It was revealed on February 18th that singer MISIA will be performing the theme song for the NHK evening drama "Radio Star" (General TV, Monday to Thursday 10:45pm), starring Momoko Fukuchi, which will begin airing on March 30th. The song is titled "A Boat Full of Happiness" and the lyrics and music will be written by singer Yumi Matsutoya. This is the first time that MISIA and Matsutoya have collaborated on a song.
The poster visual was also released. It shows Fukuchi's profile and was taken in Noto. The photo was taken by photographer Mikako Kozai.
"Radio Star" is set in Noto. The main character, Kanade Hiiragi (played by Fukuchi), is caught in an earthquake while traveling to Noto, the hometown of her girlfriend. At the time, Matsumoto Kosuke (played by Komoto Masahiro) warmly looked after her at an evacuation center. Wanting to repay his kindness, Kanade visits Noto again. There, Matsumoto asks her to become a radio personality on Disaster FM... This will be a "non-stop entertainment drama" in which an unknown citizen becomes a star.
◇Comment from MISIA
Yuming has such a deep affection for Ishikawa Prefecture that she calls it her "second hometown," and has been a radio personality for many years. When we appeared together on a radio program last year to mark the anniversary of her debut, we talked about Noto.
The song that Yuming wrote is about a fisherman who lives by riding the waves of the sea.
To the people I met, held hands with, and embraced when I visited Oku-Noto to provide soup kitchens. I wonder how they are doing? Are they doing well? I hope there are times when you can smile. With this wish in mind, I sang while imagining everyone carrying boats full of happiness and hearts full of happiness.
Radio, too, rides the "waves" of radio waves, quietly yet surely reaching someone invisible. The waves of the Noto sea and the waves of radio waves. This song was born from the overlapping of these two. I would be happy if the song, along with the story, could bring "happiness" to the hearts of those who listen.
◇Comment from Yumi Matsutoya
MISIA and I share the same feelings about Noto.
When I was writing this song and MISIA's heartfelt voice was added to it, I felt like I could clearly see the smiles and tears of many people behind the song.
I hope that this song will reach the hearts of many people who are currently in difficult situations, not only in Noto, but all over Japan.
◇ Comment from Producer Kensuke Matsuki
Machino-cho, Wajima City, is a place where we have done a lot of research. MISIA, who used to run soup kitchens in the area, has always been in our hearts. We honestly expressed our feelings and offered her the theme song, and to our surprise, she replied that she wanted to have Yumi Matsutoya compose it. We were overwhelmed by the joy and encouragement, as well as the instantaneous force of the two people who came together at top speed for the sake of their loved ones. I believe there is no energy more powerful than the feelings of caring for someone. We hope that the song that was born from this, and the drama that the cast and staff carefully crafted, will gently resonate in the hearts of everyone who watches.
The poster visual was photographed by Mikako Kozai. I believe that listening to the radio is as important as talking. What kind of sounds does Kanade hear in the land of Noto? The earth, the sea, the sky, the voices of the people. She took photos that allow you to hear the sounds in your imagination.
The broadcast will finally start on March 30th. Please be sure to watch.
