The NHK drama series titled “Makete, Katsu~Sengo wo Tsukutta Otoko • Yoshida Shigeru~ (Victory after Defeat ~ The man who created post-war Japan, Yoshida Shigeru~)” will see the fifty-two year old actor Watanabe Ken essay the role of former prime minister of Japan, Yoshida Shigeru. The series will hit the small screens on 8th September, gluing you to the telly every Saturday at 9 pm.
David Morse is playing the role of Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the occupation of Japan. David is known for his roles in movies like “Green Mile” and “The Indian Runner.” Shirasu Jiro, a close ally of former Prime Minister Yoshida and a negotiator for the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander (GHQ), is played by Tanihara Shosuke.
It is interesting to note that GHQ often labeled Shirasu Jiro as the “difficult Japanese”. Matsuyuki Yasuko is portraying Yoshida’s second wife who was a former geisha. Other cast includes Tanaka Kei – Yoshida’s eldest son, Yoshida Kenichi – an English literature scholar, Suzuki An – Aso Kazuko, the third daughter of Yoshida and mother of Aso Taro, former prime minister of Japan from 2008-2009. Kaneda Akio plays Hatoyama Ichiro, a former prime minister and grandfather of Hatoyama Yukio; he succeeded Aso as prime minister from 2009-2010. Nomura Mansai will essay as another former prime minister Konoe Fumimaro.
[Via TokyoHive]