It has been announced that actress Mao Daichi will be appearing in the TV Asahi Thursday drama "Okome no Onna - National Tax Agency Document Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Affairs Room" (Thursdays 9:00 PM), starring Nanako Matsushima, which will start airing on January 8, 2026.
She will play the role of Iijima Sakuko, a member of the team led by the main character Yoneda Seiko (Matsushima), who takes down unscrupulous tax evaders. Matsushima cut her hair short to suit the role, and Daichi also has a makeover with a bob cut.
The story is set in the "Complex National Tax Case Processing Office (commonly known as Zakkoku)," a newly established department within the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau's Document Investigation Division (known as "Kome" from the "Rice" radical in the character for "fee"), which boasts high information gathering and investigative skills in tax investigations. It follows the story of skilled investigator Masako Yoneda, who, together with a group of unique individuals, takes down unscrupulous tax evaders.
Daichi plays Iijima Sakuko, a former national tax investigator and Masako's former boss. She was feared as the "raid witch" who could find any kind of slush fund, but was deeply traumatized by a certain incident and transferred to the tax office. She was living a peaceful life, consulting elderly people about tax returns, when she was recruited by Masako and became a member of Zakkoku.
Daichi commented, "When I heard about the role, I thought the script, which focuses on the departments of 'come' and 'smuggling,' was really interesting." Regarding Sakuko, she said, "When she's called in by Masako (played by Matsushima), she feels like 'I want to take another step forward.' As each character's human drama unfolds, I want to portray Sakuko, who looks forward and starts walking steadily, in a way that is full of humanity."
Regarding her co-starring with Matsushima, she said, "I'm really looking forward to seeing how we interact and what kind of chemistry we'll have," and appealed, "It's an interesting theme, and I think it's a production that everyone will find interesting and enjoyable to watch. Please be sure to check it out."
The cast members for "Okome no Onna" have been announced for seven consecutive days, and it has been revealed that the main cast will include Hayato Sano, Neru Nagahama, Chiba Yudai, Katsumi Takahashi, and Totsugi Shigeyuki.
