Top 10 favourite heroines from NHK morning dramas (Oricon)

Oricon conducted a survey on 1,000 men and women in their teens to 50s where they chose their No.1 favourite heroine from NHK's morning dramas. The figures in brackets represent the percentage of votes received by the actresses:

1) Nounen Rena / Non  - Ama-chan (20.9%)

2) Haru - Asa ga kita (11.2%)

3) Arimura Kasumi - Hiyokko (10.2%)

4) Kuninaka Ryoko - Chura-san (6.8%)

5) An - Gochisousan (6.1%)

6) Horikita Maki - Ume-chan Sensei (5.2%)

7) Tsuchiya Tao - Mare (3.6%)

8) Takahata Mitsuki - Toto Nee-chan (3.2%)

9) Yoshitaka Yuriko - Hanako to Anne (3.1%)

10) Yoshine Kyoko - Beppin-san (2.4%)

Source: Oricon

Takahata Atsuko's son Takahata Yuta arrested for rape and assault

Takahata Atsuko's son Takahata Yuta was arrested at 1.40pm on 23 August by Maebashi Police Station on suspicion of rape and assault. Takahata Yuta was staying at a business hotel in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, in the early hours of 23 August when he called the hotel's staff to bring him amenities such as a toothbrush. When a female staff in her 40s brought the item to his room, Takahata allegedly grabbed her into his room and raped her. During the sexual assault, Takahata was said to have used force against the victim and caused her to sustain injuries such as bruises to her body and right thumb. According to Maebashi Police Station, Takahata was brought in for questioning on a voluntary basis and testified that he could not control his sexual urge upon seeing the female hotel staff but stressed that it was not a premeditated attack. Takahata was in Maebashi for the filming of a movie and said to have been drinking with the staff on the night before the incident.

Takahata Yuta began to enjoy attention as an actor when he appeared in last year's NHK morning drama "Mare" and is due to appear in NTV's 24 Jikan Terebi 39 this weekend as the programme's personalities along with comedy duo Oriental Radio. He also has a role in the drama SP "Moumoku no Yoshinori-sensei ~ Hikari wo ushinatte kokoro ga miete" where he plays a support at the rehabilitation centre which Yoshinori-sensei (Kato Shigeaki) goes to after losing his sight but his name and photo have been removed from the cast chart on the drama SP's official website. In response to news about Takahata's arrest, NTV announced that they will be looking into the possibility of getting another actor to re-film Takahata's part in the drama SP. Takahata was also scheduled to appear in the late night programme "Konya kurabete mimashita" on 23 August but the content of the show will be changed. In addition, Takahata who is supposed to appear in NHK's ongoing Taiga "Sanadamaru" from October onwards, will be replaced. FujiTV's mini drama "Tonari no Shinsengumi" will make adjustments to its next episode to be shown on 25 August. TV Tokyo is currently in discussions on how to handle Takahata's parts in their Summer 2016 drama "Otokomeshi". TBS has removed Takahata's name from the official website of their Summer 2016 drama "Aogeba Totoshi" but won't need to make adjustments to the drama since his appearance was limited to the first three episodes only.

Following news of Takahata's arrest, his Twitter has been switched to private mode and his blog has been deleted. At present, only his Instagram account (up to 4.23pm Japan time) can still be accessed. In the comments section of his Instagram account, many users left comments criticising his actions and scolded him for causing grief and a great inconvenience to his mother.

Takahata's agency released a statement in the same evening about his arrest and acknowledged that they were informed about what happened. The agency expressed deep regret and apologised to the victim and everyone who was inconvenienced and worried by what happened. At the moment, as he is still in police custody, the agency has been unable to contact him so they will try to find out more about the situation and will deal with this issue with utmost sincerity.

In Japan, rape is punishable with a prison sentence of between three years and below 20 years. If the charge is rape leading to assault or death, the prison sentence can range from more than 5 years to life imprisonment. When a prison sentence is longer than 3 years, there will be no suspended sentence. Assuming that the case goes to court, it will be decided by a jury. For a rape case, the indictment is dependent on the victim filing a complaint but for a rape leading to assault or death case, the investigation and trial continues even if the victim decides to drop the case.

Due to intense media attention and public concern over Takahata's case, his name was the No.1 trend topic on Twitter and keywords related to his case hogged the real-time search ranking on Yahoo! JAPAN.

