The cast members of the TV Asahi Thursday drama "Okome no Onna - National Tax Agency Materials Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Affairs Room," starring actress Nanako Matsushima(to begin airing on January 8, 2026), will be announced over seven consecutive days. The first announcement was that Hayato Sano will appear.
Sano is a popular young actor who is currently starring alongside Sakurada Hiyori in the drama "ESCAPE: It Was Supposed to be Kidnapping" (NTV, Wednesdays at 10pm), and is also appearing on the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen Gassen on New Year's Eve as part of the vocal and dance unit "M!LK." This will be his first time acting alongside Matsushima in about 10 years, since they played father and daughter in the drama "Suna no Tou: Shiritsugita Neighbor" (TBS, 2016).
The story is set in the "Complex National Tax Case Processing Room (commonly known as Zakkoku)," a newly established original department within the Document Investigation Division of the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, which boasts high information gathering capabilities and investigative skills in tax investigations. It follows the story of skilled investigator Masako Yoneda (Matsushima) as she, along with a group of unique individuals, takes down unscrupulous tax evaders.
Sano plays Koichi Sasano, a career Ministry of Finance employee and University of Tokyo graduate working in the Document Research Division. He's treated like a nuisance within the bureau due to his elite status, and is unable to work on important projects, which leaves him feeling unsatisfied. He's then recruited by Masako to join Zakkoku. In addition to his exceptional information processing abilities, he's a "numbers specialist" with the ability to instantly memorize numbers from ledgers and documents and perform calculations in a matter of seconds.
Regarding his role, Sano commented, "I talk a lot (laughs)! I thought it was a character with a lot of lines. There are a lot of difficult technical terms, so I'm looking them up and studying them one by one. He's a smart and charming character, so I hope I can find the right balance."
Regarding working with Matsushima again, he said, "The last time we worked together was 10 years ago, on a production where I was a regular cast member for the first time. At the time, I still didn't know much about acting, but she took such good care of me. I still treasure the letter and socks she gave me when we wrapped up filming. They are such fond memories. I think I've grown over the past 10 years, so I hope I can show her that. And this time, I'd like to give Matsushima some socks as a gift."
