Mirai Yamamoto plays Sumiko, the mother of Yuriko (Tao Tsuchiya), in the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" (Sundays at 9pm), starring actor Ryunosuke Kamiki. In the drama "For N" (broadcast in 2014), produced by Junko Arai and directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, who also produced this drama, she played Sanae, the mother of Nozomi (Nana Eikura), who was born in Aokage Island, Kagawa Prefecture, and became mentally unstable. Her appearance in the drama created a buzz on social media, with some people saying, "I can see the mother in 'For N' in her eyes." We asked Yamamoto about her impressions of the role of Sumiko and stories about her and Tsuchiya.
◇I was so happy to be cast in a long-awaited drama written by Akiko Nogi that I was "jumping for joy!"
The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set in Hashima (Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the high economic growth period after the war, and in modern-day Tokyo. The script is by Akiko Nogi, the director is Tsukahara, and the producer is Arai, the team behind the TV dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same series) and the movie "The Last Mile".
When Yamamoto was chosen to appear in this film, she said, "I was literally jumping for joy! I had always hoped to appear in a work written by Akiko Nogi, so I was extremely happy."
"Nogi's script is wonderful, and it vividly depicts the grand and lively life of Hashima. I felt the joy of being able to be Sumiko in such postwar Hashima. And above all, it is a treasure for me to be able to work again with Director Tsukahara and Producer Arai, who helped me with "For N" and "Ishiko and Hane-O: Will You Sue Me About That?" (2022)," she said with a smile.
Yamamoto plays Sumiko, who loses her mental and physical balance due to a certain incident, creating a gap between her and Yuriko. "Director Tsukahara and Producer Arai both lead me to a new stage every time. This time too, it was a difficult role with some very delicate scenes, but thanks to the uncompromising scene creation by the staff working under Director Tsukahara, I was able to really feel like I had 'lived the role of Sumiko,'" she reflected.
This was her first time acting alongside Tsuchiya, who played the daughter. "While we were on standby, she asked me, 'Will I be able to have depth when I grow up?' and I was happy to hear her say, 'You're asking me?' I was impressed by how liberated she was in her performance, perhaps because she now has someone (a child) who is more important to her than herself and who she needs to protect. I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you all about it (laughs)."
Finally, she addressed the viewers, saying, "What was the incident that caused Sumiko to lose her balance? We put all our effort into these four episodes. I hope that it will reach everyone."
