Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, many TV stations have halted filming which in turn makes it impossible for most of their Spring 2020 dramas to begin their runs on time. Of those which managed to start on schedule, they were most likely filmed in advance to accommodate the schedules of the cast such as "Bishoku Tantei" starring Nakamura Tomoya who has to prepare for his upcoming play in June and July. "SUITS 2" managed to air 2 episodes but had to suspend its run since filming could not continue. Even within the same TV station, there seems to be differences in the filming schedules since TV Asahi could let "M Ai subeki hito ga ite" and "Kaseifu no Mitazono 4" start on time but "BG 2" has been postponed until further notice. TBS is probably the most worst-off among the TV stations since their 3 offerings this spring, particularly the heavily banked-on "Hanzawa Naoki 2" can't even start on time.
As a result of the "freed-up" slots meant for the Spring 2020 dramas, the TV stations are resorting to doing reruns of past dramas, some new ones along with some old classics to fill in the gaps. However, as this
article from Shukan Josei Prime points out, there are some dramas which are most likely never going to get a rerun due to various reasons. I won't be translating the entire article but will just highlight the dramas mentioned and the likely reasons why they can't be shown on TV again:
- Ienakiko 1 & 2 starring Adachi Yumi (1994 and 1995)
The drama which made Adachi become a household name as a child actor. Although these dramas are available on streaming portals, they are unlikely to be shown on TV due to the extreme bullying inflicted particularly on the lead character Suzu which goes against compliance guidelines for broadcasters.
- Ningen Shikaku ~ Tatoeba boku ga shindara (1994)
Starring Akai Hidekazu and features Domoto Tsuyoshi's character dying due to bullying.
In fact, both dramas were written by Nojima Shinji who was well-known for his works in the 90s featuring controversial and taboo topics like bullying, homosexuality and social problems. As such, his dramas face a hurdle higher than the others if they are to make it back on TV.
- Gift (1997)
Starring Kimura Takuya. There was a stabbing case in real life where the culprit claimed that he was inspired to commit the crime after seeing the butterfly knife featured in the drama.
- Ginro Kaiki File (1996)
Starring Domoto Koichi. Features a beheading scene.
- Food Fight (2000)
Starring Kusanagi Tsuyoshi. As there was an incident of a child dying of suffocation due to gorging on food, this drama never got a rerun on TV again.
- Yamato Nadeshiko (2000) starring Matsushima Nanako & Love Revolution (2001) starring Esumi Makiko
Both dramas feature former actor Oshio Manabu who was convicted for using drugs and abandonment by a person responsible for protection (he had sex with a hostess after having drugs together and he left her alone in the room after she passed away due to the drug consumption. This led to him being sentenced to prison for 2 years and 6 months and his divorce with Yada Akiko.
For the same reason, works featuring other actors/actresses who had gotten into trouble with the law are unlikely to be rerun for now but some have made it to the BS channels or Internet streaming portals.
- Bloody Monday (2008/2010)
Starring Miura Haruma. The story features a pandemic so it cannot be shown now as it will lead people to associate that with the current COVID-19 situation.
