In the NHK Asadora drama "Omusubi " (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. and others) starring actress Kanna Hashimoto Inukai plays Satoshi Sugisawa, a speech-language-hearing therapist at Osaka Shin-Yodogawa Memorial Hospital where Yui (Hashimoto) works. He talked about his thoughts on appearing in a Asadora for the first time in about five years and how he prepared for the role.
◇ "I feel like I'm back" after appearing in a Asadora for the first time since "Natsuzora"
Looking back on when she was chosen to appear in "Omusubi," Inukai revealed, "As a viewer of ' Omusubi,' I always enjoyed watching it and thought it was unusual how it put gals at the forefront. I never thought I'd be involved in such a popular Asadora, so I was honestly happy when I was asked to appear."
"It's been about five years since Asadora, 'Natsuzora,' so I'm happy to be back. I was really looking forward to filming in Osaka this time. The warmth of the filming locations is the same in Tokyo and Osaka, but Osaka is much more lively in terms of sound. I was surprised to see so much talking (laughs). I'm from Shikoku, so I was able to relax and enter the filming location. Also, maybe because I'm in this film, I've started eating a lot of Omusubi(laughs). I'm enjoying the difference in taste between convenience store Omusubi in Kansai and Kanto, and Omusubi have become a part of my daily life, both at work and in my private life."
Sugisawa, played by Inukai, is a speech-language-hearing therapist in charge of rehabilitation related to "speaking," "listening," and "eating," and is a member of the NST (nutritional support team). He teams up with Yui to treat patients with "swallowing disorders" that make it difficult to swallow food and drink.
Inukai said, "This was the first time I'd heard of the profession of speech-language-hearing pathologist, and when I looked into it I found out that it's a job that focuses on swallowing and language. I have an image of people who work in hospitals being smiling, cheerful and kind, so as Sugisawa I try to be conscious of speaking and using expressions that will help ease patients' anxiety even if just a little."
Regarding his role, he said, "I received notes from the producer about Sugisawa's private life, which included detailed background information that didn't appear in the main story, such as 'He likes rock music, as his clothes suggest,' 'He makes his own coffee and drinks it,' and 'Why he became a speech-language-pathologist,' so it was a great help in terms of preparing for the role. I myself was in a band when I was a student, but this is my first time playing a role that likes rock music, so I feel a sense of affinity with Sugisawa and can easily relate to him."
"I thought she would cut her hair short because she works at a hospital, but when the director visited the hospital, he saw some speech-language-hearing therapists with long hair, so he decided to keep it that way. I hope viewers will notice this modern touch. Sugisawa always wears the hair tie he uses to tie his hair on his left wrist. There are probably times when he ties his hair up, so there is a lot of room for imagination, and I hope viewers will enjoy watching it that way too."
◇The atmosphere of NST members is "just the way they are"
When asked about the atmosphere among the NST members, Yuura revealed, "It's just like they are (laughs). Everyone is perfectly cast for their roles. Even when the cameras aren't rolling, it feels like NST is just there."
"Although this was my first time acting with many of the cast members, it was so easy to blend in with them that it was like we had never met before. Kanna Hashimoto, who played Yui, was the one who led the set. She is just like Yui, treating everyone in a frank manner. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, I feel that she created an environment where those of us who joined midway through could easily fit in."
Inukai herself said that she had never had close experience working with a registered dietitian before, saying, "I had the image of them as people who calculate calories and plan meals, but when I learned that Yui carefully supports each individual and thinks about them when planning menus, I felt that it was a really wonderful job."
"Of course, each and every patient who comes to Shin Yodogawa Memorial Hospital has their own life story, with their own personality and way of life, and I realized that Sugisawa and the other people working in the medical field are involved in the turning points in their lives. It's Sugisawa and his team's job to do something to make sure that person's life moves in a slightly better direction. It's not about curing an illness, but ultimately it's all about people. That's why the things that Yui has cultivated up to now will have an impact on the patients in this hospital episode. I hope you enjoy watching how people connect with each other to form a circle, and their relationships with their fun NST colleagues," she said.
