Kensaku Morita:"People should bow to the governor's chair, not to you" - Chiba governor for 3 terms, 12 years, with his father's admonition in mind

Actor Kensaku Morita appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) broadcast on March 24th. He talked about the words his father, who was born in the Meiji era, used to admonish him, and his favorite line from the hit song "Saraba Namida to Iuou."

Morita served as the governor of Chiba Prefecture for three terms, a total of 12 years. His father once told him something that remained in his mind even after he became governor. It was, "Even a fool like you could be a great teacher. Now that you've been given a new role (as governor), you might come and bow to me. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not bowing to you. I'm bowing to the chair you're sitting in. If you get the wrong idea, you'll feel lonely afterwards."

His father was against him becoming an actor until the very end. Finally, he persuaded him, saying, "Dad, I'm retaking the entrance exams now, but I will definitely get into college. So please, I'm asking you." His father said, "You have to get into college. You never know when you're going to get fired from the entertainment industry," and gave his permission. He went to college for eight years before dropping out. When his father said to him, "You told me you were going to go to college," he explained, "But Dad, I said I was going to get in, but I didn't say I was going to graduate," and he recalled getting angry at him.

He proudly states that his starring role in the drama "Ore wa Otoko da" (1971-72) is "the pride of my life." The theme song "Saraba Namida to Iuou" (Saying Goodbye to Tears) was written by Yu Aku. He loved the line "Seishun no Kunsho wa Kujikenai Kokoro" (The medal of youth is a heart that will not be discouraged). Whenever he was feeling down or depressed, he would take a bath and sing this line, encouraging himself by saying, "Okay, let's do our best tomorrow too."