Original subtitles

Adversity builds strength.

Adversity builds strength.

The person behind Seike is Seike Hiroko, right?

I'm home.

You're a journalist, right?

Do you have a picture of Seike Hiroko by any chance?

She is that lady...

Matsuyama city, Ehime

Anyway, it's eerie, isn't it?

I wonder what Hiroko went to your place for.

So, where's Hiroko now?

I found out that she had lived with Seike Ichiro in a condo near his high school during his high school days.

I see. Assuming Hiroko is involved in the accident with Seike Yoshikazu and Takechi Kazuhiro,

what about the accident with your father and Suzuki?

I believe Hiroko is involved in my father's accident.

What's your perspective?

It was the same when I suspected Suzuki as the suspect.

Hiroko knows that Prime Minister Habu and Minister Morohashi are involved in the Big Gulliver Incident,

and if that scandal were spread to the public, there's a high possibility that Seike Ichiro would fall from grace.

Hiroko wanted to prevent that, and my father who was investigating that incident was disturbing her.

So, everything she did was for her son's steady advancement...

What about Arisa's disappearance?

Based on the script she wrote, she seemed to have something to do with Hiroko.

It's full of mysteries.

So, what are you going to do?

I'll interview everybody who seems to know Hiroko one by one.

She is Seike's mother, right? I've met her a few times.

Do you know where she is now?

Sorry, I don't know.

What kind of relationship did Ichiro and Hiroko have?

They were very close mother and son.

She was so worried about Ichiro, and she moved to Tokyo and lived with him after he entered university.

What? Did they live together in Tokyo too?

Yes, I think I heard so.

His university days Living with Hiroko in Tokyo

In his book, the reason he aspired to become a politician was because he was told about his father, Wadajima, by his mother.

Do you think the influence of his mother was significant?

I think so.

However, I heard that the reason he aspired to become a politician was because of his grandmother.

His grandmother?

However, he didn't mention his grandmother at all in his book.

He was indeed very close to his grandmother.

He was depressed for a while when his grandmother passed away when he was at university.

Ah yes, because Suzuki was worried about Ichiro, he left early and went all the way to Ainan-cho to see Ichiro.

Did Suzuki visit Ichiro's parents' house?

Do you mean Suzuki has known Seike's mother since then?

There's no doubt. Because Suzuki seemed to visit Seike's condo often.

I don't know almost anything about his mother.

Why did Suzuki lie to me?

There's something between Suzuki and Hiroko.

Could it be that they're connected?

Laughing Matryoshka (Warau Matryoshka)

Regarding the Project Team for the Reform of the Foster Care System

This is a necessary reform. I'm counting on you.

Minister Seike considered the reform of the Foster Care System and established the project team

However, why did that accident happen?

I'd been staying up for several days straight and was at my limit.

And you fell asleep while driving, right?

That's right.

The victim...Michiue? I feel really sorry for him.

Ah, Kurose, do you know her?

She is beautiful.

Don't you know her?

I haven't been involved with women for a long time.

Come on!

Do you know him?

By the way, how much will you pay me for this interview?

Give me at least 50,000 yen. I want to go to the hostess bar.

Michiue, that's why I told you not to come with me.

It's my specialty to handle a scum like him.

If I can engage him well, I can extract some info from him.

Please leave him to me.

Please.

So, what are you going to do?

I'm sure Suzuki is hiding something.

Since Hiroko is missing, Suzuki is the key person.

Be careful. We still don't know anything about Suzuki's true nature.

I went to Ehime and investigated Seike Hiroko.

I see.

I couldn't find her whereabouts.

But I found out that her ex-husband, Seike Yoshikazu, died in a traffic accident.

Both Council Takechi and my father also died in a traffic accident.

And Suzuki, you experienced the same thing.

What do you think about that?

I'll investigate more by myself.

By the way, did Arisa and Hiroko know each other?

I don't know.

