Winter 2013 Dramas

Hanchou ~ Keishichou Azumi-han Season 6
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Mondays, 14 January 2013
Station: TBS
Cast: Sasaki Kuranosuke, Higa Manami, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Fukushi Seiji, Takashima Reiko (guest star), Musaka Naomasa, Kato Natsuki, Goda Masashi, Hayashiya Shozo, Masu Takeshi, Kaneda Akio, Hashizume Isao, Satomi Kotaro
Synopsis: Japan’s first police branch office is established in order to remedy the progressive organisational rigidity in crime scene investigations. Kawaguchi Sotaro (Satomi Kotaro), the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s head of criminal affairs, chooses the Oshiage district as a model. The police branch office stands between the police precinct and police box, and is expected to have a neutral stance. Azumi Tsuyoshi (Sasaki Kuranosuke), Yuki Saori (Higa Manami), Ozaki Makoto (Ozawa Yukiyoshi) and Koike Tatsuya (Fukushi Seiji), who had displayed exceptional teamwork and prevented a heinous terrorist attack six months ago, have been appointed as staff of this police branch office. What awaits Team Azumi not long after they arrive at their new post is an “old town” that retains the traditional spirit of artisans even as it has undergone big changes. In particular, the old doctor Mizusawa Keijiro (Hashizume Isao), who has been a practising physician in this town for many years and is affectionately called ‘Dr Red Beard’ by the townspeople, is leery of the police organisation and stands in the way of all of Team Azumi’s investigations. What happened between Mizusawa and the police?
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/hancho
Related: Hanchou ~ Keishichou Azumi-han Season 5

Biblia Koshodo no Jiken Techou
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Mondays, 14 January 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Goriki Ayame, AKIRA, Tanaka Kei, Suzuki Kosuke, Kitagawa Hiromi, Jesse, Mizuno Erina, Triendl Reina, Naito Risa, Yasuda Narumi, Matsuzaka Keiko, Takahashi Katsumi
Synopsis: Biblia Second-hand Bookstore has been quietly open for business in some corner of Kamakura. Its owner is Shinokawa Shioriko (Goriki Ayame), a young, pretty but introverted girl who is extremely shy around strangers and cannot interact well with people she meets for the first time. However, when it comes to knowledge of old books, no one can to compare to her. Talking about books makes Shioriko forget her shyness. In fact, she becomes eloquent and passionate. She unravels the mysteries and secrets associated with many old books with her vast knowledge and keen eye … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/biblia

Shuden Bye Bye
Date: From 12.20 a.m., Mondays, 14 January 2013
Station: TBS
Cast: Hamada Gaku, Furutachi Kanji, Fukami Motoki, Yano Masato, Tamura Kentaro, Morooka Hiroaki, Mitsuyama Fumiaki, Nagai Hideki, Yanaka Atsushi
Synopsis: A man (Hamada Gaku) has missed the last train. He has no money to use other means of transport and it is hours before the first train. In one night, he experiences “late-night adult adventures” in the vicinity of the station while waiting for the first train.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/shuden_byebye

Last Hope
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 15 January 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Aiba Masaki, Tabe Mikako, Tanabe Seiichi, Kitamura Yukiya, Sakuraba Nanami, Hirata Mitsuru, Takashima Masahiro, Kohinata Fumiyo
Synopsis: Hatano Takumi (Aiba Masaki) is a physician. He worked as a doctor in private practice at Hatano Clinic which is run by his father (Hirata Mitsuru), but joins the Advanced Medical Care Centre located in Teito University on his father’s advice. Takumi has an outstanding ability to empathise and imagine the pain of other people, read the myriad emotions lurking within patients and give them hope to live. He is what one would call a professional at diagnosis. On the other hand, he is a slightly peculiar person who must grab a snack at 3.00 p.m. and do things at his pace. Tachibana Ayumi (Tabe Mikako) is a cool-headed emergency doctor at the same centre and the exact opposite of Takumi. It seems that there is a secret in Takumi’s early years, but he is not aware of it. When this secret comes to light …?!
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/LASTHOPE

Saki
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 8 January 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Nakama Yukie, Miura Shohei, Uchida Yuki, Shonozaki Ken, Kamakari Kenta, Hagiwara Masato, Ishiguro Hideo, Takashima Masanobu
Synopsis: Amihama Saki (Nakama Yukie) works as a nurse at a general hospital’s department of pediatrics. She has angelic smiles for her child patients, is a professional at cooking, exquisite in her manners. The ideal woman to men. But Saki is also the same Meyer Saki that had destroyed the happy family that Yano Eriko built. This time, Saki’s targets are men including Nitta Hayato (Miura Shohei), a reporter of a major magazine who is searching for the older sister he was separated from at birth; the famous, respected, squeaky clean human rights lawyer Nomura Kosuke (Hagiwara Masato); and Sudo Shigeyuki (Takashima Masanobu), the director of the hospital where Saki works who is a devoted husband and family man. Those targetted by her are unknowingly at her mercy and eventually ruined. Even so, all of them unanimously say this of her, “I’m glad I could get to know Saki. If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t be the person I am now. What has happened isn’t her fault. I was just acting on my feelings. Saki was only the one who made me aware of those feelings.”
Website: www.ktv.jp/saki
Related: Utsukushii Rinjin

