It was announced on January 13th that actor Ogata Atsushi will be appearing in the Fuji TV Tuesday 9pm drama "Tokyo PD Metropolitan Police Department Public Relations Division 2" (Tuesdays at 9pm), starring Fukushi Sota. Atsushi is the eldest son of actors Naoto Ogata and Sendou Atsuko, and made his acting debut in 2017. This will be his first time acting alongside his father Naoto since the streaming drama "MAGI - Tensho Kenou Shonen Shisetsu" (2019, Amazon Prime Video), but this will be their first time acting together in a terrestrial TV drama. Atsushi will play the younger version of Ando Naoshi, the section chief of the Public Relations Division 2, played by Naoto.
The "PD" in the title stands for "Police Department." The Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division is the department where all of the organization's information is gathered, and is an important part of the organization, forming the boundary between the inside and outside of the organization, similar to the "skin" of the human body, but not much is known about its true nature. The Metropolitan Police Department's Public Relations Division has a wide range of responsibilities, with Section 1 handling general affairs and the music band, Section 2 handling press releases, and Section 3 handling cooperation with dramas, variety shows, and other media exposure, as well as magazines.
Internally, Section 2 is responsible for the Metropolitan Police Department's public relations, arranging press conferences and information management when an incident occurs, negotiating with senior investigators, and managing and negotiating information between reporters and the investigative section. Externally, however, it's a tricky job, sometimes using the media through interactions and sometimes attempting to control it by leaking information. The protagonist, a detective who was supposed to join the First Investigation Division for certain reasons, is sent to the Public Relations Section 2. While depicting the various events and incidents that occur within the Metropolitan Police Department, the story also portrays the fascinating dynamics of organizations and human relationships.
In this work, Naoto plays Ando, the section chief of the Public Relations Division's 2nd Section, to which Imaizumi (Fukushi) has been transferred. He likes drinking and parties, but he also has the insight of a former detective from the 1st Investigative Division. Although he appears absent-minded, he is actually the sharpest person in controlling the reporters. He supports Imaizumi from behind the scenes, who has just been transferred. Ando, in fact, has a "certain past" involving an unsolved case. Naoto made his debut in the film "Yushun ORACION" in 1988. This is his first appearance in a drama on the same station in about 22 years, since "My Madonna... and I Love Her" (July 2003). This will be his first time acting alongside Fukushi.
Atsushi will play the younger version of Ando, played by Naoto. It was revealed in the first episode, broadcast on January 13th, that father and son will be playing the same character. Atsushi passionately portrays Ando as a young detective in the First Investigation Division, in the "past incident" that led Ando to come to the PR department.
Atsushi made his acting debut in the 2017 TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Rikuou," and has also appeared in the streaming drama "Oshi no Ko" (2024, Amazon Prime Video) and the film "La Campanera" (2025, Kyoei Arts). He is also playing the role of Oda Nobusumi in the currently airing NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!"
Atsushi commented, "I was surprised when I heard about the role, as I never imagined I would be playing my father when he was young. It's a very interesting story that delves into recent events. I hope everyone will look forward to seeing how the young Ando connects to the story."
