Matsuda of Touto News.
The public's attention has been drawn by recent rumors
of an incumbent minister receiving payments
in return for doing favors for a certain construction company.
Keep your questions brief.
The minister contends that his secretary did it.
Are you sure it wasn't done on the minister's orders?
Please get to the point.
The prime minister cannot avoid being held indirectly responsible.
What is the government's position on this?
That is for the prime minister to decide.
FREEDOM OF PRESS DETERIORATES JAPAN RANKED 72ND, LOWEST IN G7
Report, position A.
Passengers are leaving soon.
TERMINAL 2, NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Suspect has just left the gate.
Suspect passing position C now.
Matsuda of Touto News.
I'd like to ask another question related to corruption in politics.
It was recently revealed
there was a misuse of funds from the 2011 Earthquake Recovery Package.
Keep your questions brief.
PLANS FOR EISHIN ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (TBC)
What do you think?
FINANCE BUREAU DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
EISHIN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION
JUNE 2017: LECTURE AND TOUR BY FIRST LADY
The First Lady's thoughts?
She'd like it to go ahead officially.
She knows the waste issue still hasn't been resolved.
But she says herself that the size and suitability of the site is perfect.
I'll need some time.
I'll run this past the Chubu Local Finance Bureau.
Director-General, please have a look at this.
SHINICHI MURAKAMI
What's this?
Please consider it a priority for your office.
DEDUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 1.222 BILLION YEN
Surely, this deduction is far too much.
It's the prime minister's wish.
Suspect soon arriving at the target location.
-Yes? -The arrest of Toyoda was called off.
What?
It was reported that large contributions were paid
by a corporation that benefited from the project.
What is the government's response?
That is currently under investigation.
The next question will be the last.
Matsuda of Touto News.
What? Why now?
At any rate, do as you're ordered. Understand?
-We're moving in. -Wait.
-The arrest was called off. -Why? He'll get away!
How should I know? The brass said to let him go.
Let him go? This is a ten-billion-yen fraud case!
I appreciate your cooperation.
Matsuda of Touto News.
So I can assume that the results of the investigation will be made public?
Rather than just releasing information favorable to the government,
I'd like to see impartial information released.
This press conference is not for you to air your opinions.
I'm back.
-Welcome back. -Welcome back.
-Thanks. -Ryo.
-Yes? -Look at this.
Another case of corruption.
They said he took bribes.
-Oh, I see. -Is that any way to react?
You'll start job hunting soon, you know.
Start showing some interest in social issues.
The future depends on you guys, the young people.
Give me a break. That's asking too much.
Asking too much?
You've at least got to read the paper.
Not a single young person nowadays reads the paper.
We've got smartphones.
That's the trouble with young people nowadays.
Don't be ridiculous.
You can do anything with smartphones nowadays.
Exactly.
-Right? -What?
-See? -I'm back.
-Hi. -Welcome back.
-Good morning. -Can you believe this, Mayu?
Ryo doesn't read the paper even though he works here.
Really?
What? You read it?
You'd better believe it.
How can you deliver it every day and not be interested in it?
But nobody I know reads it.
Who cares what other people do?
It's a waste of time to deliver newspapers without knowing what's in them.
Well put!
-Be more like Mayu. -That was a nice scolding.
-I'm leaving. -Are you mad, Ryo?
No, I'm not.
-Here. Have a tangerine. -Thank you.
-Are you mad? -No, I'm not mad. Bye.
Don't get mad.
DUBIOUS DOCUMENTS UNPROVEN EXISTENCE
SHINJIRO TOYODA
SHINJIRO TOYODA REVEALS PM'S PRIVATE TRUE NATURE
SHINPO AGENCY HEAD OFFICE
Mr. Toyoda. Anna Matsuda of Touto News.
May I have a moment?
You again?
I told you I have nothing more to say.
The allegations haven't been cleared.
As a special advisor to the Cabinet,
you were deeply involved in AI tech development, weren't you?
The Ministry of Economy provided unusually large subsidies for it.
Were you aware of this?
There's even a report that an arrest warrant has been issued.
Answer me.
When will you stop covering dead stories?
You shouldn't let feelings affect your work.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
CITY DESK, TOUTO NEWS
-Ms. Matsuda. Good morning. -Good morning.
Ms. Matsuda, did you read the local news in the Maicho?
Not yet. Is something there?
This was there.
"Public land sold cheap. Links to PM?"
FIRST LADY NAMED HONORARY PRINCIPAL
Everyone. Gather round.
-You read the Maicho article, right? -Yes.
This here. It became an issue because the Chubu Local Finance Bureau
didn't disclose the price that this public land was sold at.
This means that public land that had gone unsold for ages
was sold for a discount at the direction of the First Lady?