Itsuka Hi no Ataru Basho de
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Tuesdays, 8 January 2013
Station: NHK
Cast: Ueto Aya, Iijima Naoko, Saito Takumi, Daito Shunsuke, Fukutoku Shusuke, Fujita Tomoko, Matsukane Yoneko, Ryu Raita, Asano Atsuko
Synopsis: Hako (Ueto Aya) was senteced to 7 years in prison on a robbery charge for the host she loved. Ayaka (Iijima Naoko) killed her husband to protect their son from domestic violence. These two women became acquainted in prison and forged strong bonds. After they are released from prison, they stay together and begin new lives in the old district of Yanaka in Tokyo while carrying pasts that no one must not know.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama10/itsuka

Shotenin Michiru no Mi no Uebanashi
Date: From 10.55 p.m., Tuesdays, 8 January 2013
Station: NHK
Cast: Toda Erika, Kora Kengo, Emoto Tasuku, Ando Sakura, Haru, Arai Hirofumi, Hamada Mari, Asada Miyoko, Hirata Mitsuru, Omori Nao
Synopsis: Michiru (Toda Erika) is an ordinary girl who works at a bookshop in a provincial town. She has been dating Kutaro (Emoto Tasuku) for a year, but they have not taken the plunge and married. Michiru’s little secret is that she is having an affair with Toyomasu (Arai Hirofumi), a publishing company’s salesman, who comes from Tokyo. One day, Michiru slips out of the bookshop and goes to see Toyomasu off as he returns to Tokyo. On the spur of a moment, they leave for Tokyo together and she stays on in the metropolis. Then, Michiru learns that the lottery she bought at the request of a workplace colleague was the winning 200 million yen lottery ticket. Michiru’s destiny starts to take a thrilling turn. She does not tell anyone about winning the lottery and roams around with the 200 million yen in her bank passbook. Takei (Kora Kengo), Michiru’s childhood friend who loves her, shows his unexpected true self. Kutaro and Toyomasu get involved in the matter. Where will Michiru land up?
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/michiru

Kodomo Keishi
Date: From 12.55 a.m., Tuesdays, 22 January 2013
Station: TBS
Cast: Marius Yo, Suzuki Fuku, Honda Miu, Shaku Yumiko, Hamano Kenta, Matsuo Eita, Minamino Saki
Synopsis: Now the size of a child after being gassed by the evil syndicate, Red Venus, Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s Superintendent Hazama Seishiro (Marius Yo) attends elementary school on the side in addition to his activities as a detective. He solves a string of incidents in school like cheating and theft of pocket money with his investigative ability and vast knowledge. Undercover agent Takamura Kaori (Shaku Yumiko) infiltrates the school as a teacher to support Aida.
Website: kodomokeishi.com
Related: Kodomo Keisatsu

Sharehouse no Koibito
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Wednesdays, 16 January 2013
Station: NTV
Cast: Mizukawa Asami, Oizumi Yo, Nakajima Yuto, Kawaguchi Haruna, Kimino Yuma, Kinami Haruka, Hankai Kazuaki, Sudo Risa, Motai Masato, Tanihara Shosuke
Synopsis: 30-year-old Tsuyama Shio (Mizukawa Asami) is a plain-looking office lady at a conservative company. She is the only female full-time employee in her 30s. Sandwiched between an older male boss and younger female contract employees, she keeps paying attention to their needs, fearful of hurting feelings everyday. She has no boyfriend and no friends. Her close friend is the convenience store at night. While she sees herself living alone for the rest of her live, she vaguely wonders if she will die alone. In an attempt to change her life, Shio makes up her mind to get started by living in a shared house. Through a strange turn of events she meets two intriguing men … … and falls in love for the first time in a long while with one of them, Sakurai Yukiya (Tanihara Shosuke). Sakurai is a salaryman in his 40s has a wife and child but his life has ceased to matter because of something and he abandons work as well as family to come to the shared house. However, Sakurai is gradually drawn to the simple, gawky and mysterious Kawaki Tatsuhei (Oizumi Yo), an alien being from outer space who came to the house attracted to Shio. And so a curious love triangle begins.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/sharehouse

Kasouken no Onna Season 12
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Thursdays, 10 January 2013
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Sawaguchi Yasuko, Naito Takashi, Osada Seiya, Ono Takehiko, Saito Satoru, Izumi Masayuki, Okuda Erika, Takahashi Mitsuomi, Kato Takako, Tanaka Ken, Wakamura Mayumi
Synopsis: –
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kasouken