Do you know anything about Seike's grandmother?

No.

Of course, not, since you've never been to Seike's parents' place, right?

That's right.

Thank you.

Suzuki left early and went all the way to Ainan-cho to see Ichiro.

Year 1996, a 2nd-year of high school, Ainan-cho, Ehime

Toshiya!

Thank you for coming all the way here.

I'm sorry for your loss.

My grandmother had been through blood, sweat, and tears.

This is it.

I'm home.

Hello.

Toshiya,

Thank you for coming.

I'll bring cold drinks.

Ichiro, please go to bed. It's late already. Otherwise, you'd catch a cold.

All right.

Toshiya, good night.

Hey, wait!

He talks nothing but you at home.

Thank you for getting along with Ichiro.

My mother had been through blood, sweat, and tears.

However, she peacefully passed away in the end.

It was a saving grace for Ichiro and me.

Toshiya, thank you.

Ichiro doesn't have anyone he can truly rely on.

So, I think you and some other friends' presence is really important for him.

Have you heard about his dream?

I can tell how special you are to Ichiro just by that.

Toshiya, please help him.

Toshiya, you should go to bed too.

Regarding the expansion of the Foster Care System that I've mentioned to you before,

The Project Team that I established earlier has formulated "The Comprehensive Vision for Future Children" that aims at getting more budget.

In addition, this Vision Project includes a policy to support foreign children,

who need social care but face difficulty due to language and cultural differences.

What do you think that some say there're many other priorities for the use of the budget of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare than supporting foreign children?

I believe it's crucial to help children who are currently suffering from difficulties in front of us.

I think we should deal with it regardless of the nationality.

Forceful It must be Minister Seike's own decision

Why do we have to support foreigners? I don't think there's not enough money for that in Japan right now

Well...Take care of Japanese kids before foreigners

Why did Seike's mother come here and now you're searching for her?

Isn't it about time you tell me?

Sorry, but I can't say anything because I haven't got the full details yet.

All right...

Hey, do a mother's thoughts influence her child?

I think so. Look, Yu is clearly your child no matter how you look at it, right?

You and Kanae are clearly a mother and a daughter no matter how you look at it.

Stop it, I'm not that boorish.

That's my line!

Boorish, stubborn, and careless...You're the same.

Rinrin, that's enough.

I can't clearly understand Seike Ichiro's true intentions even though I saw his policies.

Thanks to you, I was able to take good pictures.

When will this scandal be released?

The next issue. This will be a big scandal.

This is it.

How's your investigation going?

I've been going to nightclubs in Tokyo, but so far nobody knows about Hiroko.

Well, I don't think there's anybody who remembers a hostess from 40 years ago.

I agree.

Come in.

Your desk is over there.

Thank you.

It's a nice space, isn't it?

It's nice, isn't it?

Connected?

So, what do you think of this office?

What? Do you smell something bad? It's an old building...

You told me that Seike may have sent this thesis to you by himself, right?

Do you still think so?

Seike's dormitory is indeed located in Akasaka.

I'm keeping an eye on you too.

I still sense an SOS signal from him.

However, something is bothering me.

You sent me this, right?

If it wasn't Seike, who sent this thesis to me for what?

If you think it straightforwardly, it's an anonymous accusation.

Hey, before discussing that, there may be something to say, right?

Ah, did you have a haircut?

No! I want to know what you think of this office!

Our company has finally started!

Show more excitement and praise me!

I see...Wow, it's a nice office.

That's enough.

I'm sorry.

Regarding the expansion of the Foster Care System that I've mentioned to you before,

The Project Team that I established earlier has formulated "The Comprehensive Vision for Future Children" that aims at getting more budget.

The expansion of the Foster Care System? It's something you suggested to Seike, right?

Yes.

The relative foster care system has low awareness in Japan.

With the power of being a minister, he can make things like this happen...

At first, I was pleased initially to see my suggestion was realized so quickly.