-Right. -Usually, it's unheard of to sell
at one-tenth the appraised value. Why did they do that?
Obviously, they'd sell it at one-tenth the price.
What?
PUBLIC LAND SOLD CHEAP LINKS TO PM?
They're friends.
We'll pursue this story too. Matsuda, you'll do it, right?
I'm still working on the Toyoda fraud case.
I'd like you to take a break from that for a while.
No point in pursuing an unpublishable story.
Sato and Yashiro, you assist.
I'm counting on you. Got it?
-Yes, sir. -Got it.
If this turns out to be true, that's a huge breach of trust.
I mean, what are they even building a school for?
Since it's obviously a cover-up, how will they explain it away?
They've got people who will handle it for them.
Come in.
Excuse me.
-Murakami. -Yes?
This Eishin Academy affair…
Were you the one who instructed the Ministry of Finance?
Yes.
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRIME MINISTER
This has created some trouble.
This is sure to cause the press and opposition to pressure us.
-I'm sorry. -No. It's not your fault.
You were only doing what you were told.
However,
this is sure to become a thorn in the side of this administration.
What's important is to make sure this doesn't become a bigger issue.
Yes, I understand that.
I'll contact the Ministry of Finance too.
If the press happen to ask you anything about it, don't talk to them.
I won't.
Excuse me.
NAGOYA, AICHI PREFECTURE
MAIN OFFICE, CHUBU LOCAL FINANCE BUREAU
I'm Kazuya Suzuki. I was assigned here starting today.
Before, I worked with Supervisor Kurosaki at the Shizuoka Local Finance Office.
I will make use of my experience to fulfill my duties
here at the Chubu Local Finance Bureau.
He's a hard-working and talented guy. Give him a warm welcome.
-Yes, sir. -Nice to meet you.
They're all pretty busy.
-Sorry about this. -It's okay. I understand the situation.
Your wife must have been shocked at the sudden transfer.
A bit. But she was happy when she heard about the benefits.
I see.
Let me give you a quick tour.
Okay.
-Sato. -Yes?
Can you make a list of the relevant departments
at the Chubu Local Finance Bureau?
Sure thing.
I guess being so close to the action, you have unique insights.
That's true.
I really doubt that anyone else could reveal as much as me.
What's with this guy anyway?
He's an exec at a PR firm and a special advisor to the Cabinet.
I wonder what he's scheming.
THE DEEP SECRETS OF THE AI FRAUD A BEHIND-THE-SCENES POLITICAL BROKER
CASE CLOSED BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED
-He probably wants to be a politician. -I see.
Ms. Matsuda, you've been chasing that guy for a long time, haven't you?
You know him?
What?
No.
Really?
I sure hope you get to the bottom
of that AI fraud story.
WHY DID PM'S FRIENDS ESCAPE ARREST?
SECRET HONEYMOON WITH SLT
We are Singularity Lab Technologies or SLT.
Let me explain what our name means.
Technological singularity
is when technological advances outpace human evolution.
So our company…
I am totally exhausted.
I guess this is what it means to be an adult.
-What are you on about? -It just feels weird.
Everyone's dressed the same way.
Since you deliver newspapers, I thought you were the type
who's into this kind of thing.
Hardly. I only do it because I have to for the scholarship money.
-Is that right? -I don't even read it.
Seriously? Talk about uninformed! You're supposed to be job hunting.
Can't I just read it online?
No way. That stuff's no good. The Internet is nothing but fake news.
Talk about socially illiterate.
You sure have changed.
In your freshman year, all you did was talk about girls.
Well, now I'm prepping to join the ranks of adult society.
What does that even mean?
-Let's go to a café. -A café?
Here's a great one.
Masato Ono.
Prime Minister, you said it doesn't concern you and brushed it off,
but your name and the First Lady's name
have come up in relation
to the establishment of this school several times.
I highly doubt the public will be satisfied with that explanation.
ASSISTANT TO THE FIRST LADY
Prime Minister!
Can you categorically deny that you had influence in this matter?
THE FIVE BUREAUCRATS WHO SUPPORT THE FIRST LADY
Mr. Prime Minister.
PHOTO OF FIRST LADY'S ASSISTANTS SHINICHI MURAKAMI
I can definitively state
that there is absolutely no truth to the claims that I was involved in
the sale of the land or the approval of the sale.
If I or my wife were involved in this in any way,
then of course
I will step down as prime minister and resign from the National Diet.
Well said, Prime Minister!
KITAMURA
Hello?
Hi. Did you hear what the PM said?
-Yes. -What do you think?
That last part, he clearly ignored the statement that was prepared for him.
I think he was speaking using his own words.
If he turns out to be lying,
this could cause his administration's downfall.
That's right.
I need to finish some research here in Tokyo.
