fukuda. He explains that Fukuda’s abdomen has to be cut so that the hole in his stomach wall can be closed up. This horrifies all the doctors of the school, including Taki, but Jin boldly proceeds with the surgery even as everyone watches on with hostility …

However, after the surgery, Saburi is discovered to have caused an incident which shakes up the Western Medicine Institute. His scalpel had been found in the room of a murdered woman. Saburi desperately tries to explain that he had treated the woman while she was ill and conducted an autopsy after her death. But Ito demands that someone take responsibility because the unauthorised autopsy has set a bad example for others. “Saburi’s disgrace is my disgrace,” Ogata says and asks Ito to let Saburi and himself quit. Jin is troubled by the course of events.

The next day, Jin visits the institute. Expressing his wish to resign, he asks Ogata and Ito to pardon Saburi. Ryoma, who had overheard the conversation, voices his worry that Jin seems to have no desires, and along with it the will to live.

Meanwhile, at Suzuya, an unbelievable rumour about Jin is relayed to Nokaze … A shaven head man who was thought to be a doctor, was overheard saying that Jin is a monster that has to be killed for the sake of the medical society. Flustered, Nokaze gets up. Throwing the doors of her room open, she is about to hurry out but stops … Instead, Saki receives a letter from her.

“Saki-sama,
Someone out there … I’m not exactly certain who,
is trying to kill Minakata-sensei.
But I’m like a caged bird, not allowed to set one foot outside Yoshiwara.
I can only put myself at your mercy.
Saki-sama, you say you envy me but
I’m envious of you.
Your free spirit,
your innocence and honesty too.
And most of all, your lot in life.
You can go over and be near the person that you love.
For me, it’s a dream that won’t come true.
Please protect the doctor, Saki-sama.

Saki dashes off when she discovers that Jin had left the house alone. Meanwhile, in the woods, Jin is confronted by a sword-wielding man who charges at him. Jin stands frozen in shock as the man raises the sword over his head. At the last moment, someone pulls Jin away by the arm … It is Saki! The two of them flee through the woods and seek refuge behind a tree at a nearby shrine. The man pursues them but is forced to run away when he stumbles upon a couple’s rendezvous and cries of “suspicious fellow” fill the air. Jin thanks Saki for saving his life but she tells him that the person he should thank is Nokaze.

Ryoma confronts Taki on the attempt on Jin’s life. Taki acknowledges that Jin is formidable, but declares that he lives with the pride of a doctor and won’t resort to killing a person to protect himself even though doctors like him will be abandoned if Jin’s medical techniques spread.

At that moment, Ogata, Saburi and the other doctors find that someone has wreaked havoc at the laboratory where the penicillin is being made …

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Filed under: Fall 2009, Jin   |  1 Comment

Fumou Chitai – Episode 5 Synopsis

16Nov09

Episosde 5: War and three females

In December 1959, Iki submits his letter of resignation to Daimon. He intends to take responsibility for the trouble caused to the company as a result of the arrest of his subordinate, Koide, in securing the order of Luckheed’s F104 as the Defence Agency’s next generation of fighter planes. Daimon understands Iki’s feelings but in the same way that a soldier does not write a resignation letter to take responsibility for the failure of a mission, in a corporate battle, he will not allow Iki to write a resignation letter without careful consideration. What Iki must do is the kind of work that will pay tribute to the spirit of the departed Kawamata, Daimon says.

Iki gives up on his plan to resign and is offered the post of the head of the Steel Division. This is intended to strengthen Kinki Corporation, which has weak ties with the steel industry because of its focus on the textile business, in a Japanese economy that is becoming more heavily industrialised.

In March 1964, Iki succeeds in affiliating major, strong wholesalers in steel with Kinki Corporation. Daimon accepts Iki’s proposal to set up a division that will direct the entire company’s corporate strategy and entrusts it all to Iki.

Iki sends for Hyodo, who is at the London branch; Kaibe, who is at the New York branch; and Fuwa Shusaku, who is at the Hong Kong branch, to build the headquarters for the operations. Within two years, Iki transfers 200 people from the Textile Division to non-textile divisions in the undertaking of a large-scale personnel reshuffle, and the Steel Division racks up profits.