Otomesan
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 17 January 2013
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Kuroki Hitomi, Aibu Saki, Ishida Junichi, Daichi Yasuo, Kaku Tomohiro, Suzuki Sawa, Usuda Asami, Fuji Manami, Nami Etsuko, Oura Ryuichi, Jinbo Satoshi
Synopsis: Mizusawa Asako (Kuroki Hitomi), who was once picked on by her mother-in-law, resolves to be kind to Ririka (Aibu Saki), the wife of her only son, Yuta (Kaku Tomohiro). On the first day living together, they hit it off with each other and Asako thinks that peaceful relations between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will be built. However, certain behaviour by Ririka makes Asako suspicious of her background and their relationship starts to get strained. Before long, Asako begins to probe Ririka’s true identity and discovers her secrets one after another. As doubt gnaws at her, Asako becomes convinced that Ririka’s attempts to ruin the family is motivated by some agenda. However, her husband Hiroyuki (Ishida Junichi) shies away while her son takes sides with his wife … … Asako is on her own. “To let this daughter-in-law get her own way is to destroy the family I’ve struggled to build over 25 years!” Asako takes action and stands up against Ririka despite her fear. She does not know that an awful truth awaits her … …
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/otomesan

Apoyan ~ Hashiru Kokusai Kuukou
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Thursdays, 17 January 2013
Station: TBS
Cast: Ito Atsushi, Kiritani Mirei, Yamamoto Yusuke, Mashima Hidekazu, Toda Masahiro, Nakamura Yuri, Hizuki Hana, Aoyagi Sho, Lee Chizuru, Noguchi Seiko, Konno Narumi, Okochi Hiroshi, Hiraga Masaomi, Miyatake Mio, Nihei Koichi, Kanjiya Shihori, Yanagiba Toshiro
Synopsis: Endo Keita (Ito Atsushi) who has been planning tours at the main office of a travel agency, is suddenly assigned to Narita Airport. He had joined the company precisely because he wanted to plan tours … … A dejected Endo is bewildered by the different environment from his first day at work. His direct subordinate Morio Haruko (Kiritani Mirei) regards him with great hostility while his superior Imaizumi Toshio (Yanagiba Toshiro) is just flippant and unreliable. To begin with, his new workplace is full of females … … Baba Megumi (Kanjiya Shihori), who is the mediator among the women, is the only one who is kind to him. Endo works at the airport counter with these idiosyncratic women to fix customers’ problems. This is initially for the sake of returning to the main office, but he is gradually influenced by the passion of his colleagues to “make customers leave with a smile”.
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/apoyan

Saikou no Rikon
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Thursdays, 10 January 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Eita, Ono Machiko, Maki Yoko, Ayano Go, Ichikawa Miwako, Matsuo Satoru, Ono Yuriko, Serina, Miyaji Masako, Yachigusa Kaoru
Synopsis: “It’s painful. In any case, it’s painful. Marriage is a long torture session.” Hamasaki Mitsuo (Eita) gripes at a dental clinic. Hamasaki is an ordinary salaryman who works at a company that installs automatic vending machines. A jittery, socially awkward person, he has recently been transferred to do sales which he is not good at. That is partly the reason for the continuous bad shape various parts of his body is in. But he knows the reason for his biggest pain. It is his wife (soon to be ex-wife), Yuka (Ono Machiko). Hamasaki and Yuka married two years ago. He does not know if he loves her … … Anyhow, he and Yuka are completely unsuited. To put it kindly, she is big-hearted. To put it negatively, she is not the type who worries about details. At that moment, Hamasaki is reunited with Uehara Akari (Maki Yoko), his ex-girlfriend from university days, by some coincidence. Akari, who used to live with Hamasaki, has faint memories of him. She has just married Uehara Ryo (Ayano Go), an assistant at an arts college, but he continues to freely date other women.
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/saikouno_rikon

Otatsukeya Jinpachi
Date: From 11.58 p.m., Thursdays, 10 January 2013
Station: NTV
Cast: Miyagawa Daisuke, Koizumi Kotaro, Shizu-chan, Arimura Kasumi, Hosokawa Shigeki, Takeda Kozo, Kato Cha, Ito Shuko
Synopsis: Osaka-born rickshaw man Kurumaya Jinpachi (Miyagawa Daisuke) ends up inheriting the “backdoor business” from the late head of his family (Kato Cha) when least expected. It is a business which helps people in need and punishes villians that the law cannot bring to justice. Jinpachi joins forces with the former doctor and host Iguchi Tatsuya (Koizumi Kotaro) and the brawny geisha Ponta (Shizu-chan) to help people.
Website: www.ytv.co.jp/otasukeya

