The first episode of the drama series "Galaxy Vote" (Kansai TV/Fuji TV, Mondays at 10 PM), starring actress Haru Kuroki, aired on April 20th. Viewers have been criticizing the remarks made by Diet member Ryusei Hiyama, played by Kohei Matsushita.
◇The following contains spoilers.
The drama is an "election entertainment" story in which Mari Hoshino (played by Kuroki) recruits Akari Tsukioka (played by Noro Kayo), a bar owner with no political experience, to be her election strategist, and together they take on the Tokyo gubernatorial election.
Ryusei is Mari's childhood friend and a member of the ruling Minsei Party. He plays the role of a rising star in the faction led by Mari's father, Minsei Party Secretary-General Hoshino Takaomi (played by Bando Yajuro).
In the Diet, Ryusei, the representative of the initiators of the Basic Law on Measures to Prevent Illness, gave a speech. He appealed to the audience, waving his hands dramatically, saying, "Due to the accelerating aging of our population, our country's health insurance finances are in crisis. Shall we talk about the 'before' rather than the 'after'?"
Watching the parliamentary proceedings, Mari immediately interjected, "Is it 'before' instead of 'after'?" Office staff member Sumida (played by Mayumi Sato) also chuckled, "Ryusei Hiyama is really going for it today. It doesn't make any sense, though."
On social media, comments included: "Not 'after,' but 'before' lol. Ryusei is the type of politician who makes incomprehensible statements. Lol," "Not 'after,' but 'before.' I don't understand what he's saying. On the contrary, right?", "Kohei Matsushita's character is indescribable. He seems to have a decent approach to politics, but he also tries to go along with the powerful, so I guess he's a shrewd politician," and "Suspicious Kohei Matsushita Kouhei is addictive."
