Production press conference of TV Tokyo Summer 2016 drama "Yassan ~ Tsukiji Hatsu! Oishii Jikenbo ~"

The production press conference of TV Tokyo Summer 2016 drama "Yassan ~ Tsukiji Hatsu! Oishii Jikenbo ~" was held at the outdoor rooftop of new Tsukiji facility Uogashi on 13 July which was attended by cast members Ihara Tsuyoshi, Emoto Tasuku, Itaya Yuka, Yamamoto Maika and Satomi Kotaro. The drama which begins its run from 22 July, features Ihara as the lead character Yassan who has no money and place to live but has a strong love for food and teams up with fellow homeless and unemployed Takao (Emoto) to solve cases in the Tsukiji market.

Ihara revealed that he had not been working for the last three months before filming started and went on a diet to reduce his weight from 84.5kg to 76kg. In order to build up his muscles, he will be drinking protein beverages from now on along with his daily exercises of running, weight training and push-ups. During the filming, Ihara does not need to wear make-up and is always dressed in a T-shirt so he's very happy about this since there is little preparation time needed before filming which is done mainly at Tsukiji Market which is due to move in November.

Satomi revealed that he had worked in Tsukiji about 60 years ago so if he had not become an actor, he would have inherited his relative's shop and be troubled over the move to Toyosu by now. As for Emoto, his younger brother Tokio is also starring in a TV Tokyo Summer 2016 drama "Otokomeshi" which is about food too and revealed that they are on good terms and meet up often. As both dramas are shown on the same day, Emoto called upon viewers to watch both dramas so as to support them.

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Yassan Tsukiji Hatsu Oishii Jikenbo" - Summer 2016

Title: Yassan Tsukiji Hatsu Oishii Jikenbo ヤッさん築地発! おいしい事件簿 (Yassan Delicious files from Tsukiji)
Official website: here
Official Facebook: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 22 July 2016
Timeslot: Fridays 8pm
Broadcast by: TV Tokyo
Original manga by: Hara Koichi
Cast: Ihara Tsuyoshi, Emoto Tasuku, Yamamoto Maika, Kamiji Yusuke, Itaya Yuka, Satomi Kotaro

Ihara Tsuyoshi to star in TV Tokyo Summer 2016 drama "Yassan ~ Tsukiji Hatsu! Oishii Jikenbo ~"

Ihara Tsuyoshi will be starring in the upcoming TV Tokyo Summer 2016 drama "Yassan ~ Tsukiji Hatsu! Oishii Jikenbo ~" (Yassan - the delicious case files from Tsukiji) which will be shown from July in the Fridays 8pm timeslot. This will be the last drama series to be shot on location at the 80-year-old Tsukiji Market before it moves to Toyosu in November and is Ihara's first primetime drama where he has a leading role.

Ihara plays the role of a mysterious man known as Yassan who has no money and a place to live in. However, he has a lot of knowledge about food and is discerning about food. Yassan's talents are deeply appreciated by many people at Tsukiji Market including the brokers and chefs at high-class restaurants in hotels and he ends up helping the people at the market solve various problems related to food with his buddy Takao who is also homeless like him. There will also be a "Madonna" appearing in each episode as Yassan's potential love interest.

Ihara commented that he found the drama's proposal very interesting and likens it to "Kodoku no Gurume" which also has a food theme and is very excited about being offered this role. As he owns a restaurant in real life and is good at cooking, he can identify with the storyline and its developments. In order to prepare for his role, Ihara started running and weight training to reduce his weight from 84.5kg to 76kg. He also tried to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor for three nights to experience what it felt like to be homeless.

Source: Sanspo / Yomiuri Hochi / Oricon