It has been revealed that actress Kyoko Yoshine will star in the NHK drama special "Guilty, the AI Announced," scheduled to air in spring 2026. The drama is a socially conscious entertainment piece that questions the role of humans who use AI, and how AI is now permeating society at an astonishing speed. Yoshine will play the role of rookie judge Madoka Takatoji, who is tasked with verifying the AI "Houshin," which is being experimentally introduced into the courts.
The drama is based on the novel of the same name by Nakayama Shichiri. The main character, Kotoji Madoka, is a judge at the Tokyo District Court and the granddaughter of the famous female judge, Kotoji Shizuka. She has no parents and was raised by her grandmother, Shizuka. Her grandmother was an excellent judge who made tireless efforts to ascertain the truth, and while she respected her grandmother, she also felt pressured by her. While she is amazed at the high processing power of the AI "Hoshin," she is also very wary of AI being involved in court decisions that affect people's lives.
Yoshine commented, "This is my first NHK drama in about five years, but the more I read the script, the more I was drawn to the deep questions the story poses. I'm also encouraged by the opportunity to work with seniors whom I respect, and I'm looking forward to filming. I hope everyone will watch it."
The drama is scheduled to air on NHK BS and Premium 4K in spring 2026.
