PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
“Okaeri Mone (Welcome Back, Mone),” premieres Monday, July 12, at 7:15 p.m.; re-airs Sunday and Tuesday-Friday at 8:20 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.
Momone, who grew up with nature on an island off Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, is inspired by an encounter with a popular weather forecaster to do this type of work herself. She begins her career in Tokyo away from family and friends, learning how deeply the weather affects people’s lives and trying to find ways to bring people happiness through her job.
“Fukuoka Foodie TV,” premieres Monday, July 18, at 8:35 p.m.; repeats Tuesday at 9:40 a.m.
Follow “39,” a popular Fukuoka emcee, as he drops in at the newest food venues in this region and introduces hot restaurants and cuisines, many of which are airing for the first time on TV.
“Rikokatsu (How to Get a Divorce for the Whole Family),” premieres Friday, July 30, at 7:35 p.m. Airs Friday-Saturday at 7:35 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; repeats Saturday at 8:40 a.m.
Newly weds Saki Mizuguchi and her husband Koichi Obara decide that marriage was a huge mistake: after meeting by chance, they had a whirlwind romance, but ultimately their different values and lifestyles have continuously clashed. Saki was a fashion editor raised in a modern, liberal home, whereas Koichi was an ace air-rescue for the Air Self-Defense Force from a conservative background. Despite their frequent bickering and desire to split, they are embarrassed to share this decision with family, friends and colleagues — so they choose to do it in secret! This highly entertaining drama takes a hard look at today’s societal values through the lens of divorce.
“Ichikei no Karasu (Ichikei’s Crow: The Criminal Court Judges),” Monday at 7:35 p.m. 10:30 p.m.; repeats Tuesday at 8:45 a.m.
Unorthodox criminal court judge Michio Iruma takes it upon himself to verify crime scenes so that the truth is uncovered and no false accusations survive under his watch. A former lawyer himself, the laid-back judge, who wears casual outfits and speaks slowly, can strike fear in the minds of lawyers and prosecutors due to his sharp observations and inquisitive mind.
“Saiko no Obahan Nakajima Haruko (The Greatest Haruko),” Wednesday and 7:35 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; re-airs Thursday at 8:45 a.m.
Powerful, beautiful, 60-year-old Haruko Nakajima, a top-class cosmetic doctor, fixes people’s problems in this thrilling show. Seen through the eyes of Izumi, an anxious, 38-year-old single publishing professional who is having a 10-year affair with a married man, Nakajima becomes her role model. The older woman, who goes through life crushing injustice, has worked in the highest echelons of the public and private sectors and tears through difficult situations with her sharp wit and merciless quips. She often says, “At the end of the day, you know who you can blame when your life falls apart? Yourself. Not that that’s any of my business!” Get ready to see this queen rend through life’s problems through a cathartic storm of intelligence and common sense.
“Ore no Ie no Hanashi (Story of My Family!!!),” Friday at 7:35 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; re-airs Saturday at 8:45 a.m.
Former pro-wrestler Juichi Miyama, his career sidelined by injury and age, was once groomed by father Jusaburo, a beloved Noh performer who was a “National Living Treasure,” to succeed him. But Juichi had rebelled, leaving home and cutting family ties. But now, this son returns home upon hearing that his dad had miraculously survived a critical illness and might wed his young caregiver. The stage is set for the wrestler and his family’s confrontation with the mysterious fiancé of his father.
NGN 3 MOVIE CHANNEL (Spectrum Digital Ch. 679/HD 1679)
Premiere titles air on Friday. “Movie of the Month” premieres on the first Saturday. Movies are shown at various times. Check your digital on–screen guide for movie schedules, using either the GUIDE or INFO buttons (up to one week ahead). Or call NGN, Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (808) 538–1966 for inquiries or to request an e–mail of NGN 3 programming information. All movies are in the Japanese language with full English subtitles.
MOVIE OF THE MONTH
“Suzuki-ke no Uso (Lying to Mom),” 2019 drama, 2 hours and 13 minutes.
Directed by Katsumi Nojiri. Starring Ittoku Kishibe and Hideko Hara.
Koichi of the Suzuki family, a stay-at-home shut-in, decides one day to take his own life in his room and dies suddenly.
His father Yukio, mother Yuko and daughter Fumi fall into confusion, with Yuko losing her memory and Fumi lying to her mother, saying, “Koichi has stopped being a shut-in and now works in Argentina.” But how long can father and daughter continue to deceive Yuko? And what lies behind Koichi’s suicide?
MOVIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
“Gokudo no Onnatachi Akai Kizuna (Yakuza Ladies Blood Ties),” 1995 drama,1 hour and 54 minutes.
Directed by Ikuo Sekimoto. Starring Shima Iwashita and Aki Yashiro.
This crime drama tells of the turbulent life of Kiwa, successor to the most prominent yakuza in Osaka’s Domoto Clan.
“Hana-chan no Misoshiru (Hana’s Miso Soup),” 2015 drama, 1 hour and 58 minutes.
Directed by Tomoaki Akune. Starring Ryoko Hirosue and Kenichi Takito.
Chie enjoys life with her boyfriend Shingo, but she is suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. Though Shingo proposes to her, Chie gives up hope of having a baby due to the drugs she takes for her treatment. Nevertheless, she gets pregnant and, risking her life, gives birth to healthy baby Hana. Can this family of three live happily ever after?
“Igano Kabamaru (Kabamaru the Ninja Boy),” 1983 action film, 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Directed by Noribumi Suzuki. Starring Hikaru Kurosaki and Hiroyuki Sanada.
Trained by his grandfather, Kabamaru is a young ninja. The grandfather who raised him dies unexpectedly, so Kabamaru starts living with that elder’s mistress, a school director. She requests his help in her struggles against other schools. As time passes, he will make friends as well as enemies, eventually falling in love with her granddaughter Mai.
“Ina no Kantaro* (Yakuza of Ina),” 1958 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Directed by Shigehiro Ozawa. Starring Chiyonosuke Azuma and Shinobu Chihara.
Kantaro risks his life saving his childhood friend from the evil boss, Jubei.
“Jeans Blues Asu Naki Buraiha (Ruffiances Without Tomorrow),” 1990 action-drama, 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Directed by Sadao Nakajima. Starring Meiko Kaji.
Will Hijiriko and Jiro manage to escape from the gangsters and the police in this fantastic action thriller?
“Koibitotachi (Three Stories of Love),” 2015 drama, 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Directed by Ryosuke Hashiguchi. Starring Atsushi Shinohara and Toko Narushima.
Three people suffer from love: Atsushi, a gifted bridge inspector, feels broken after his wife is murdered in a random attack; Toko, a housewife, gets trapped in a loveless union with an indifferent husband; Ryo, a successful gay lawyer, experiences unrequited love. Gradually these co-protagonists become aware of the preciousness of everyday life, facing threads of hope, love, rejection and abandonment.
“Kuchibue o Fuku Mushukumono (Whistling Drifter),” 1961 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Directed by Daisuke Yamazaki. Starring Kinya Kitaoji and Hiroki Matsukata.
Friendship arises between good samurai and Indigenous Ainu in Hokkaido.
“Kurutta Yaju (A Savage Beast Goes Mad),” 1976 action film, 1 hour and 18 minutes.
Directed by Sadao Nakajima. Starring Tsunehiko Watase and Maki Tachibana.
While attempting a getaway, ex-racecar driver turned jewel thief Hayami rides a bus that is hijacked by a pair of nasty but bumbling bank robbers. The bus driver then dies from a heart attack, causing Hayami to take the wheel.
“Mito Komon Sukesan Kakusan Oabare (Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku),” 1961 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sakuma. Starring Ryunosuke Tsukigata and Hiroki Matsukata.
Suke and Kaku undergo adventures as traveling companions and servants of famous lord Mito Komon.
“Ninkyo Kashi no Ishimatsu (Ishimatsu the Yakuza: Something’s Fishy),” 1967 drama, 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Directed by Noribumi Suzuki. Starring Saburo Kitajima and Hideo Murata.
Matsukichi, a worker at a fish market, tries to settle tense business affairs between the two competitors on his turf.
“Okinawa Yakuza Senso (Terror of Yakuza),” 1976 action film, 1 hour and 36 minutes.
Directed by Sadao Nakajima. Starring Hiroki Matsukata and Shinichi Chiba.
Set in 1971, the year before the reversion of Okinawa‘s governance from the U.S. back to Japan, two plots mingle: a conflict between local Okinawan and mainland Japanese yakuza gangs, and an internal struggle within the Okinawa gang itself. With a documentary touch, this film offers a fascinating glimpse of Japan’s gaze on the United States, formed through the filter of Okinawa.