Kaen . Kita no Eiyuu Ateruiden
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Fridays, 11 January 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Cast: Osawa Takao, Kitamura Kazuki, Uchida Yuki, Ishiguro Ken, Ito Ayumi, Takanashi Rin, Osugi Ren, Nishioka Tokuma, Harada Mieko, Enami Kyoko, Koyama Shigeru, Takashima Masahiro, Kondo Masaomi
Synopsis: During the late Nara to the early Heian period, at a time when the giant statue of Buddha in Nara was created and the capital about to be moved to present day Kyoto, there were a people whom the imperial people called ’emishi’ in Tohoku. They are indigenous people of the north who have a distinct culture of their own and live peacefully with nature, but this peace is in jeopardy because the imperial court is trying to extend its influence all over by conquering the North. In Isawa in present day Oushu City, Iwate Prefecture), a youth called Aterui (Osawa Takao) rises up to protect his homeland and people. Together with his comrade More (Kitamura Kazuki), Aterui boldly challenges the formidable military power of the imperial army. As several battles are fought, the land is laid to waste and Aterui, who loses many men, gradually starts to have doubts about the very nature of fighting. Feeling conflicted and saddened, he heads into more battles. And then, at the final battle, he and arch enemy Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (Takashima Masahiro), the chief commander of the imperial army, begin a climatic showdown … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/jidaigeki/aterui

Yakou Kanransha
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Fridays, 18 January 2013
Station: TBS
Cast: Suzuki Kyoka, Ishida Yuriko, Miyasako Hiroyuki, Yasuda Shota, Sugisaki Hana, Miyazaki Karen, Nakagawa Taishi, Tanaka Tetsushi, Natsuki Mari, Takahashi Katsunori
Synopsis: Housewife Endo Mayumi (Suzuki Kyoka) bends over backwards to build and move into a small but dream home in an exclusive neighbourhood. Her dream should have been fulfilled. However, her daughter Ayaka (Sugisaki Hana), who has failed her junior high school exams, gets violent at home and her husband Keisuke (Miyasako Hiroyuki) develops a phobia of family. Mayumi is also bullied by Satoko (Natsuki Mari) the meddlesome wife of the neighbourhood council president, Kojima. On the other hand, the Takahashis live opposite the Endos in a luxurious house. The husband Hiroyuki (Tanaka Tetsushi) is a high flying doctor who runs a hospital. His wife Junko (Ishida Yuriko) is a beauty. Their eldest daughter Hinako (Miyazaki Karen) goes to the elite private high school that Ayaka failed to qualify for while their second son Shinji (Nakagawa Taishi) excels at sports. In addition, their eldest son Yoshiyuki (Yasuda Shota) lives alone in Kansai as he attends medical college. The Takahashis should have had a comfortable, happy life in a wonderful environment. But one day, a murder occurs at the Takahashis who look like the picture of happiness. The husband is killed. Thinking that the murderer is someone close that the husband knows by sight, the police proceed with the investigation. But their second son who should have been at home, goes missing on the day of the incident. The police (Takahashi Katsunori), the Takahashis’ surviving children, the Endos who have been listening out for commotion at the Takahashis as well as the neighbouring Kojimas begin to wonder if the boy is the real criminal … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/yakoukanransya

Nobunaga no Chef
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Fridays, 11 January 2013
Station: TV Asahi
Cast: Tamamori Yuta, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Shida Mirai, Gori, Ukaji Takashi, Kashii Yu, Ashina Sei, Inagaki Goro, Cunning Takeyama, Kitaro, Masana Bokuzo
Synopsis: French chef Ken (Tamamori Yuta) goes back in time to the Sengoku period and is saved by Natsu (Shida Mirai), a female swordsmith. Although Ken loses his memory, he retains significant knowledge of Japanese history and cuisine. He becomes the personal chef of Oda Nobunaga (Oikawa Mitsuhiro). While he wrestles with the questions of why he has been transported back in time or why he has lost his memory, he grows fascinated by Oda’s charisma. However, in history, Oda was slain during the incident at Honnoji Temple … … Although Ken knows of this fact, he can neither convey this or Oda’s inability to fulfill his hopes to unify the country.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/nobunaga

Mahoro Ekimae Bangaichi
Date: From 12.12 a.m., Fridays, 11 January 2013
Station: TV Tokyo
Cast: Matsuda Ryuhei, Eita, Omori Nao (guest star), Matsuo Suzuki (guest star), Kora Kengo (guest star), Kishibe Ittoku (guest star), Miura Masaki (guest star), Maro Akaji (guest star), Maki Yoko (guest star), Usuda Asami (guest star), Kawamura Yukie (guest star), Arai Hirofumi (guest star), Kuroki Haru (guest star), Sakai Maki (guest star), Watanabe Makiko (guest star), Kariya Yuiko (guest star), Yamamoto Maika (guest star), Nagasawa Toshiya (guest star), Masana Bokuzo (guest star), Natsume Shinya (guest star)
Synopsis: In the fictional town of Mahoro on the outskirts of Tokyo is Tada Benriken, a small business which does odd jobs. Its owner is the solemn and level-headed Tada Keisuke (Eita), and his unexpected guest, the easygoing but vague Gyoten Haruhiko (Matsuda Ryuhei), a former junior high school classmate who showed up one day and started to sponge on him. The two of them get on like oil and water, and yet are somehow inseparable. They receive queer, dubious incoming odd job requests which they accept, and what comes into view are the friendship between them as well as the backgrounds of their clients.
Website: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/mahoro

