It was revealed on November 7th that actor Sota Fukushi will star in the January 2026 Tuesday 9pm drama "Tokyo PD Metropolitan Police Department Public Relations Division 2" (Tuesdays at 9pm). The drama is a socially conscious police drama with an entirely original story that depicts the pride and dignity, as well as the conflicts and struggles, between a public relations officer and a detective on the scene. It has also been confirmed that actor Naoto Ogata will be teaming up with Fukushi for the first time.
The "PD" in the title stands for "Police Department." The Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division is the department where all of the organization's information is gathered, and is an important part of the organization, forming the boundary between the inside and outside of the organization, similar to the "skin" of the human body, but not much is known about its true nature. The Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division has a wide range of responsibilities, with Section 1 handling general affairs and the music band, Section 2 handling press releases, and Section 3 handling cooperation with dramas, variety shows, and other media exposure, as well as magazines.
Internally, Section 2 is responsible for the Metropolitan Police Department's public relations, arranging press conferences and information management when an incident occurs, negotiating with senior investigators, and managing and negotiating information between reporters and the investigative section. Externally, however, it's a tricky job, sometimes using the media to their advantage and sometimes leaking information to try to control it. The protagonist, a detective who was supposed to join the First Investigation Division for certain reasons, is sent to the Second Public Relations Section. While depicting the various events and incidents that occur within the Metropolitan Police Department, the story also portrays the fascinating dynamics of organizations and human relationships.
It's been 15 years since Fukushi made his acting debut in the January 2011 drama "Misaki Number One!!" (NTV). This will be his first lead role in a drama produced by the station in about 10 years, since "Koinaka" in July 2015. Fukushi plays Imaizumi Rintaro, a detective at Kuramaebashi Police Station who is transferred to the Public Relations Division 2. He joined the Metropolitan Police Department to become a detective in the First Investigation Division, but for some reason is transferred to the Public Relations Division. For Imaizumi, who dislikes reporters due to the trauma of a past incident, his transfer to the Public Relations Division, where he has close ties with reporters, is unexpected...
Ogata plays Ando Naoshi, the section chief of the Public Relations Division's 2nd Section, to which Imaizumi (Fukushi) has been transferred. He likes drinking and parties, but he has the insight of a former detective from the 1st Investigative Division. Although he appears absent-minded, he is actually the sharpest person in controlling the reporters. He supports Imaizumi from behind the scenes, who has just been transferred. Ando is actually set to have a "certain past" involving an unsolved case. Ogata made his debut in the film "Yushun ORACION" in 1988. This will be his first drama appearance on the same network in about 22 years, since "My Madonna... and I Love Her" (July 2003). This will be his first time acting alongside Fukushi.
◇Three challenges
This new series will see the network attempt three new ventures for the first time. The first is the use of the "writers' room method" for the script. This method is a type of scriptwriting that is primarily used in overseas productions, where multiple scriptwriters come together to jointly write the overall story and the structure of each episode. This method has recently been adopted for NHK General TV's "30 Million" (2024) and Prime Video's "Angel Flight: International Funeral Home Specialist" (2023), and this will be the first time the network has used this method for all episodes of the script.
The second is that this is the first time that the station has produced a drama series set in the Public Relations Division. Dramas set in the public relations department include the Sunday Theatre "Flying Public Relations Office" (2013, TBS) and the one-off drama "Wooden Straw" (Fuji TV), which aired in 2022, but this is the first time that a Fuji TV drama series will be set in the public relations field. Set in the Public Relations Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, a cast of unique characters will create a new drama.
The third plan is to create a collaborative drama series with FOD, combining terrestrial broadcasting and streaming. Season 1 will be broadcast on terrestrial TV in January 2026, and then FOD will exclusively stream Season 2 after Season 1 ends.
Comments from Fukushi, Ogata, and others are as follows:
◇Comment from Sota Fukushi
-Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to appear in this film.
I thought it would be interesting to dramatize something that is not well known, the Metropolitan Police Department Public Relations Division 2. The producer is a former media journalist, so I look forward to reading each episode of the script.
-What was your impression after reading the script?
Before reading the script, I didn't know much about the existence of the Public Relations Section 2 or what they actually do, but I found it very interesting to learn about the behind-the-scenes work of the public relations department and the connections they have with the media.
-What is your impression of the role you will be playing?
The character I play is transferred to the Public Relations Division through unexpected circumstances, but he is extremely motivated and wants to become a detective. So at first, he moves forward while questioning what exactly a public relations department does, but will his motivation and public relations skills be multiplied and he will move in the right direction? Maybe he wants to join the First Investigation Division after all? That's the kind of character he is.
--This will be your first starring role in a Fuji TV drama in about 10 years. How do you feel about it?
I was surprised to hear that it's been about 10 years since my last appearance. The last time I appeared was in "Koinaka," when I was 22 years old and was in a heart-pounding drama that aired on Getsuku(laughs). This time, I'm back after 10 years, and I'll be working with Naoto Ogata, so I think the drama itself will be socially conscious and I'll be able to show a different side of myself.
-Finally, please give a message to the viewers and fans who are looking forward to the broadcast.
"Tokyo PD Metropolitan Police Department Public Relations Section 2" is a socially conscious drama that conveys the nature of the work of the public relations department, the movements of the media behind the scenes of cases, and the various emotions that drive each of the characters in the public relations department. Please be sure to check it out.
◇Comment from Naoto Ogata
-Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to appear in this film.
My debut was in the film "Yushun ORACION" (1988), which was produced to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Fuji TV's launch, so I'm actually an actor from Fuji TV (lol)! It's been a while since I've been in a Fuji TV drama, so I'm looking forward to doing my best.
-What was your impression after reading the script?
I think we can create a strong, serious social drama. I think the public relations officer is in a delicate position, standing between the police and the press. I think that this aspect will surely make the drama interesting for the viewers.
-What is your impression of the role you will be playing?
I'm a former detective in the First Investigative Division, but for some reason I'm now in the Public Relations Division. My character is an avid drinker (laughs). I'd like to do my best to tackle the case while closely supporting Imaizumi, played by Fukushi Sota.
--This will be your first appearance in a Fuji TV drama in about 22 years. How do you feel about it?
I have the impression that Fuji TV's productions are mostly romance stories, but I don't think there are many dramas with such socially conscious content. I would like to create a good drama with Fukushi-kun.
-Finally, please give a message to the viewers and fans who are looking forward to the broadcast.
We will be doing a drama set in the Public Relations Division of the Metropolitan Police Department. It's a type of work that not many people have seen before, so we're going to be enthusiastic about it. I hope you'll watch it.
◇Planning, concept and production: Hideki Yasunaga (Fuji Television Studio 3)
Hardly a day goes by without seeing or hearing about news of crimes or accidents on various media outlets, such as television and newspapers, or on social media. But how does this information, which could have a significant impact on society, get out into the world? Is it accurate information? Is it subject to the arbitrary discretion of investigative authorities and the media? At such times, the Public Relations Division plays an essential role in police organizations. Here is the little-known story of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division, which, in addition to publicizing crimes and accidents, promotes the organization while also working to protect it, and which is caught between the public, the media, and the organization.
