"Platinum Family: A Peek into the Magnificent Family" is a TV Asahi variety show that introduces the lifestyle of a "magnificent family" (Tuesdays at 7pm, excluding some areas). On February 17th, Jun Tsushima, a member of the House of Representatives and grandson of the Showa era literary giant Osamu Dazai, will be making an appearance.
Dazai's family, the Tsushima clan, are large landowners in Aomori and have produced politicians for generations. Dazai's father and older brother were also politicians. Jun served as Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office in the Takaichi Sanae Cabinet and is a member of the Diet who was re-elected in the recent general election. He splits his time between Tokyo and Aomori.
The program will follow Jun's life closely, showing off his 3LDK home that was built three years ago, including large windows that let in natural light, and a bright red island kitchen that is a nod to Dazai, who lived for "love and revolution."
The program also visits Dazai's birthplace, Shayokan, in Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, to uncover the hidden side of Dazai. Born as the sixth son of 11 siblings into a splendid family, Dazai's mother was in poor health, and his childhood consisted of his daily routine of listening to old stories from the babysitter on the stone steps of the storehouse. The program also delves into the mind of Jun, whose great grandfather Dazai was born. The program introduces Dazai's letter begging the judges for the Akutagawa Prize, as well as an anecdote about him writing the name of his idol, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, in a notebook.
On this day, "Platinum Family" was a special collaboration with "Exploring Japan Academic Variety: Tuesday's Yoshizumi Kotaro." The "Platinum Family" segment introduced an old house on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture that is over 150 years old. In the "Tuesday's Yoshizumi Kotaro" segment, "travel expert" Yoshizumi Ishihara guided viewers on a day trip around Kagoshima Prefecture that "can be enjoyed in 12 hours."
