In the NHK Asadora drama "Omusubi " (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. and others) starring the actor Kanna Hashimoto , Anne Nakamura plays Reina Kamata, a surgeon at Osaka Shin-Yodogawa Memorial Hospital where Yui (Hashimoto) works. She talked about her thoughts on her first appearance in a Asadora and her impressions of the role she plays.
◇ Surprised at his first appearance in a Asadora : "I'm very happy"
Nakamura, whose first appearance in a Asadora is in " Omusubi ," recalled how she felt when she was chosen to appear, saying, "I was surprised. The story has entered a new part and is finally approaching the final chapter, so I'm very happy to be able to be part of it."
"This will be my first time appearing in a Asadora. It's a show that many people watch from 8am, and it's been on TV since I was little, so I naturally grew up watching it too. I'm taking on a new part, but the story of ' Omusubi' is heartwarming. It made me think again about how wonderful family is, and you naturally want to root for the heroine, Yui."
Nakamura plays Kamata, a surgeon who was recruited from a hospital in Tokyo by the chairman of the board of directors because of his skills. He is polite but self-centered. He leaves all post-operative nutritional support to the registered dietitian.
Nakamura said about Kamata, "I've played the role of an animal nurse at a veterinary hospital before, but this is my first time playing a surgeon. When I spoke to the doctors who directed and supervised me on set, they told me that in the medical field, several surgeries are performed a day. I am also trying to act as Kamata without being shaken by emotions, focusing only on making the surgery a success, and doing my job calmly, without showing too much emotion. I myself have a flat personality, so in that sense I am able to act without forcing myself too much."
"There aren't many technical scenes like surgery scenes this time, so I'm creating a character based on the personality of "doing his job without smiling much". Kamata seems to be very talented (laughs), and I think he's actually smart and can understand other people's feelings, but I'm trying to convey the impression that he's not very interested in people through his gaze and behavior. If I were a patient, I'd want a doctor like Kamata, who is a little cold but has a good skill, to treat me (laughs)."
◇ Being a registered dietitian is an "interesting job"
Nakamura said she didn't know much about the role of registered dietitians in the medical field.
"When I first met the director, I learned that dietitians manage the meals of hospitalized patients, providing them with nutrients that cannot be obtained through intravenous drips before surgery. Apparently, if the stomach and intestines are not healthy, it is not good for either before or after surgery. It may not be a job that is often seen in the public eye, but I learned that dietitians are the ones who support patients. It is an interesting job."
Regarding the relationship between Yui and Kamata, she explained, "There are all kinds of doctors, and Kamata is like, 'My role is to make the surgery successful, and it's your job to figure out the diet to build up the strength to do that, so you guys should think about that!' In a way, it's a rational way of thinking, and I can sympathize with that. I don't think he just leaves it to them, but rather trusts and respects the work of Yui and the others."
"The way she watches over her with love is mature, and I think Yui feels that she has to do her best. Kamata is strict with Yui, but I see her trying her best, so deep down I'm thinking, do your best!"
Finally, she addressed the viewers, saying, "This is my first time appearing in a Asadora, but I will not be too nervous. I will play the role with the hope that by valuing life through medical treatment and dietary therapy, people will become healthier and more energetic. There are always active doctors on the set who are happy to answer even the smallest questions, which is very reassuring. When I asked him how he feels when performing emergency surgery, he said, 'That's when my adrenaline is pumping the most' (laughs). I hope to keep that feeling in mind and carry it into my acting. Please keep a warm eye on Dr. Kamata."
