Actress Nanako Matsushima and the other main cast members of the drama "Rice Woman - National Tax Agency Document Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Affairs Room" (TV Asahi, Thursdays 9pm) recently held a "New Year's! Mochi Pounding Event" themed around rice at TV Asahi (Minato Ward, Tokyo).
The event was attended by Matsushima, Hayato Sano, Neru Nagahama, Katsumi Takahashi, and Mao Daichi, who play members of the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau's "Complex National Tax Case Processing Office (commonly known as Zakkoku)," which punishes unscrupulous tax evaders. Also appearing on behalf of the National Tax Agency, which is cooperating with the filming of the drama, was "Eta-kun," an original character from the National Tax Electronic Filing and Payment System (E-Tax).
Sano, who said he has experience pounding mochi, was first up to the challenge with a 5kg pestle. Surprised by the weight of the pestle, Sano exclaimed, "It's heavy!", but he pounded the mochi and struck a sharp pose. Matsushima and others, who were watching, praised him, saying, "That's great!", a play on the hit song "Ii Jan" by M!LK, the five-member vocal dance unit to which Sano belongs.
Next, Matsushima declared, "I'll do it because it's the heaviest!", and easily lifted the 10kg pestle, saying, "No problem at all!", to which Sano replied with a wry smile, "I feel a bit pathetic..."
Takahashi raised the pestle and shouted, "What's that?! I've done it! Men should just shut up and say it!", impersonating the comedy duo "Cool Poko," drawing laughter from those around him.
