"Detective! Night Scoop" (ABC TV, Fridays at 11:17 PM) is a popular variety show where "detectives" tackle bizarre requests and worries submitted by viewers. On July 3rd, they investigated "the legendary giant mochi-making machine left behind by the late father." Actress Miki Maya made her first appearance as the special director, with Takanori Takeyama as the director's assistant and Saori Masuda as the secretary.
The request came from a 63-year-old man in Niigata Prefecture. The large mochi-making machine in his home was manufactured by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and was purchased about 40 years ago by his father, who loved making mochi. After his father's health deteriorated, he stopped using it, and it has been left untouched since his father passed away 12 years ago.
While his father was alive, this machine supported them every New Year's. The sound of the mochi-making machine operating at the end of the year is very pleasant, and the man says he has never encountered mochi made with this machine that tastes better.
"Powerful stickiness" and "smooth texture." He believes that the soft yet firm texture of freshly made mochi can only be achieved with this machine. The man is nearing retirement and, when he has more free time, he wants to try making mochi with this machine himself, just like his father. He took a good look at it after a long time, but it's rusted and can't be operated. He is asking if it would be possible to revive this legendary machine so that he can once again enjoy that exquisite mochi.
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Director Maya was greeted with loud cheers of "Wow!" and "Yay!" She had a strong presence and read her address in a calm tone.
"Meeting you all today, I was surprised by your aura, or whatever you call it. You're so radiant. You're even more glamorous in person than on screen," she said, making a surprising statement. She also mentioned that she's been watching the show "since my time in the Takarazuka Revue," and that the "Chichiyasu episode" was particularly memorable for her.
At the time, a giant container of "Chichiyasu Yogurt" was rotating near Itami Airport as an advertisement, and it said, "The manufacturing date is written on the top lid." The request was to investigate whether that was actually the case. "I was always really curious about it, wondering, 'What's going on with that?' 'Does it even have a lid?'... It was incredibly fun," he recalled.
