Kazuki Kitamura to play father of Asadora protagonist again

The new cast for the NHK Asadora drama "Kaze,Kaoru ," starring Ai Mikami and Juri Kosaka , which will air in the first half of 2026, has been announced on the official NHK drama website (＠nhk_dramas), and it has been revealed that Kazuki Kitamura will appear in the drama. He will play Shin'emon Ichinose, the father of one of the main characters, Rin Ichinose (played by Mikami).

Shin'emon Ichinose was a former chief retainer of a small domain in the Nasu region. Before the Meiji Restoration, he left his position as chief retainer to become a farmer, and has continued to decline offers to become a government official. He has a gentle personality and has taught Rin and Yasu how to think for themselves.

Kitamura commented, "Every day I feel that the existence of parents, their values and way of thinking, have a greater impact on their children's lives than I could have imagined. I hope to be able to convey something beyond the dialogue, so that this wonderful girl, Rin, can survive the turbulent times of the Meiji era with strength. I will approach this work with sincerity so that it will reach deep into everyone's hearts."

This will also be his second time playing the father of the protagonist in a Asadora, following "Scarlet" (2018 fall season).

"In Scarlet, I played the role of a rather unconventional father, but this time I would like to take on the role of a strong-willed father, which could be considered the polar opposite. Asadora are not only a reminder of the everyday life and warmth of Japan, but also to many Japanese people living overseas, and I believe they are truly worthy of being called 'the face of Japan's mornings,'" he said.

"Kaze,Kaoru" is the 114th serial TV drama. Set in the Meiji era, it is a buddy drama featuring two trained nurses, Ozeki Chika and Suzuki Masa, as its two protagonists. The two graduated from the same nursing school, they struggle with how to interact with patients and doctors, and grow together through clashes, eventually becoming the "strongest buddy." Uesaka plays the other protagonist, Oya Naomi.