Applauding the results of the business operations headquarters, Daimon makes Iki the managing director in April 1967. However, Iki’s way of doing things infuriate Satoi, who is now the deputy CEO; Ichimaru, the Executive Director for Textiles; and other people.

At that moment, Iki and his men get information on the tensions in the Middle East. Fearing a third Middle East war will erupt, Iki focuses efforts on gathering intelligence. Meanwhile, Samejima, who has been promoted to Executive Director for Transport at Tokyo Corporation, has also detected changes in the Middle East situation and starts preparing for the outbreak of war.

One night, Iki meets Chisato again. Chisato says she would like to consult him on the matter of her older brother, Seiki, who has been undertaking ascetic practices at Mt Hiei. Seiki is actually suffering from tuberculosis. However, he is unmoved by his sister’s entreaties and has no intention of stopping his training. Iki promises Chisato that he will make time to go to Mt Hiei with her when he comes to Osaka on a business trip.

After dining together, Iki and Chisato visit the club, Le Bois. And Beniko, who has become the second wife of an Indonesian Chinese trader, Howan Kan Chen, and should be living in Jakarta, shows up. Teasing Iki, Beniko says this is her first time meeting his girlfriend. Concerned about Chisato, Iki chides Beniko for being out of line. Then Chisato flatly tells her that that is not the case.

Beniko detains Iki as he is about to leave and broaches the subject of the Middle East situation. She says she has received various information ever since her marriage to Howan, then tells Iki that he will know if he asks, Takenaka Kanji, the international lobbyist for information on Israel.

Iki escorts Chisato to her hotel and comes home late. Naoko also returns. Learning that the guy who has sent her home is Tomoatsu, the son of Samejima, Iki is strongly against their relationship.

The business operations headquarters, which has continued to gather intelligence day and night, learns of the ever-increasing possibility of a Middle East war. Meanwhile, Iki visits Anhiru Koichi, the president of a company called Nitto Trading, whom he had been introduced to by Takenaka. Anhiru is dealing with the import of Israeli farm produce but says he has recently received a large quantity of orders for tin and rubber from Israel which he cannot fulfill. Iki immediately promises to help and gets information on Israel from Anhiru. Anhiru also judges that war will breakout within this one week. The Israelis will win and the war will end in a short time.

Returning to Kinki Corporation, Iki asks the Food Division to import Israeli oranges. This being Anhiru’s request in exchange for the provision of information. Satoi learns about that. Addressing the members of the Food Division, he says that he personally feels the ways of the business operations headquarters should be reviewed and tells them to report any problems to him.

Hyodo is contacted by Beniko and meets Howan, who has come to Japan. Howan is one of four Indonesian Chinese who run big conglomerates, and he is a key figure in Southeast Asian trade because of the network he has around the world. Having just returned from Cairo, Howan tells Hyodo that the Suez Canal will definitely be blocked. Anticipating that, he wants Kinki Corporation to have five 10,000 ton deadweight vessels built in accordance to war-time standards, at under $400,000 per vessel ready. Their deadline is tomorrow. Iki instructs Hyodo to immediately negotiate with the Ship Division.

Then, Iki receives a call from Anhiru, who conveys news of the blockage of the Gulf of Aqaba by the United Arab Republic. Iki reports this to Daimon and Satoi, telling them that the business operations headquarters analysis is for the third Middle East war to end within a short time with Israeli victory. However, Satoi says the United Arab Republic has superior war power. Furthermore, he drags in the matter of Nitto Trading and the vessel arrangements, accusing Iki of causing trouble by acting without thinking. Daimon rebukes Satoi and immediately orders an emergency board meeting.

At that moment, Samejima, who has learnt of Howan’s request to Kinki Corporation, starts getting into action in attempt to wrest it from them.

All text copyright © jdramas.wordpress.com.

Filed under: Fall 2009, Fumou Chitai   |  Leave a Comment

Soratobu Taiya – Subbing Status

15Nov09

Episode 1: Translation in progress

Filed under: Soratobu Taiya, Spring 2009, Subbed Works, WOWOW   |  1 Comment