The new cast for the NHK morning drama "Kaze, Kaoru," starring Ai Mikami and Juri Uesaka, which will air in the first half of 2026, has been announced on NHK Drama's official website (@nhk_dramas). The seven new cast members announced this time are Rin (Mikami) and Naomi (Uesaka), who are classmates and teachers studying together in the early days of nursing, and will include Erika Ikuta, Akiko Kikuchi, Tomomi Nakai, Akira Kigoshi, Rin Harashima, Genri, and Shima Ise. This will be Ikuta, Kikuchi, Nakai, Kigoshi, and Harashima's first appearance in a morning drama.
Ikuta plays Tamada Tae, a classmate of the two heroines at the training school. Born into a family of house doctors, she has an honor student temperament and is very conscious.
Kikuchi plays Izumi Kiyo, the oldest alumnus of the training school. She is a devout Christian who has been divorced in the past.
Nakai plays Yuki Shinonome, a viscount's daughter and a fellow alumna of the training school. Inspired by Nightingale, she transfers from the girls' school she had been attending to a nursing school.
Kigoshi plays Shinobu Yanagida, the fourth daughter of a large kimono shop owner and a fellow alumna of the training school. She enrolls in the school because she is fascinated by the nurse uniforms she saw in a Western book.
Harashima plays Tome Kudo, a former alumna of the training school who hails from Aomori. She is the youngest child of a wealthy farming family and is also a mood maker.
Genri plays Matsui Ei, the dormitory supervisor and interpreter at the training center. She was an English teacher at a girls' school, but was suddenly asked by the principal to take on the role of dormitory supervisor and interpreter. She spends her days bewildered by the strong personalities of the students.
Ise Shima plays Kajiwara Toshiko, who serves as both the principal of a girls' school and the head of a training center, and is passionate about nurturing women who will pave the way for the times.
It was also announced that the narrator will be Naoko Ken and the music will be composed by Yuji Nomi.
"Kaze, Kaoru" is the 114th serial TV drama. Set in the Meiji era, it is a buddy drama featuring two trained nurses, Ozeki Chika and Suzuki Masa, as its two protagonists. The two graduated from the same nursing school, but struggle with how to interact with patients and doctors, and grow through clashes, eventually becoming the "strongest buddy." Migami plays the lead role of Ichinose Rin, while Uesaka plays Oya Naomi.
◇Comment from Production Supervisor and Chief Producer Takehiro Matsuzono
Rin and Naomi dive into the nascent world of nursing, where they are joined by fellow alumni and teachers who watch over them. Each with their own circumstances and passion for nursing, they come to Umeoka Nurse Training School. The group created on set by this wonderful cast has the entire studio filled with laughter and excitement every day.
The narrator will be Naoko Ken, who has already been announced as playing the role of Maji. "Kaze, Kaoru" will be brought to you with her unique and charming narration.
The music by Nomi Yuji, who is in charge of the music, has a "gentle gaze" at its core. Nostalgic and warm, with a touch of sadness and delicacy hidden within its generosity. Nomi's music breathes a new life into this drama.
Well, we are now just two months away from the broadcast starting. We look forward to the day when we can bring "Kaze, Kaoru" to everyone as spring arrives. Please continue to support us.
