“The Last Policeman,” premieres on Thursday, June 11, at 8 p.m.
The National Police Safety Rescue, or NPS, is the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s special assault team (SAT) that possesses both the mobility of the special unit as well as the investigative skills of the Special Investigations Team (SIT), and is tasked with bringing criminals into custody alive. This small elite team is a new approach to fighting against heinous crimes.
Kamikura Ichigo retired from the life of a professional boxer and became a police officer after that. In his second year working as a uniformed police officer, an incident leads to him being scouted by the NPS. Armed with excellent reflexes, explosive power and punches honed through boxing, Kamikura is a close combat specialist who is good at getting control over his opponents using bare fists. On the other hand, Soga Iori is a member of the SAT. Described as superhuman, he prides himself in his sharpshooting and is the SAT’s best sniper. Soga was once assigned to a police precinct because he had aspirations to become a detective. Before long, he arrested three robbers and attracted attention as one of the promising newcomers. He is cool and collected, has great concentration, endurance, perception as well as combat ability; the embodiment of the SAT’s ideal male.
“Mysteries of Asia,” premieres on Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m.
Asia is a mix of ancient cultures and fast-growing technology. This program explores cities across Asia, visiting famous landmarks and the hot new nightspots.
“Partners 11,” premieres on Thursday, June 18, at 9 p.m.
The 11th season of this popular detective series.
Detective, Ukyo Sugishita, has great insight and cunning skills. His partner, Takeru Kanbe, is cool and confident. Together they solve many mysterious crimes.
“Mr. Son-in-Law,” premieres on Friday, June 19, at 8 p.m.
Hiromasa Akiyoshi finds happiness in an ordinary life, but after the death of his father-in-law he is forced to run as mayor by his mother-in-law Otome. He does not welcome fights and finds happiness in an ordinary life- and initially refuses to enter the election. However, with the support of his wife Mari and other people around them, he eventually resigns himself to the decision to run.
“Legacy,” Sunday at 5 p.m.
The CEO of The Legacy Corporation dies leaving three daughters behind. They bicker and argue over their father’s wealth and leadership of the Legacy Corporation. With each daughter claiming to be the rightful heir, only one can be chosen; only one will be recognized as Legacy Corporation’s undisputed leader.
“The Vulture (NHK),” Sunday at 8 p.m.
The Vulture is a drama set in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the bubble economy collapsed. It depicts the ambitions, struggles, and hopes of those involved in corporate acquisitions.
Masahiko Washizu is a businessman who once worked for a Japanese bank. After working in New York as a fund manager, he returns to Tokyo from New York to buy out Japanese businesses, earning him the nickname “The Vulture.”
“Behind the Noren,” Sunday at 9 p.m.
This is a drama about the fiery relationship between the madam of an old-style Japanese inn and her new daughter-in-law, a former career woman.
Naoko, a career woman working in Tokyo, marries the eldest son of a family that owns a distinguished traditional inn in Kanazawa. Naoko’s new mother-in-law, Shino, views her as an outsider and refuses to accept her.
However, when Naoko’s husband Sosuke abruptly disappears one day, leaving behind a large debt, Naoko tells Shino about her plan to work at the inn to pay off Sosuke’s debts.
“Noren” is the short curtain often seen hanging at the entrance to a Japanese business. This is a family drama about the laughs, tears, and battles between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law that go on behind the curtain.
“Kuru Kuru Japan,” Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Delicious foods of Japan. Cultured salmon in
Tottori, bonito cuisine in Kagoshima and more!
“Soko ga Shiritai,” Monday through Friday at 7 p.m.
The wildly popular docu-tainment/info-logue that takes you all over Japan seeking out everything from customs, to food and all things interesting. Satisfy your need to know!
“Paper Moon,” Monday at 8 p.m.
A five-part drama about a woman who goes from being a trusted bank officer to a woman on the run. Rika Umezawa works at a bank, where she assists the bank’s customers with their transactions. She is especially sensitive to the needs of the bank’s elderly customers, and builds a strong level of trust with her clients. One of her customers is Kozo Hirabayashi, a wealthy property owner, who becomes infatuated with Rika.
After two years, Rika is now on the run, having left Japan with 100 million yen. Does Kozo Hirabayashi have anything to do with the money? Is Rika a thief or is she safeguarding the money for someone?
“Doctors (TV Asahi),” Monday at 9 p.m.
Kousuke Sagara is a highly skilled surgeon working at a corrupt hospital. There is a kind side to Kousuke that is evident in his dealings with his patients, but behind his skill and kindness lies a mysterious dark side.
“Hana Moyu,” Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Hana Moyu means “burning flower,” and refers to the life of the main character, Fumi Sugi.
Fumi was the younger sister of Shoin Yoshida, who was well-known for inspiring leaders in the Meiji restoration. They were part of the Choshu clan from Satsuma Prefecture, which is the birthplace of many of Japan’s political leaders. Fumi was a strong supporter of her brother and his philosophies, and much of the Choshu clan’s success can be attributed to the foundation laid by Shoin and Fumi.
Playing the heroine Fumi is Mao Inoue, one of Japan’s up and coming actresses. “Hana Moyu” is the 54th Taiga drama from NHK.
“The Interrogator,” (from TV Asahi) Thursday at 9 p.m.
Yukiko Makabe is the only female interrogator in a department full of men. Their job is to question suspects immediately after a crime, using interrogation skills and psycho-analysis to solve crimes.
As the only female in the department, Yukiko has a different perspective and style from her colleagues. This brings her success in her interrogations of suspects, but Yukiko continues to be troubled by an unsolved cold case from years ago.
“Fat Detective 2,” Friday at 8 p.m.
Season 2! Taro Hanazawa has been on the police force for 20 years, but while all of the other recruits in his class have been promoted, Taro still works at the neighborhood koban (community police station). It’s not because he’s a bad cop; on the contrary, Taro is an excellent police officer. But Taro weighs nearly 250 pounds, which makes it difficult for him to chase down criminals, and even harder for his superiors to take him seriously. That is . . . until Chief of Investigation First Division Reiko Nishikori observes Taro’s keen police skills in action and taps him to join her squad. Will Taro be able to keep up with the other detectives? Or will his investigative skills leave the other detectives chasing after him?
“Japan’s Local Secrets,” Friday at 9 p.m.; repeats on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Although Japan is a relatively small country geographically, each prefecture has its own traditions, dialects, and . . . foods!!! This program takes us to the secret places throughout Japan known to the people of the area and introduces us to things unique to each place.