Kyokuhoku Rhapsody
Date: Saturdays, 19 & 20 March 2013
Station: NHK
Cast: Eita, Kato Ai, Tokui Yu, Lily, Miyake Hiroki, Yamaguchi Yuichi, Takahashi Masaya, Matsuzaka Keiko, Kobayashi Kaoru
Synopsis: Imanaka Yoshio (Eita), a young surgeon in his fifth year as a doctor, works at Kyokuhoku City Hospital in Hokkaido. As rumours circulate that it is on the verge of financial collapse and staff begin to resign one after another, the famous doctor Sera Masashi (Kobayashi Kaoru) takes up the post of the new hospital director to undertake its rebuilding and quickly announces a barrage of plans such as closing the inpatient ward and a bold restructuring. Caught between reality and his ideals as a doctor, Imanaka wavers even as he moves forward and matures through his struggles.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/kyokuhoku

Nakuna, Hara-chan
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 19 January 2013
Station: NTV
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Aso Kumiko, Maruyama Ryuhei, Kutsuna Shiori, Kaku Kento, Suda Masaki, Shimizu Yutaka, Inagawa Miyoko, Komatsu Kazushige, Komoto Masahiro, Mitsuishi Ken, Okunuki Kaoru, Shiraishi Kayoko, Yakushimaru Hiroko
Synopsis: Hara-chan (Nagase Tomoya) is drunk at a cheap pub and blabbering. It is a daily occurrence. He is always vexed, but has neither the wisdom nor the courage to break it up. This is Hara-chan, the main character of the manga ‘Nakuna, Hara-chan’ (Don’t Cry, Hara-chan). The illustrator of this manga is Echizen-san (Aso Kumiko), a plain-looking lady who works at a fish paste factory. In place of a diary, she draws this comic strip in a notebook with all the pent-up resentment within her. This is the only outlet for Echizen-san who seems to have lost her passion for life. Then one day, a miracle happens. Hara-chan comes to the sudden realisation that he is looking at the world for the first time. The sun’s warmth, the rustle of wind, the twinkle of the stars … … He has sprung out of the manga world and into the “real” world. In the “real” world, Hara-chan is in love with Echizen-san. Even if he is not a human in this “reality” … …
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/harachan

Neo Ultra Q
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 12 January 2013
Station: WOWOW
Cast: Tanabe Seiichi, Takanashi Rin, Onoue Hiroyuki
Synopsis: In a not too distant future that differs little from the present, a parallel world where the balance of nature is tipping, monstrosities attack the planet. Psychology counselor Haibara Jin (Tanabe Seiichi), travel culture magazine writer Watarase Emiko (Takanashi Rin) and the owner of the bar ‘Tobira’ Shiroyama Shohei (Onoue Hiroyuki) – three persons with completely different backgrounds and mindsets – are drawn to these baffling incidents. Helped by Haibara’s former teacher, Professor Yashima, the three of them engage with forces beyond human understanding: the “niruwanie” that is harmless to humans and walks on silently, the “burezaren” that runs a cleaning store because it is good at washing, the “valkanusu” that conducts business between earth and its own planet, the “farumagan” that is in love with a young girl … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/ultra/neoultraq

Made in Japan
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Saturdays, 26 January 2013
Station: NHK
Cast: Karasawa Toshiaki, Takahashi Katsumi, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Kunimura Jun, Hirata Mitsuru, Maiko, Saito Ayumu, Nakamura Yasuhi, Kanai Yuta, Otsuka Nene, Nikaido Fumi, Sakai Miki, Kimura Midoriko, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Kishibe Ittoku
Synopsis: A high yen, Euro economic trouble, and the rise of South Korea and China. As Japan’s manufacturing industry is thrown into turmoil, Takumi Electronics, a big home appliances manufacturer, is plunged into bankruptcy and has just three months left. Three men who are the heads of sales, finance and the factory, control the fate of the company. They are the sales department manager, Yahagi Atsushi (Karasawa Toshiaki), finance section manager Kakinuma Tsuneo (Yoshioka Hidetaka), and manager of the main factory Nishiyama Keigo (Kunimura Jun). Once a salesman who sold television sets all over the world, Yahagi becomes the leader at the command of the company’s president. He forms a seven-member “restructuring team” behind closed doors with Kakinuma as his right-hand man, and the members go about in search of ways to avoid bankruptcy. However, a Japanese technical expert stands in their way. He is Sakoda Takahiro (Takahashi Katsumi), once an ally of Yahagi. As the person responsible for Takumi Electronics’ money-losing development division, he was laid off by Yahagi in internal reforms during the financial crisis 8 years ago. And now, Sakoda is the head of the technology department at Laishe, China’s largest home appliances manufacturer. Using his own lithium battery technology as a weapon, he challenges the global market through this emerging Chinese company. That is also a declaration of hostilities against the man who once discarded him. In a cross-border fight over technology ownership, the two companies start to clash … …
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/drama/madeinjapan