But after that, I'll travel to Nagoya
and get info from those close to the Chubu Local Finance Bureau.
Got it.
Goodbye.
I wasn't expecting that.
I wish he'd stick to the script.
At any rate, put a muzzle on everyone involved.
We can't have them talk about this.
Certainly. I'll take care of it right away.
-Murakami. -Yes?
I doubt we can keep what the Ministry of Finance knows under wraps.
Right.
I want you to tell Finance Bureau Director-General Mouri about this.
Yes, sir.
The Prime Minister's Office has had nothing to do with this affair.
But I negotiated the deal with the Ministry of Finance.
I know that!
I know, but…
if we don't make his statements the truth, the problem will only grow larger.
I'm counting on you.
I'm home.
Welcome home.
I'm home. What a nice smell!
It's not quite ready. Why don't you take a bath first?
I'm starving. I'd rather eat first.
Fine. Hold on a minute.
Is Mr. Kurosaki doing well?
Yes. The same as ever.
He's a veteran I can always rely on.
I'm glad to hear it.
But don't push yourself too hard and overdo it.
You bet I'll push myself.
We national civil servants work for the people of this country.
We need to work the hardest during hard days.
You have always been proud of doing your utmost for the people.
That's right.
It's Mr. Kurosaki.
Hello?
Yes, it's okay. What is it?
Okay.
Now?
No, it's all right.
All right. Okay, bye.
I'm sorry, Mayumi. He wants me back there immediately.
Really? Now?
Yes. But since it's Mr. Kurosaki asking, I should go.
Okay. Tell Mr. Kurosaki I said hello.
Sure.
-Take care. -I'll be home soon.
Mr. Kurosaki. Good evening.
Sorry to call you here so suddenly.
It's okay. What is it?
There have been some problems.
Does this have something to do with that public land?
Here. Follow me.
Good evening.
-Good evening. -Good evening.
This way, please.
This is Finance Bureau Director-General Mouri.
Sit.
Since he's come all the way from Tokyo, you must realize how important this is.
Everyone, you're all aware of the Eishin Academy affair, right?
-Yes. -Good.
The prime minister is busy with his official duties,
so to be honest, he hasn't had time to familiarize himself with the facts.
There are some records here whose existence is rather awkward.
They don't match what was said in parliamentary questions.
Excuse me. I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.
The records must be revised
to match what was said in parliamentary question time.
Mr. Kurosaki will give you detailed instructions.
Thank you. Good night.
Mr. Kurosaki.
Did he just order us to
fabricate documents?
I'm home.
Welcome back. What did Mr. Kurosaki want?
It's not that big of a deal.
You must want dinner.
No, it's okay.
-I'll take a bath. -Okay.
What are you drawing, Hayato? Show me.
-Look, Daddy. I can draw this now. -Let me see.
That's amazing, Hayato!
I can draw that, too, you know.
Look.
Yes. You're a good artist too.
-Yay! -Will you need dinner tonight?
I'll be home late, so it's all right. Thank you.
Okay.
-Shinichi. -Yes?
I saw the news on TV today about that academy. Are things all right?
That? No problem at all. The press is just making a fuss over it.
I'm glad to hear it.
The other mothers at school love that kind of gossip.
I didn't want them asking me about it.
I told you, it's fine.
Just ignore them when they ask.
-You know I can't do that. -No!
Hey, you two! Cut that out!
No fighting. What? This?
You're fighting over this?
-I've got to get back to work. -Okay.
-Sleep well. Good night. -Daddy's got to go. Bye.
-Bye. -Excuse me.
Are you Mr. Murakami, assistant to the First Lady?
-What do you want? -I'm Anna Matsuda from Touto News.
Can I have a moment of your time?
I don't have anything to say.
It's about the Eishin Academy affair.
Wasn't the PM's statement to the Diet the other day an unexpected one for you?
Hold on here.
On what grounds can you make a claim like that?
It's been indicated that the First Lady was involved.
Excuse me, but I need to go.
JUNPEI KIJIMA
DIRECTORY OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
TADASHI KUROSAKI
Dang, I'm never going to finish. I'll be here all night.
What? No way! Let's hurry up and finish this.
Okay.
-Mr. Sato. -Yes?
What do you think of Ms. Matsuda?
Why do you ask?
She's not on the politics desk,
but she asks questions at the PM's press conferences.
And she doesn't give a darn when people bash her online.
I could never put up with that stuff.
She's a tough woman psychologically.
She's got tons of enemies, but she's serious about her work.
I end up doing what she asks me to do.
Yes, I know what you mean.
But I heard that she used to be so meek, she was like a different person.
Really?
When she started, she cried when she interviewed bereaved families.
SHINICHI MURAKAMI
SHINICHI MURAKAMI DURING WORK
I can't even imagine her like that.
