It was revealed on December 3rd that actress Nanako Matsushima will be starring in the TV Asahi Thursday drama "Okome no Onna - National Tax Agency Document Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Affairs Room," which will begin airing on January 8th, 2026. This will be Matsushima's first lead role in a TV Asahi drama series, and she will play the protagonist, Yoneda Seiko, an eccentric and skilled investigator at the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau who leads an elite group that surpasses the "Marusa" tax authorities. A visual of Matsushima with short hair and glasses has also been released.
The staff of the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau's Document Investigation Division possess overwhelming information gathering abilities and investigative skills, and it is said that each employee uncovers hundreds of millions of yen in hidden income per year, surpassing even the "Marusa" (National Tax Agency Inspection Division). Known as the "last stronghold of tax investigations," the division's name is "Kome," a combination of the character for "rice" and the character for "fee." The story is set in a newly established department within "Kome," an original department for the drama called the "Complex National Tax Case Processing Office" (commonly known as "Zakkoku").
Masako, played by Matsushima, establishes "Zakkoku" to investigate and solve tax evasion cases that "Kome" does not handle, and assembles a group of eccentric members who have extraordinary abilities but no interest in promotion. With Masako's strong belief that "we will not overlook lies or money" and the outstanding abilities of the "Zakkoku" members as weapons, the drama will be a "socially conscious, exciting entertainment drama" in which unscrupulous tax evaders are cut down in one fell swoop.
Although Zakkoku is treated as a "window seat" by other departments, he uses the abilities of each member of the team to cut down the evil schemes of "upper class citizens" who try to evade taxes to line their own pockets, such as villains who hold unscrupulous seminars to try to steal the assets of the elderly, and corrupt politicians who use their influence to cover up scandals and their own taint.
On the other hand, Masako enjoys her time alone in her private life, such as drinking sake as a hobby. She is originally from Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, and says, "I love rice more than three meals a day." She brings a rice cooker into the custom-made kitchen at her workplace to cook rice, and has a habit of muttering to herself.
Matsushima said, "I'm Emergency Interrogation Room about appearing in the Thursday 9pm time slot, which is full of really fun dramas," and added, "It's a story in a field I'm unfamiliar with, so reading the script really got my imagination going, and I thought I'd have fun working on it." Regarding her role as Masako, she said, "I share the desire for a world where people who work hard are rewarded, which is something both Masako and I have in common. Since it's a work-related role, I hope to portray a character who is more lively, straightforward, and agile than my usual self."
Additionally, images of Matsushima wearing glasses, something she hasn't often done before, and with short hair that she cut to match Masako's image were also released.
Matsushima and others' comments are as follows:
◇Comment from Nanako Matsushima(role of Masako Yoneda)
I'm nervous about TV Asahi's "Thursday Drama" slot, as it's full of popular dramas. Reading the script for "Okome no Onna" really got my imagination going, and my interest in "rice" grew. I feel like I'll be able to enjoy this project in many ways. The story is set in an original department, so it seems like it will be entertaining and have some comedic elements. I feel like I can relate to Masako's sense of justice and desire for a world where hard work is rewarded, and because Masako is a character who feels that way more than anyone else, this role will have a lot of potential. Since it's a work-related drama, I hope to portray a more lively, easygoing, and agile character than I usually am. This drama is a thrilling entertainment drama in which we punish sly and devious tax evaders one after another, so please look forward to it!
◇Comment from Soei Hamada (TV Asahi producer)
The protagonist of this series is the eccentric and skilled tax investigator, Yoneda Masako. Her name is pronounced Yoneda Seiko, not Shoko or Masako. True to her name, Masako lives up to her motto of "collecting correctly and spending correctly," bringing down sly and devious tax evaders with satisfying results. A new heroine is born in the Thursday drama slot, which has produced charming female protagonists such as "Doctor X," "Emergency Interrogation Room," and "Seven Secretaries." She sports black-rimmed glasses, a shoulder bag, and a fearless smile. She occasionally mutters to herself in a cynical tone. Look forward to this unprecedented portrayal of Masako, played by Nanako Matsushima. The story is set in the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau. While it revolves around taxes, it's not at all complicated, and you'll enjoy this entertainment show that rewards good and punishes evil. More information about the cast, including the unique group of tax investigators Masako assembles, will be released soon. We hope you'll look forward to it.
