“Yasu” (NHK), airs on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 8 p.m.
This is a heartwarming story about the unbreakable bond between a father and son, regardless of what may come between them.
Yasu is a truckdriver in Hiroshima, living a happy life with his family in the 1960s. But his life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a freak accident caused by their young son.
Yasu dedicates his life to raising his son alone, always with the desire to protect his son from the truth behind his wife’s death.
“Big Family in a Small Village,” premieres on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8 p.m.
In a tiny little mountain village located in the Miyoshi district of Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku island lives a family of 14 people: mother, father, three sons, eight daughters and a grandmother. The scenery is beautiful: blue skies, green forests, and clear streams filled with fish. Nature provides fertile soil for growing vegetables, and there isn’t a more idyllic spot to live. See how the Big Family survives in their little village, growing their own food, living in their isolated little village, away from the hustle and bustle of modern Japan.
“Second Movement” (NHK), premieres on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 9 p.m.
“Second Movement” is a drama involving two women who are violinists in an orchestra. One of them, Natsumi, gets pregnant and gives up the violin, and marries a cellist in the orchestra.
The other woman, Mari, rises in popularity and soon becomes a solo violinist.
The two women meet again by chance 17 years later. As they reconnect and share what’s happened in their lives, both find themselves envying the other’s path in life.
“The Housekeeper 2,” airs on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 8 p.m.
Nobuko is a plain, unattractive woman with disheveled hair who is hired as a housekeeper, this time for the wealthy Uehara family, which manages a cosmetic surgery clinic. As usual, Nobuko’s beauty is disguised behind unattractive clothes and other features, making her almost invisible to the family around her, making it easier to learn all of their secrets.
“The Tempest” (NHK), premieres on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m.
“The Tempest” is a samurai drama set in the 19th Century during the reign of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Women were not allowed formal education, but Mazuru is a young woman with a desire to complete her studies despite gender restrictions.
When her step-brother goes missing, Mazuru disguises herself as a Eunuch in order to fulfil her dreams of education, and ends up passing the exam to become a royal government official.
In this drama, Yukie Nakama plays the roles of both the female and male characters.
“A Pierrot Praying for the Moon,” airs on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m.
Shizuru is a single woman living with her mother and grandmother in the countryside. She works at a medical clinic for a doctor who is a former classmate, but she herself has no social life.
One day, as she is buying books for the children who come to the clinic, she recalls a book she knew as a child. She goes onto the Internet to find the book, which is titled “A Pierrot Praying for the Moon.” Her search is successful, and after acquiring the book, she begins an online conversation with the man who sold her the book.
The conversation becomes more and more personal, and soon, Shizuru has someone and something to look forward to in her life.
“My Prince” (Yomiuri TV), premieres on Friday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m.
Takako Hara has a history of failed romances and is resigned to a life of loneliness. At only 32, she is convinced she will be alone the rest of the her life.
That is, until Koutarou Ozu comes to teach at her school.
Although Takako is seven years older than Koutaro, she finds herself falling for him. What happens when she learns he is already engaged to be married?
“Japan’s Local Secrets,” premieres on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 9 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.
“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.
“Love and Deceit,” Sunday at 8 p.m.
Rika Nishida has been having an affair with Sota Kashiwagi, a married man who is 20 years her senior and the managing director of a large corporation. However, after three years together, she realizes the affair is going nowhere and it is time to end it and move on.
Still, Rika is devastated when Sota abruptly dumps her. And her anguish intensifies when she learns that Sota’s wife, Mitsuko, was behind it. She vows to take revenge on Mitsuko for the pain caused her.
A drama about the imperfections of humans and the negative emotions that result from love and deceit.
“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!
“Investigator Mariko 11,” Monday at 8 p.m.
Crimes today utilize increasingly clever tricks and techniques. The police and crime laboratories must respond to these crimes quickly and with scientific knowledge. The lab must deal with such diverse tasks as analysis of hair, blood type, DNA, voice pattern and handwriting, as well as polygraphs, the reconstruction of facial features, and superimposing. The lab forms the main stage for this drama, which follows a female lab agent as she goes about her work. Mariko Sakaki, the main character, practices forensic medicine at the crime laboratory of the Kyoto Prefecture Police Department.
“Doctors 2 (TV Asahi),” Monday at 9 p.m.
Tamaki Dogami, the director of Dogami Hospital, announces her retirement and names her nephew, Dr. Suguru Moriyama, as her successor.
This upsets the doctors and nurses who distrust Suguru and his self-centered ways.
And it worsens the underlying conflict between Suguru and the kind-hearted Dr. Kosuke Sagara.
“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.
“Zenigata Heiki (Toei),” Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Like Abarenbo Shogun, Mito Komon, and Toyama no Kinsan, Zenigata Heiji is about an official working undercover to catch criminals.
Heiji is an undercover policeman in the city of Edo. He possesses a superior skill of throwing coins.
When a criminal is caught, Heiji throws coins at the offender and reveals his true identity.
“Partners 11,” Thursday 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.