Something must have changed her.
Okay, I'm heading out.
-Later. -Bye.
-Take care. -I will.
Ryo, you look dead inside.
Cut it out. I've always looked like this.
So, Ryo, are you job hunting?
Yes.
-Basically. -What is that supposed to mean?
Set goals for yourself, would you?
Yes, I know.
I don't really have any goals.
People like us, we start out at a disadvantage, you know.
If you don't get serious, you'll blow it.
A tongue lashing first thing in the morning, right, Ryo?
Okay, I'll be heading out too.
-Later. -See you later.
You know, I was thinking of reading the paper.
But I don't know where to start. It's so totally hard to read.
First,
go over all the headlines once.
Okay.
Then read the articles that interest you carefully.
Really?
What's this?
"Eishin Academy Scandal…"
I can't believe you don't even know about that.
-I'm going. -Bye.
"PM vows to resign and leave the Diet."
Really?
"Nagoya"?
NAGOYA FINANCE BUREAU OFFICE GIVES HUGE DISCOUNT ON PUBLIC LAND SALE
"Chief director of the school…"
-Good morning. -Morning.
KAZUHIRO ADACHI
RECORDS OF EISHIN NEGOTIATIONS
PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT EISHIN ACADEMY RELATED
EISHIN ACADEMY TRANSACTIONS
-Okay. I'm counting on you. -But this is…
Don't think about it too much.
Mr. Kurosaki.
This is…
fabrication of documents.
Mr. Kurosaki.
You're just doing your job as a civil servant.
But this is wrong!
Suzuki.
These were orders from above. It's your job--
-Covering up evidence is my job? -That's right!
What will you do if this gets out?
I'll take full responsibility for it!
Come get me when you're done.
-Morning. -Good morning.
LOCAL FINANCE BUREAU 2016
KAZUHIRO ADACHI
OVERVIEW OF EISHIN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION
As you have seen, the budget committee meeting has become quite stormy.
Questioning by the opposition has grown fiercer
as they demand explanations for the sale of public land
and about the relationship between the PM and Eishin Academy.
Due to this issue, the Eishin issue,
the parliamentary question time has grown quite heated.
-Mr. Toyoda… -Good morning.
-Thank you for this. -No problem.
Yes…
When the opposition comments on what the Eishin Academy's curriculum is
or says the school superintendent is to blame, they're missing the point.
That's not the problem.
The problem is what the school was trying to achieve
by using the names of the prime minister and the First Lady.
-Personally… -Yes?
Well, I have a close relationship with the prime minister and the First Lady.
I know the kind of people they are.
They're good people.
I can't help thinking that Eishin Academy is taking advantage of their kind nature…
In other words, it's not an issue
with the PM or the First Lady, but with Eishin.
That's what I believe.
I understand that as a former special advisor to the Cabinet,
you have an up-close view of the prime minister and would think that.
I don't feel I'm bringing my personal feelings into this.
There hasn't been any proof, right?
I think it's a waste of taxpayer's money to continue investigating this.
EISHIN ACADEMY SIGNS LEASE WITH GOVERNMENT FOR PUBLIC LAND IN 2017
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EISHIN ACADEMY SCANDAL
-You reading net news again? -Yes.
You sure love that stuff.
-No. I don't like it. -Okay, let's begin.
TRANSFERRED TO CHUBU LOCAL FINANCE BUREAU FEB. 4 THIS YEAR.
(USUALLY OCCURS IN JULY)
NOTICE OF FEBRUARY TRANSFER
KAZUYA SUZUKI
Hello?
Got it. I'll be right there.
This is a question a lot of our citizens have.
Shouldn't the prime minister himself head an investigation
looking into why this kind of thing has happened?
-That's right! -Nonsense!
-Order! -Got it.
-I'll be waiting. -Mr. Prime Minister.
It's exactly as the Minister of Finance just said.
The opposition is getting desperate.
HISASHI NAKAGAWA SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRIME MINISTER
Are you sure you haven't been followed by reporters?
No, I haven't.
Demands for Mr. Mouri to testify are growing stronger.
It's only a matter of time before your name comes up in the Diet.
What will happen to me?
We've been discussing how to deal with you.
To be on the safe side,
I'd like you to keep a low profile for the time being.
You are off First Lady duty.
We'll have you do other work.
Come in.
Excuse me.
This is Mr. Tada. He'll be your boss from today.
I expect you to do your best.
Nice to meet you.
Mr. Matsuda, it's going to be okay.
-10 cc diazepam. -Right.
Mr. Matsuda.
Mr. Matsuda, it's going to be okay.
Are you all right?
What is this place?
This is
the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.
The characters and events that appear in this work are fictitious
and do not depict real life.
Subtitle translation by: Brian Athey