However, to be honest, I have mixed feelings about it now.

If I've suggested the wrong idea to him...

He is influenced easily, and he also has the power to make things happen.

And I'm concerned...

In addition, this Vision Project includes a policy to support foreign children,

who need social care but face difficulty due to language and cultural differences.

This statement has become the subject of criticism, right?

This isn't my suggestion.

Don't you think it's abrupt?

Why did he suddenly bring the subject about foreign children?

So, was he influenced this part by someone other than you?

Hello.

Oh, welcome!

This is a gift for you.

Thank you.

What do you think of this office?

By the way, I heard from a friend in the Political Department,

By the way?

He said that Chief Cabinet Secretary Takamura's scandal will be published in the weekly magazine the day after tomorrow.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Takamura is suspected of assault at a fancy nightclub in Ginza.

He was extremely drunk and behaved violently to a woman.

It's terrible.

His resignation seems certain.

And it seems that Seike Ichiro will be a possible successor.

Will Seike Ichiro be Chief Cabinet Secretary?!

That's not good.

The man who may be manipulated by someone who commits crimes, supports Hitler, and has dangerous ideologies is going to gain more power.

We have to take measures.

I'll monitor Suzuki for 24 hours. He may contact with Hiroko.

That's the only option.

Aoyama, can you extract all of Seike's past articles from the Toto Shimbun database?

Ainan-cho, Ehime

Chief Cabinet Secretary Takamura admitted the details of the article and submitted his resignation this morning.

It's regarded as a dismissal.

I take the responsibility for appointing him very seriously.

The administration officials believe that the successor needs to have a clean image and the power to overcome difficulties.

Most likely, Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare Seike will be chosen.

If Minister Seike becomes Chief Cabinet Secretary, he'll be the 2nd youngest one ever.

Honestly, I prefer Minister Seike

On a roll, he may be the youngest Prime Minister

Everybody is so carefree...

They don't know what kind of person Seike really is.

Is she Suzuki's wife?

It seems like so...

I'll leave the monitoring of Suzuki to you.

Have you discussed anything with Prime Minister about the future?

We talked about overcoming this difficult time together.

Do you think you'll be the next Chief Cabinet Secretary?

Right now, I do everything I can as Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Do you mean there hasn't been a specific discussion with Prime Minister yet?

Not at all.

4F, Shin-Nihon Shimbun Media Production

An affiliated company of the Shin-Nihon Simbun...

5 years ago

I see.

I'm currently in the process of asking my boss to let me write that article.

What about the Shin-Nihon Shimbun?

We're government-oriented, so it's hard to get permission to write critical articles.

Regarding that point, I envy the Toto Shimbun.

Did she know me?

I've done laying the groundwork with various parties. Don't worry.

I'll make you Chief Cabinet Secretary no matter what.

Suzuki, regarding the Foster Care System that Minister Seike is proceeding with...

Are we okay to proceed further?

Yes. Let him do as he wishes.

If he becomes Chief Cabinet Secretary, those who oppose him will be quiet.

Hello?

It's a nice article. Thank you.

Thanks for the info you provided me.

Please let me know if you have any other interesting stories.

Definitely. I'll let you know.

Suzuki Yuki,

You're a journalist, right?

Can I talk to you for a moment?

Regarding the proposal from you the other day, I've already let my staff investigate it, and I'm planning to establish a council soon.

That's Seike. You act quickly.

Thank you.

Thank you for coming.

Do you think I can become Chief Cabinet Secretary?

We've done everything we could.

Now, all we can do is pray.

I can't clearly understand Seike Ichiro's true intentions even though I saw his policies.

We need to cool down and judge if Minister Seike is truly suitable to be Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Welcome back.

Nice to be home.

Hello.

What's going on?

You know this thesis, right?

The dual structure of power in Nazism Analysis regarding Erik Jan Hanussen

This is the thesis that Seike wrote when he was a student.