Karamazov no Kyoudai
Date: From 11.10 p.m., Saturdays, 12 January 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Ichihara Hayato, Saito Takumi, Hayashi Kento, Takanashi Rin, Matsushita Kohei, Watanabe Kenkichi, Ando Sakura, Onodera Akira, Haga Yuria, Takito Kenichi, Yoshida Kotaro
Synopsis: Kurosawa Isao (Ichihara Hayato), Mitsuru (Saito Takumi) and Ryo (Hayashi Kento) are three brothers born to two different mothers and suspected of the ultimate crime of murdering their father Bunzo (Yoshida Kotaro). 29-year old Mitsuru was born to the first wife and is the eldest. Unemployed, he lives like a pimp as he plays around. He still feels ashamed of his father who was a negligent parent and cannot connect with him. Debt-ridden, he begs his father to leave assets to him while he is still alive and considers cutting ties with the family if he gets his way. Meanwhile, Mitsuru gets attracted to a bewitching woman called Yoshioka Kurumi (Haga Yuria) and falls in love with her even though he has a girlfriend, Endo Kanako (Takanashi Rin). He does not know that Kurumi has approached him at his father’s instigation … … Isao and Ryo were born to the second wife. Isao graduated from the faculty of law at a top university and now works at a law firm. On the other hand, he has an interest in writing novels and has published work with sensational content. He has secretly taken a fancy to Kanako who is his university classmate but his feelings go unrequited and he unconsciously endures the humiliation of this painful love. But when Isao realises these feelings, he feels an intense revulsion for Mitsuru and his own self. Anger towards Kanako, who knows his feelings and yet depends on him, also boils within him. Isao is conscious of an intense hatred for his father. An instinctive loathing. He finds that although he once ran away from his father and left for Tokyo, he has still not been able to break free from his influence. The youngest brother, Ryo, is a student at medical college. As a child, he was neglected by Bunzo, but is now the only one among the brothers who is favoured by him. Ryo makes an effort to try to love his father, but the more he sees Bunzo’s bad deeds with his own eyes, the more conflicted he gets. And then he starts to think of “what he has to do to carry out justice” … …
Website: www.fujitv.co.jp/brothers_karamazov

Nageki no Bijo
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 12 January 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Cast: Kurosawa Kazuko, Yada Akiko, Nakamura Shizuka, Wada Soko, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Yokoyama Megumi, Muroi Shigeru
Synopsis: Ikeda Yaiko (Kurosawa Kazuko), a self-professed ugly woman who feels inferior about her appearance and hates how her looks work against her, shuts herself away from the world. An internet troll, she spends her days repeatedly making inflamatory posts on the internet in a room surrounded by junk food. One day, she discovers ‘Sorrows of Beautiful Women’, a site for beautiful women to discuss their worries and she attempts to be abusive but through a strange turn of events finds herself up living under the same roof as these beauties (Yada Akiko, Nakamura Shizuka, Yokoyama Megumi).
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/bs/bijo

Last Dinner
Date: From 11.15 p.m., Saturdays, 9 March 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Cast: Tanaka Rena, Yamamoto Koji, Kimura Yoshino, Nagatsuka Kyozo, Kora Kengo, Watanabe Ikkei, Tomosaka Rie, Takuma Takayuki, Maeda Oshiro, Yagi Emiri, Hoshino Mari and Takahashi Issei, Kaka Chikako, Katase Rino, Dan Rei, Hashizume Isao, Hirahara Ayaka
Synopsis: At the strange restaurant L’Eterenite, which exists in a parallel world, couples, parents and children, adults and their childhood heroes, and friends who have been torn apart forever by fate are permitted to meet their beloved once more.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/bs/lastdinner

