It was revealed on October 10th that actress Shinobu Otake will be appearing in director Yoji Yamada's 91st film, "TOKYO Taxi" (released November 21st). This will be Otake's first time working with Yamada in 27 years, and her long-awaited first time acting alongside Takuya Kimura.
"TOKYO Taxi" is based on the French film "Paris Taxi" (2022). Director Yamada and Yuzo Asahara are in charge of the screenplay. One day, taxi driver Koji Usami (Kimura) is tasked with driving 85-year-old Sumire Takano (Chieko Baisho) from Shibamata, Tokyo, to a nursing home in Hayama, Kanagawa. Sumire asks Koji to make a detour, saying, "There are a few places I'd like to visit before my final visit to Tokyo." As they travel together in the taxi, Sumire gradually opens up to Koji, and begins to share her own tragic past. This is the story of how the two people's chance encounter changes their hearts and lives... This is the first time Kimura and director Yamada have teamed up in 19 years since "A Minute of a Samurai" (2006). It's also the first time they've worked together with Baisho in 21 years, since the animated feature film "Howl's Moving Castle" (2004).
Otake plays Keiko, the older sister of Koji, played by Kimura. Koji's only daughter has been recommended to attend a high school attached to a music college, and the Usami family is thrilled. However, the family finances are in dire straits, with tuition fees, taxi inspection fees, and house renewal fees all on the way. Worried about the realities that are weighing on him one after the other, Koji makes up his mind and calls Keiko, asking her to lend him some money.
Over the phone, Otake and Kimura exchanged words like real siblings. Although they have appeared in the same productions in the past, this is their first time acting together. Otake expressed her joy at their first co-starring role, saying, "Actually, I've never acted with Kimura in a drama or movie. Of course, I've met him before, but this was the first time we'd worked together, so I was happy. However, it was a shame that this time I only had a voice role, and I hope that next time we'll be able to act face to face."
This was his first time working with Yamada in 27 years, and he reflected on filming with director Yamada, saying, "I was nostalgic about how the director would give me very detailed instructions, and I thought, 'Ah, it's really great. It's a bit sad that I only had this many scenes.' Working with Yamada again after so long made me realise once again the importance of making a film carefully and meticulously."
Regarding this film, he said, "It's a truly dreamlike, heartwarming story, and I think it's one of those films that Director Yamada really wanted to make. I hope you'll look forward to it."
Otake's ex-husband, Sanma Akashiya, is making his first appearance in Yamada's production, providing a voice role for Sada, a co-worker who begs Koji (Kimura) to take on Sumire's (Baisho) request on his behalf.