“Ougon Kujakujo Dai-Sanbu (Golden Peacock Castle Part 3),” 1961 samurai-action film, 57 minutes.
Directed by Shoji Matsumura. Starring Totsuben Sawamura, Kotaro Satomi and Shingo Yamashiro.
Heroes Hiuchimaru and Sakon discover secret powers residing in the Peacock seal emblazoned on items they carry, while villainous Gondaiyu relentlessly pursues the hidden treasures locked away in the castle.
“Ougon Kujakujo Kanketsu-hen (Golden Peacock Castle: Final Episode),” 1953 samurai-action film, 55 minutes.
Directed by Shoji Matsumura. Starring Totsuben Sawamura, Kotaro Satomi and Shingo Yamashiro.
The struggle between the evil Gondaiyu and the remnants of Golden Peacock Castle comes to an end. Gondaiyu and Danjo plot to take over the Shogun’s army while trying to kill heroes Sakon and Hiuchimaru.
“Sake to Onna to Yari (Man’s Ambition),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Directed by Tomu Uchida. Starring Ryutaro Otomo and Chiezo Kataoka.
A retired master spearsman goes into the battlefield again.
“Seizoroi Kenka Wakashu,” 1955 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Sasaki. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura, Ryutaro Otomo and Chiyonosuke Azuma.
A group of five law enforcers search Edo for a missing sword.
“Sengo Saidai no Toba (The Biggest Gamble),” 1969 action film,
1 hour and 47 minutes.
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita. Starring Koji Tsuruta and Ken Takakura.
Gang underlings rebel against a despised new boss.
“Shimizu no Jirocho Ninkyo Nakasendo (Road of Chivalry),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Chiezo Kataoka, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Hashizo Okawa, Chiyonosuke Azuma and Kotaro Satomi.
Two yakuza heroes, Shimizu Jirocho and Kunisada Chuji, unite to save the poor.
“Sukeban Deka (High School Heroine),” 1987 drama, 2 hours and 33 minutes.
Directed by Hideo Tanaka. Starring Yoko Minamino.
High-school heroine Saki’s services are called upon to rescue students imprisoned on a remote island.
“Tokugawa Ieyasu (Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu),” 1965 jidaigeki, 2 hours and 23 minutes.
Directed by Hiroshi Okawa. Starring Kinya Kitaoji and Kinnosuke Nakamura.
Famous Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes friends with Nobunaga Oda and develops his military prowess.
“Toyama no Kinsan Hinotama Bugyo (Fireball Magistrate),” 1958 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Directed by Kinonosuke Fukada. Starring Chiezo Kataoka, Tsukigata Ryunosuke and Ebara Shinjiro.
Two guardians of the Nijo Castle, Shioya and Kamazawa, discover a map revealing a forbidden passage into Edo Castle. Instead of reporting this illegal secret to local authorities, they decide to blackmail the lords who created the passage. Magistrate Toyama Kinshiro launches a private undercover investigation.
“Tsuma yo Bara no You ni Kazoku wa Tsuraiyo III (What a Wonderful Family! 3: My Wife, My Life),” 2018 drama, 2 hours and 3 minutes.
Directed by Yoji Yamada. Starring Isao Hashizume and Kazuko Yoshiyuki.
Fumie lives with her two growing sons, her husband Konosuke and her in-laws. One afternoon, just as she nods off to sleep in between performing chores, a thief breaks in and steals the family money! Konosuke berates her, his insensitive negation of her daily struggles setting off an explosion of Fumie’s pent-up frustration. She walks out on the family, leaving them to fend for themselves — but can they run the household without her?
“Wakazakura Senryo Yari (Young Spears),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 51 minutes.
Directed by Toshikazu Kono. Starring Chiyonosuke Azuma and Satomi Oka.
This cinematic masterpiece depicts the tumultuous life of a spearsman who devotes his life to the martial arts.
“Yoja no Maden (Ninja’s Weapon),” 1956 ninja-action film, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Chiezo Kataoka, Ryunosuke Tsukigata and Yumiko Hasegawa.
During wartime, Lord Ogata is betrayed by two of his closest vassals and killed by his enemy, Sarashina Danjo. But his only living heir, who 10 years later has become a skilled ninja, sets out to avenge his parents’ death with sorcery.