Shinryouchuu ~ In the Room
Date: From 12.50 a.m., Saturdays, 12 January 2013
Station: NTV
Cast: Inagaki Goro, Sakai Miki, Asano Yuko, Senga Kento, Takada Sho, Yamamoto Maika, Sato Ruiki, Ito Nana, Sanada Yuma, Nozawa Yuki, Tanaka Juri
Synopsis: Married psychologist Tenma Ryo (Inagaki Goro) works as a school counsellor at Ueyoshi Academy and solves the troubles of students and teachers that visit his counselling room, including Kitahara Ren (Senga Kento) and his pregnant girlfriend (Ito Nana), and Tanaka Shun (Takada Sho) who is troubled that he might be a homosexual. Tenma is considered an outstanding person by the people around him, but he has a deep darkness in his heart.
Website: www.ntv.co.jp/intheroom

Yae no Sakura
Date: From 8.00 p.m., Sundays, 6 January 2013
Station: NHK
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Hasegawa Hiroki, Goriki Ayame, Kuroki Meisa, Matsushige Yutaka, Fubuki Jun, Hasegawa Kyoko, Kudo Asuka, Ayano Go, Inamori Izumi, Tamayama Tetsuji, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Saito Takumi, Kitamura Yukiya, Nakamura Shido, Nishida Toshiyuki, Kanjiya Shihori, Ashina Sei, Ichikawa Mikako, Shirahane Yuri, Akiyoshi Kumiko, Koizumi Kotaro, Murakami Hiroaki, Furuya Kenji, Namase Katsuhisa, Ichikawa Somegoro, Kosakai Kazuki, Sorimachi Takashi, Kato Masaya, Kikkawa Koji, Odagiri Jo, Katsuji Ryo, Mizuhara Kiko, Tanimura Mitsuki, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Takashima Masahiro, Matsukata Hiroki, Oguri Shun, Okuda Eiji
Synopsis: Niijima Yae (Ayase Haruka), who grew up in the Aizu domain, was a spunky girl despite her mother’s wishes that she be feminine. Because of anecdotes of how she barricaded herself with 500 women in Tsuruga Castle while being beseiged during the Boshin War, and fought with guns, she was acclaimed as the “Joan of Arc of the late Edo period”. After the Meiji Restoration, she became the wife of Niijima Jo, who had returned from America. She soon joined the Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War together with her Aizu comrades as Japan’s first volunteer nurses, going from warrior woman to Japan’s Nightingale.
Website: www9.nhk.or.jp/yaenosakura

Dinner
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 13 January 2013
Station: Fuji TV
Cast: Eguchi Yosuke, Kurashina Kana, Matsushige Yutaka, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Seki Megumi, Shiga Kotaro, Shibamoto Yuki, Ikezu Shoko, Kazama Morio, Yashima Norito, Santamaria Yusuke, Ibu Masato (guest star), Shinohara Mai, Tamaki Hiroshi
Synopsis: Ezaki Motomu (Eguchi Yosuke) is a talented, topnotch chef but has personality issues. A culinary geek, he does not compromise when it comes to food. Because of that, the people around him are often inconvenienced. What is important to the chef in him is “ingredients x cooking method = taste”. No more and no less. He believes that intangible things like human relationships, love and tradition are completely unnecessary. Tatsumi Saori (Kurashina Kana) is the manager of Roccabianca, the famous Italian restaurant which is so popular that it has reservations up to three months in advance. It was opened by Saori’s father, Hideo (Kazama Morio), who is known in the country as a pioneer in Italian cuisine and has even received invitations to appear on the poular food programme, Iron Chef. Just as everything is presumed to be going fine, Hideo collapses and slips into unconsciousness. After a month, even the staff (Matsushige Yutaka, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Seki Megumi, Shiga Kotaro, Ikezu Shoko, Yashima Norito, Santamaria Yusuke) morale has dipped. As empty seats at the restaurant become conspicuous, Saori decides to invite Ezaki to be its new head chef.
Website: wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/dinner

Tonbi (2013)
Date: From 9.00 p.m., Sundays, 13 January 2013
Station: TBS
Cast: Uchino Masaaki, Sato Takeru, Fukiishi Kazue, Kato Takako, Tokiwa Takako, Nomura Hironobu, Aso Yumi, Emoto Akira, Fukuzaki Nayuta, Arakawa Shin, Igarashi Hinata, Okunuki Kaoru (guest star), Emoto Tasuku (guest star), Hasegawa Tomoharu (guest star), Tokunaga Eri (guest star)
Synopsis: Ichikawa Yasuo (Uchino Masaaki), who goes by the nickname Yasu, is a ‘dumb’ man unequalled anywhere in the world. He has not had schooling, is boorish and would immediately let his fists fly if he loses his cool. But Yasu is different from the ordinary fool in that he is a “doting parent”. He grew up without parents and does not knows what it is like to be close, but he and his wife (Tokiwa Takako) love each other and live happily as they watch their son Akira (Igarashi Hinata/Arakawa Shin/Fukuzaki Nayuta/Sato Takeru) grow up. However, when Akira is 3 years old, they are suddenly struck by tragedy. Yasu loses his wife in a freak accident. Although overcome with guilt and sorrow, Yasu puts it behind him and tries to raise his beloved son with the help of his friends … …
Website: www.tbs.co.jp/TONBI
Related: Tonbi (NHK)

