It has been announced that actor Akira Terao will star in the TV Asahi Thursday drama "Okome no Onna - National Tax Agency Document Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Affairs Room" (Thursdays at 9pm, with the first episode extended by six minutes), starring Nanako Matsushima, which will begin airing on January 8, 2026. He will play Denji Yoneda, the father of the main character, Seiko Yoneda (played by Matsushima).
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.
Since losing his wife Fusae, Tatsuji, played by Terao, has been living a modest life alone in a small rural area of Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture, peacefully growing vegetables in his family garden. However, there is a subtle distance between him and his daughter Masako, who occasionally returns home. Meanwhile, Masako treasures a photo of her, her parents, and the three of them taken on the day of her high school graduation ceremony.
Terao commented, "When I heard about this role, I thought it would be interesting to hear that Nanako Matsushima would be starring. I had seen the drama "Kaseifu no Mita" (2011), and I thought it was really lovely how Matsushima stood straight and tall while acting. To be honest, when I thought about the schedule, I thought it might be difficult given my age and physical strength... but I decided to appear because Matsushima was starring and because of my relationship with the producer."
"I am truly saddened and disappointed by the passing of wonderful actors of my generation, such as Nishida Toshiyuki, with whom I was close friends over the past few years. That is why, as an actor of my generation, I look forward to people seeing me on screen and saying, 'Oh, this guy is still going! He's so funny!' I also hope that viewers of my generation will see me acting energetically and think, 'That guy is still going strong!' and be inspired to move forward positively...I hope I can be of some help in that regard."
The main cast of "Okome no Onna" was announced for seven days in a row starting from December 7th. It was announced that Hayato Sano, Neru Nagahama Nagahama, Yudai Chiba, Katsumi Takahashi Takahashi, Shigeyuki Totsugi, Mao Daichi, and Terao will appear.