As a result of her son's arrest, Takahata Atsuko has resigned from her hosting job for NHK's afternoon programme "Studio Park kara Konnichiwa" on 23 August where Sakakibara Ikue will take over the position. NHK accepted her resignation but did not go into details on what reason Takahata Atsuko had given. There is also concern over whether her career will be affected as she is seen in many dramas such as "Sanadamaru", variety shows, CMs and will take on a leading role in the stage play "Yukimaroge" to be performed between September and October

Sources: Nikkansports 1 / Nikkansports  2 / Sanspo 1 / Sanspo 2 / Yomiuri Hochi 1 / Yomiuri Hochi 2 / Sponichi 1 / Sponichi 2 / Sponichi 3

Yahoo! Japan Search Awards 2015

Yahoo! Japan released the results of its annual Search Awards on 9 December 2015 for the people and items which have seen a remarkable increase in search queries on its portal compared to the previous year. There are a total of 20 awards from three categories i.e. person, culture and product and the qualifying period was from 1 January 2015 to 1 November 2015.

Grand Award: Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE

Person Category
Actor: Kubota Masataka
Actress: Hirose Suzu
Comedian: 8.6 byo Bazooka
Athlete: Goromaru Ayumu
Model: Fujita Nicole
Musician" Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE
Idol: Hey! Say! JUMP
Voice Actor: Kaneda Tomoko
Writer: Matayoshi Naoki

Culture Category
Anime: Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
Movie: Jurassic World
Game: Monster Strike
Novel: Hibana by Matayoshi Naoki
Drama: Mare (NHK morning drama)

Product Category
Drink: Sogen Bicha
Food ordered online: Freshly made potato chips from Kikusui-do
Electrical appliance: Dyson vacuum cleaner
Car: Honda S660
Cosmetics: Yves Saint Laurent lipstick
Dessert: Seven Cafe's doughnuts

Source: Yahoo! Japan

Top 30 highest-rated dramas based on single-episode ratings in 2015

Note that this ranking includes full drama series and once-off drama SPs shown between 29 December 2014 and 27 December 2015. The figures in brackets indicate the ratings for that particular episode or once-off SP broadcast:

1) Asa ga Kita - NHK - 4 December 2015 (27.2%)
2) Massan - NHK - 30 March 2015 (25.0%)
3) Mare - NHK - 7 April 2015 (22.7%)
4) Shitamachi Rocket (last episode) - TBS - 20 December 2015 (22.3%)
5) Aibou season 13 (last episode) - TV Asahi - 18 March 2015 (20.3%)
6) 24 Jikan Terebi SP Okasan Ore wa Daijoubu - NTV - 22 August 2015 (20.2%)
7) I'm Home (last episode) - TV Asahi - 18 June 2015 (19.0%)
8) Aibou season 14 (first episode) - TV Asahi - 14 October 2015 (18.4%)
9) Tenno no Ryoriban (last episode) - TBS - 12 July 2015 (17.7%)
10) DOCTORS 3 (Ep 5) - TV Asahi - 5 February 2015 / Death Note (first episode) - NTV - 5 July 2015 (16.9%)

12) Hana Moyu (first episode) - NHK - 4 January 2015 (16.7%)
13) Oriental Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken Part 1 - FujiTV - 11 January 2015 (16.1%)
14) Oriental Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken Part 2 - FujiTV - 12 January 2015 (15.9%)
15) Hanasaki Mai ga damattenai (Ep 7) - NTV - 19 August 2015 (15.6%)
16) Zeni no Sensou (last episode) - FujiTV - 17 March 2015 (15.4%)
17) Marumaru Tsuma (Ep 2 & Ep 4) - NTV - 21 January 2015 (15.2%)
18) Youkoso, Wagaya e (last episode) - FujiTV - 15 June 2015 (15.0%)
19) Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~ (first episode) - FujiTV - 19 January 2015 / Specialist 3 - TV Asahi - 28 February 2015 (14.8%)

21) Gisou no Fuufu (first episode) - NTV - 7 October 2015 (14.7%)
22) Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu - TV Asahi - 27 September 2015 (14.6%)
23) Isan Sozoku - TV Asahi - 22 October 2015 (14.2%)
24) Keishicho Sousa Ikka 5 Hira kara nariagatta Saikyo no Keiji! - TV Asahi - 17 October 2015 (14.1%)
25) Dr.Rintaro (first episode) - NTV - 15 April 2015 / Keishicho Sousa Ikka 9 Kakari season 10 (episode 3) - TV Asahi - 6 May 2015 (13.9%)
27) Shin Naniwa Kinyuudo - FujiTV - 24 January 2015 (13.8%)
28) Houigaku Kyoshitsu no Jiken File 40-kai Kinen - TV Asahi - 14 February 2015 / Morimura Seiichi Sakka 50nen Kinen Shuchakueki Series Zeni no Kasa - TV Asahi - 26 September 2015 (13.6%)
30) Kasoken no Onna (first episode) - TV Asahi - 15 October 2015 / Shikaku Tantei Higure Tabibito - NTV - 20 November 2015 (13.5%)