Onna to Otoko no Nettai
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 20 January 2013
Network: WOWOW
Cast: Fujiwara Norika, Watabe Atsuro, Nagayama Kento, YOU, Yasuda Ken, Kariya Yuiko, Nikaido Satoshi, Abe Shinnosuke, Ichige Yoshie, Yamamoto Kei, Yoshida Eisaku
Synopsis: In the winter of 2005 in New York, a bomb goes off at a restaurant leaving many dead and wounded including several Japanese. In 2012 in Japan, TV reporter Miyabe Sonoko (Fujiwara Norika) was once a go-getter but has for some reason lost her passion for journalism. One day, she receives a tip from a former informant that a man named Shindo Satoshi (Watabe Atsuro), whose wife was killed in the United States, has come back to Japan with a plan for revenge killing. Sonoko is in high spirits for the first time in a long while. With the information, she tracks down Shindo’s house and starts a stakeout with her subordinate, Nomura (Nagayama Kento) … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/nettai

Lady Joker
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 3 March 2013
Station: WOWOW
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Shibata Kyohei, Toyohara Kosuke, Yamamoto Koji, Yada Akiko, Motokariya Yuika, Itao Itsuji, Tsuda Kanji, Mitsuishi Ken, Tezuka Satomi, Kaneko Nobuaki, Takahashi Tsutomu, Koichi Mantaro, Ishiguro Ken (guest star), Nakamura Katsuo, Watanabe Ikkei, Masuoka Toru, Izumiya Shigeru, Ishibashi Ryo
Synopsis: One day, Shiroyama Kyosuke (Shibata Kyohei), the company president of Hinode Beer, the industry’s top brewer, is kidnapped by a criminal group called Lady Joker. Detective Goda Yuichiro (Kamikawa Takaya) and his colleagues investigate but Shiroyama is soon released. The criminal group hints that it has tampered with 3.5 kilolitres of beer and demands 2 billion yen from Shiroyama. It is a plan that was set in motion by Monoi Seizo and others two years ago. Monoi (Izumiya Shigeru), the owner of a small pharmacy; Handa (Toyohara Kosuke), a detective; Nunokawa (Itao Itsuji), a truck driver with a special needs child; Yo-chan (Kaneko Nobuaki), a lathe operator; and Ko(Takahashi Tsutomu), a credit association employee are buddies who met at the horse race track. Then the combination of the death of Monoi’s elder brother and Yo-chan’s serious injuries darken their moods. Before long, Monoi who has thought of stealing large sums of money from a big corporation, sets his sights on a closely linked Hinode Beer … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/ladyjoker

Kamisama no Boat
Date: From 10.00 p.m., Sundays, 10 March 2013
Station: NHK BS Premium
Cast: Miyazawa Rie, Fujiki Naohito, Ishibashi Ryo, Morikawa Aoi, Kobayashi Rino, Nakahara Takeo, Oka Mitsuko, Maruyama Tomomi, Kyo Nobuo, Uchida Asahi, Yamazaki Naoko
Synopsis: While Nojima Yoko (Miyazawa Rie) married an older university professor (Ishibashi Ryo) against the wishes of her parents, she meets Sawaki Tetsuya (Fujiki Naohito), who runs a musical instrument store, and falls in love. However, Sawaki has a wife too. His jealous wife (Yamazaki Naoko) burns the store down and Sawaki gets saddled with an enormous debt. “I’ll look for Yoko-chan no matter where I am,” Sawaki tells her and disappears. After that, Yoko discovers that she is pregnant. Believing in Sawaki’s promise, she moves from place to place. She continues waiting for him with their daughter (Morikawa Aoi/Kobayashi Rino) for more than 10 years and gradually goes insane.
Website: www.nhk.or.jp/bs/p-drama

xxxHolic
Date: From 11.00 p.m., Sundays, 24 February 2013
Station: WOWOW
Cast: Anne, Sometani Shota, Higashide Masahiro, Miyazaki Karen, Takenaka Naoto, Adachi Yumi
Synopsis: High school student Watanuki Kimihiro (Sometani Shota) is a youth whose blood attracts spirits. He is bothered by this predisposition to see and be possessed by spirits. One day, Watanuki wanders into a strange residence called “Mise” that only people needing help can enter, and meets the fascinating female owner, Ichihara Yuko (Anne). Yuko is said to have the mysterious power to grant the wishes of visitors in exchange for a “consideration”. Inviting Watanuki to state his wish, she hires him to help at “Mise” as “consideration” for removing the spirits. While Watanuki works part-time, he comes across strange customers including troubled people and otherworldly beings and encounters bizarre events … …
Website: www.wowow.co.jp/drama/holic

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