Mizuki Yamashita obtains first-class boat license

It has been revealed that actress Mizuki Yamashita has obtained a first-class boat license. Yamashita obtained the license for the drama, as she will be playing a maritime officer in the October drama series "Shin-Tokyo Water Police" (Fuji TV, Tuesdays at 9 PM).

Yamashita obtained a first-class small vessel operator's license (first-class boat license), which allows him to navigate cruisers, yachts, etc. in all waters. Unlike a second-class boat license, which limits the scope of boat operation, this is the highest level of boat license, allowing him to sail anywhere in the world.

In the drama, Yamashita plays Arima Reiko, a maritime officer who pilots patrol boats and conducts water patrols to ensure the safety of the seas and rivers. Immediately after receiving the offer, she decided to obtain a boat license and took a course herself. After that, she learned about various boats in her spare time, and after actually boarding a boat to master her boating skills, she successfully passed the national exam.

The drama is based on the novel of the same name by Yoshikawa Eri, which has been published in five installments. The setting is that the "Tokyo Water Police Station," which existed until 2008, has been revived as a police station, and the Water Police Station team, made up of unique characters including detectives played by Sato Ryuta and marine technical officers who operate boats, travels around in patrol boats and pursues various crimes that occur in Tokyo's seas and rivers, making it a "marine x crime entertainment" story. The setting is the Tokyo Bay area, and the "Wangan Police Station" will also appear as a rival to the "Water Police Station."

◇Comment from Mizuki Yamashita

- During filming, you actually piloted a boat. How was that?

The boat was much bigger than the one I used for my boat license test and practice, so I was a little nervous and anxious at first. However, I was able to accompany the staff on location scouting before filming, so I was able to practice a little and enjoy driving during the actual shoot!

-Where would you like to go using the boat license you have obtained?

My senior sailors told me that they often go to Oshima, so if I have the chance, I'd like to go!

-Please give a message to the viewers.

Until now, the occupation of maritime technical personnel has not been portrayed much in Japanese dramas. Before filming began, I spoke to someone who actually worked as a maritime technical personnel, and learned that unlike on land, there is no freedom and that the personnel are constantly fighting against the threats of the sea, risking their lives.

I started with zero knowledge about ships, so I've been studying hard and working hard to stay in shape every day, and I'm taking on the challenge of filming with the hope that through my role, people will be able to learn a little about the existence of maritime technical personnel. Please look forward to it!