Source: Sponichi

The 86th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2015) - Best Drama Theme Song

Overall Ranking Top 3

1) Kimi ga kureta natsu - Ieiri Leo (Koinaka)

2) Stress Free - miwa (Tamiou)

3) Do Konjo Gaeru - Cast of Do Konjo Gaeru (Do Konjo Gaeru)

Voters Ranking Top 5

1) Stress Free - miwa (Tamiou)

2) Marezora (Mare)

3) Kimi ga kureta natsu - Ieiri Leo (Koinaka)

4) Step by step - Hamasaki Ayumi (Bijo to Danshi)

5) Do Konjo Gaeru - Cast of Do Konjo Gaeru (Do Konjo Gaeru)

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5

1) Kimi ga kureta natsu - Ieiri Leo (Koinaka)

2) Stress Free - miwa (Tamiou)

3) Taiyo Knock - Nogizaka 46 (Dorama 24 Hatsumori Bemars)

4) Marezora (Mare)

5) Okaeri - Takahashi Yu (Ashita mo kitto oishii gohan ~ Gin no Spoon ~)

Judges Ranking Top 5

1) Do Konjo Gaeru - Cast of Do Konjo Gaeru (Do Konjo Gaeru)

2) Kimi ga kureta natsu - Ieiri Leo (Koinaka)

3) Marezora (Mare)

4) Sukida - Little Glee Monster (Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu)

5) Gorilla Pan no Uta - Gorilla Imo (Do Konjo Gaeru)

Source: The Television

The 86th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2015) - Best Supporting Actress

Overall Ranking Top 3

1) Mitsushima Hikari - Do Konjo Gaeru

2) Honda Tsubasa - Koinaka

3) Aso Kumiko - Napoleon no Mura

Voters Ranking Top 5

1) Mitsushima Hikari - Do Konjo Gaeru

2) Maeda Atsuko - Do Konjo Gaeru

3) Jiyoung - Tamiou

4) Toda Erika - Risk no Kamisama

5) Ohara Sakurako - Koinaka

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5

1) Mitsushima Hikari - Do Konjo Gaeru

2) Inamori Izumi - Age Harassment

3) Tanaka Yuko - Mare

4) Tokiwa Takako - Mare / Aso Yumi - Age Harassment

Judges Ranking Top 5

1) Honda Tsubasa - Koinaka

2) Mitsushima Hikari - Do Konjo Gaeru

3) Aso Kumiko - Napoleon no Mura

4) Tanaka Yuko - Mare

5) Tokiwa Takako - Mare / Jiyoung - Tamiou / Toda Erika - Risk no Kamisama

Source: The Television

The 86th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2015) - Best Supporting Actor

Overall Ranking Top 3

1) Takahashi Issei - Tamiou

2) Oizumi Yo - Mare

3) Kohinata Fumio - Mare

Voters Ranking Top 5

1) Takahashi Issei - Tamiou

2) Hongo Kanata - Chanpon tabeta ka

3) Machida Keita - Bijo to Danshi

4) Yamazaki Kento - Death Note

5) Matsushige Yutaka - Death Note

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5

1) Takahashi Issei - Tamiou

2) Oizumi Yo - Mare

3) Yamazaki Kento - Mare

4) Arai Hirofumi - Do Konjo Gaeru

5) Shirota Yu - Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu

Judges Ranking Top 5

1) Takahashi Issei - Tamiou

2) Kohinata Fumio - Mare

3) Oizumi Yo - Mare / Kamikawa Takaya - Hanasaki Mai ga damattenai

5) Arai Hirofumi - Do Konjo Gaeru

Source: The Television

The 86th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2015) - Best Leading Actress

