Kimutaku gets a bit of advice from Koizumi's crony

Fuji TV started its political drama “CHANGE” in May, featuring SMAP star Takuya Kimura, popularly known as “Kimutaku,” as a teacher who becomes prime minister. Fuji has not been good at producing political dramas for a long time. What makes it possible for them to produce this political drama can be seen in the credits at the end of the drama: Supervisor Isao Iijima.

Iijima was a private secretary for former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and worked with him and the cabinet for nearly six years. He is known among media professionals as a producer of the so-called “Koizumi Theater,” controlling media of any kind. He is now believed to have “broken up” with Koizumi since Koizumi supported Fukuda, whom he does not like.

What do politicians think of the drama? “Kimutaku always has bad hair. He keeps it like a lion’s mane,” said one. Another remarked that “SMAP’s ‘Lion Heart’ is used as background music in the drama, which is Koizumi’s favorite.”

One politician says, “The scene in which Kimutaku blocks the government’s appeal to a higher court over a dam construction is quite similar to what Koizumi did in a legal case on leprosy patients, which resulted in an increase in public support for him.”

“I think Iijima is using the drama and a Koizumi-style leader to keep the former PM in the public’s mind so that he can ease back into mainstream politics or even launch a new political party,” says a DPJ official.

A spokesperson for Fuji TV says, “Mr Iijima supervises the drama to make sure the political jargon and settings are correct. The story is written by other writers and producers. Hence, we don’t ask him for any direction on the story itself.”

Iijima was reluctant to talk about his involvement in the drama, saying, “I don’t give interviews on that sort of thing. Sorry.”

One LDP insider says that Iijima’s close relationship with Koizumi is still ongoing: “Last year, Iijima quit Koizumi’s office, but he still keeps in touch with the office staff.”

Although the drama’s ratings are not going well, audiences may enjoy the hidden story behind the drama. (Translated by Taro Fujimoto)

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3 Comments

Betting at 12:11 AM JST - 21st June

It's a pretty typical Kimutak drama, but that makes it pretty good. I honestly can't stand SMAP, none of them can sing or dance, but Kim does make a pretty good actor. Nothing too deep, but very entertaining which is exactly how I like a drama to be.
Pukey2 at 07:06 PM JST - 21st June

Although the drama’s ratings are not going well,

The key phrase.
stanoue at 09:34 PM JST - 2nd July

Yeah I could watch Kimutaku act for hours.... him and Matsumoto Jun, so much more attractive when acting.