Jun Matsumoto will be starring in the Sunday Theatre for the first time in about seven years in " The 19th medical record " (Sundays at 9pm) which starts on July 13th. This will be his first time playing a doctor, playing the role of a general practitioner, which is considered the 19th new field in medicine. Matsumoto talked about his thoughts on the medical drama and his role.
◇The reason for the Sunday Theatre “return”
-How did you feel when you received the offer to appear in this film?
Frankly, I was honored to be able to appear in Sunday Theatre for the first time in about seven years. While I have been involved in various productions up until now, I had vaguely wondered, "If I were to play a doctor, what kind of doctor would I be?" I was surprised because I never thought I would be playing a "general practitioner," a new field of doctor in Japan.
--What made you decide to appear in the film?
I was touched by the enthusiasm of the production team. I was also very interested in how the role of a general practitioner would be portrayed, and I felt that Tsubota (Fumi)'s script was very warm and that it was a story that "seemed possible, but didn't."
-What did you keep in mind when adapting the original work into a film?
General practitioners are also known as the "19th specialist" in Japanese medicine. They are doctors who treat people holistically, in a different position from the existing 18 specialties. The drama delves deeper into the original work and tries to portray each character at Uotora General Hospital (where the story takes place) and Tokushige's relationships in three dimensions. There are no big peaks or valleys, but the structure, which gradually seeps in, may have something in common with the actual field of general medicine. I would be happy if the drama could make viewers interested in medicine and give them an opportunity to think about their own bodies.
◇ First role as a doctor - what does he look like in a white coat?
-What do you think of Tokushige as a person?
In the original work, Tokushige has the impression of being a gentle and soft person. But I also felt that he was a person with a strong core. The original work does not clearly describe why he chose to be a general practitioner or what experiences he has had, so I am currently working on imagining the background while consulting with the staff. I would like to portray Tokushige as a person who takes Japanese medical care seriously.
--Do you have anything in common with him?
When I talked to the staff, my first impression was that Tokushige was a very soft-spoken person. He certainly has a soft demeanor when interacting with people, and I feel that he uses this demeanor intentionally to interact with patients in the clinic.
However, he is not just kind, but while examining the patient's condition, he thinks about "how to expand the conversation" and "where to lead" and acts accordingly. In that sense, he is a person who uses his head very much. Although he is not as good as Tokushige, there are some parts that overlap with me in that respect, and I feel like I understand a little bit why he called out to me.
--This is your first time playing a doctor, so are you used to seeing yourself in a white coat?
I'm still not used to it (laughs). But it makes me feel more alert. I cut my hair in time for the poster visual shoot, and it feels like I'm gradually getting closer to Tokushige. Through the script readings, rehearsals, and meetings with medical supervisor Masaomi Ikusaka, I've started to feel like "it's finally starting."
◇ "Cherish a sense of balance" - The importance of emotional dialogue
-Have you known about general practitioners before?
I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know anything about it, so I started off wondering, "Which hospital is it in?" and "How do I get examined?" However, after talking to Dr. Ikusaka, I learned that it is a medical department that examines people from a very broad perspective. It examines not only physical symptoms, but also the mind and lifestyle background. I would be happy if this drama could broaden people's understanding of "general medical care" even a little.
-Is there anything you keep in mind when playing the role of a doctor?
In my mind, when I think of doctors (who appear in dramas), I have a strong impression of surgical procedures and surgical techniques, but there aren't many scenes like that in this role. Rather, the style is to examine the social and psychological background of the patient, such as "what kind of environment does this person live in?" That's why the interview is important, and I have the impression that the story unfolds from there.
Dr. Ikusaka taught me that "the most important thing is the interview." There are many clues to diagnosis in conversations with patients. The truth may be hidden in facial expressions, tone of voice, and small gestures. I felt that this "ability to listen" is very important for a general practitioner, and at the same time, it applies to communication between people in general.
--Mr. Matsumoto, is there anything that you keep in mind when having a conversation?
I think that sometimes the nuance of words can't be fully conveyed just by reading about them or hearing about them from other people. I think there are some parts that can only be conveyed when you add in information like the tone of voice or facial expression of the person who said the words.
What I especially feel when doing this job is that while speed and efficiency increase when someone is involved, the essential parts may not be conveyed. As a result, it may take more time than you think. Of course, there are times when remote communication is convenient, but when you want to convey the essence of something, I think it's better to meet in person.
Convenience isn't everything, and taking time and effort isn't the right answer. We think about how to best communicate the situation at any given time. We value this sense of balance.
-Finally, please give a message to our viewers.
This time, while the theme is medical care, we are aiming to create a drama that will warm the hearts of viewers. We hope to carefully depict the form of medical care that can only be depicted in the "now" of 2025, the way people interact with each other, and the warmth and meaning of that.
I want to shed light on the new field of medical care known as general practice, while also paying particular attention to realistic aspects such as the relationships with specialists and the role of doctors within the hospital. I want to make a story that is as truthful as possible so that medical professionals can understand it.
I hope that viewers can experience the realism of the medical field, as well as the humanity and warmth of the characters. Please look forward to it.