Overall Ranking Top 3

1) Yoshine Kyoko - Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu

2) Tsuchiya Tao - Mare

3) Kitagawa Keiko - Tantei no Tantei

Voters Ranking Top 5

1) Nakama Yukie - Bijo to Danshi

2) Kitagawa Keiko - Tantei no Tantei

3) An - Hanasaki Mai ga damattenai

4) Yoshine Kyoko - Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu

5) Tsuchiya Tao - Mare

TV Reporters Ranking Top 5

1) Yoshine Kyoko - Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu

2) Tsuchiya Tao - Mare

3) Takei Emi - Age Harassment

4) An - Hanasaki Mai ga damattenai

5) Kitagawa Keiko - Tantei no Tantei

Judges Ranking Top 5

1) Yoshine Kyoko - Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu

2) Kitagawa Keiko - Tantei no Tantei

3) Takei Emi - Age Harassment

4) Tsuchiya Tao - Mare / An - Hanasaki Mai ga damattenai

Source: The Television

The 86th Drama Academy Awards (Summer 2015) - Best Drama

Overall Ranking Top 3
1) Tamiou (TV Asahi)
2) Do Konjo Gaeru (NTV)
3) Mare (NHK)

Voters Ranking Top 5
1) Tamiou
2) Death Note
3) Chanpon tabeta ka
4) Do Konjo Gaeru
5) Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu



TV Reporters Ranking Top 5
1) Tamiou
2) Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu
3) Mare
4) Age Harassment
5) Do Konjo Gaeru

Judges Ranking Top 5
1) Tamiou
2) Mare
3) Do Konjo Gaeru
4) Age Harassment
5) Omotesando Koukou Gasshobu / Bijo to Danshi / Tonari no Seki-kun to Rumi-chan no Jijou

Source: The Television

Filming starts for NHK morning drama "Mare"

The filming for new NHK morning drama "Mare" which is due to be shown from 30 March 2015, started at Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture on 7 October and the main cast members including Tsuchiya Tao, Oizumi Yo, Tokiwa Takako, Tanaka Yuko and Tanaka Min gathered to meet the press on 9 October. The drama which features Tsuchiya as the heroine named Mare, is about her journey to becoming a world-class patissier. Tsuchiya commented that they were blessed to have good weather so far and said that the Noto area is such a beautiful place and wishes to convey that nationwide through this drama. Oizumi who plays Mare's father, joked that he's well-known in the industry for "bringing bad weather" but has faith that they can proceed with the filming smoothly because of Tsuchiya's cheerfulness like the sun. Tokiwa plays Mare's mother in this drama.

Source: Sanspo

Production press conference of NHK morning drama "Mare"

The production press conference of NHK morning drama "Mare" was held on 8 Sep which was attended by the cast members Tsuchiya Tao, Oizumi Yo, Tokiwa Takako Tanaka Yuko, Hayama Shono, Tanaka Min, Kadowaki Mugi, Yamazaki Kento, Nakamura Atsuo, Suzuki Sawa, Sasai Eisuke and Shimizu Fumika. Nakagawa Shoko and Tsukaji Muga were absent from the press conference. Of the 18 cast members announced during the press conference, 11 are making their first appearances in a morning drama as they were picked from auditions.

The drama which will begin its run from 30 March, features Tsuchiya as a 19-year-old girl named Mare who comes from a fishing village in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture and aspires to be a patissier. As part of the preparations for this role, Tsuchiya cut her long hair by 40cm and commented that this is the shortest hairstyle she has sported since making her debut in showbiz at the age of 12 years old. Oizumi plays Mare's father while Tokiwa plays her mother in their first appearances in a morning drama.

As a result of her father's constant pursuits of his dreams, Tsumura Mare had to flee to a fishing village in Noto, Ishikawa with her family to hide from creditors. She firmly believes in her motto of hard work, step by step, and becomes a civil servant at the city office after graduating from senior high school. However, she later realises that she wants to become a patissier and heads to Yokohama to be a disciple in a famous confectionery shop in order to achieve her goal of opening her own shop back in Noto.

Source: Sanspo

Tsuchiya Tao to be the heroine in NHK's Spring 2015 morning drama "Mare"

Tsuchiya Tao will be the heroine in NHK's Spring 2015 morning drama "Mare" as announced during the press conference on 31 July at NHK's Shibuya's headquarters. Tsuchiya is currently acting as Momo, the younger sister of Yoshitaka Yuriko in the ongoing morning drama "Hanako to Anne" and had appeared in the 2011 morning drama "Ohisama" as a student before landing her first leading role in a morning drama. Tsuchiya commented that she was so shocked when she was told that she got the role and was very touched to be able to see so many journalists at the press conference.

"Mare" is set in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture and features Tsuchiya as Tsumura Mare, a young girl living in this region who heads to Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, to learn to become a patissier and return home one day to open a shop with her family. Tsuchiya was picked from 2,020 applicants to play the heroine and was only told the news on 30 July when she was invited to the TV station under the pretext of a final interview. She will be undergoing training under famous patissier Tsujiguchi Hironobu as part of the training.

Source: Sponichi