This was sent to me anonymously.

However, I finally found out the sender.

It's your wife, Yuki.

The postmark was from Akasaka.

Akasaka

It's you who sent this thesis to me, right?

I believe that someone behind Seike tried to kill Suzuki.

And that person may have killed at least 3 people in the past.

Please tell me everything you know.

It's for protecting your husband.

Can you tell me the name of the person who is behind Seike?

I believe it's Seike's mother, Seike Hiroko.

Right after my husband had the accident, he seemed to have a nightmare.

I'll be killed...Hiroko will kill me...

Hiroko will kill me?

Now, it all makes sense.

I sent the thesis to you.

This thesis is sent to my husband.

There was no sender's name.

I had a bad feeling about this.

The dual structure of power in Nazism Analysis regarding Erik Jan Hanussen

University of Waseno, Department of Political Economy 1831816, Seike Ichiro

I was convinced when I read the thesis that there was someone behind Minister Seike, just like Hunussen who manipulated Hitler.

I've met Minister Seike several times before.

I felt uncomfortable with him.

Felt uncomfortable?

He lacked initiative or something like that.

I thought Seike's Hanussen sent this thesis to my husband.

Why did Hanussen send it to Suzuki?

It's to make his presence known to my husband.

I'm behind Minister Seike, I'm his Hanussen.

It's crazy that someone who seems to be manipulated by someone becomes a politician and influences the country.

I can't write articles freely as long as working at the Shin-Nihon Shimbun which is government-oriented.

That's why I sent it to you.

I felt you were a journalist with guts who wouldn't give up fighting against enemies when we talked together.

I thought you would be able to figure him out.

When the envelope arrived at my house, the postmark was Ainan-cho, Ehime.

Ainan-cho?

It's Minister Seike's hometown.

I believe Hiroko who is Minister Seike's mother and behind him sent this thesis to my husband.

Why didn't you tell me about the thesis?

I thought you'd be upset.

That's what the sender intended, right?

Yuki used anonymity because if they found out the accuser was the wife of Minister Seike's secretary, it'd cause you trouble.

However, after you were involved in a traffic accident and I was confused about what to do, Michiue came to see me.

I thought I could trust her.

So, I told her everything I knew.

Suzuki, why do you work as a politician's secretary? It'd be natural for you to resent politicians since your father was unjustly arrested.

At first, I thought you were planning something out of a sense of revenge.

I believe you were involved in my father's death.

But I'm wrong, right?

Year 1995, a 1st-year of high school, Matsuyama City, Ehime

Hey, do you both have dreams for the future?

I've had a dream ever since I can remember.

What's with that sudden question?

When I was little, my mother told me not to talk about my dream until I met friends I could trust.

What do you want to be?

I want to become a politician one day.

Why?

My father is a politician.

His name is Wadajima Yoshitaka.

He is Chief Cabinet Secretary, right?

I've never met him before.

He doesn't know I'm his son.

However, I'm proud of my father.

You'd dreamed of becoming a politician and controlling and improving this country by yourself since you were little.

However, your father's arrest shattered that dream.

So, you tried to fulfill your dream through Seike.

That's the reason to become Seike's secretary, right?

To tell you the truth, I wanted to become a politician too.

Have you heard about the Big Gulliver Incident?

Yes.

My father was arrested as a leader of that incident.

I see.

So, unlike Seike, I can't become a politician even though I wanted to.

You can become Seike's brain

It would be best if you used Seike to take your father's revenge.

With you, Seike will surely be reassuring.

Or rather, I don't think Seike can become a politician without you.

It's beneficial for both of you.

You're right.

I'll use Seike to take my father's revenge.

You've supported Seike all along as a friend and as a brain.

However, his mother was always behind Seike.

The real Hanussen isn't you. It's Seike Hiroko, right?

The real Hanussen isn't you. It's Seike Hiroko, right?

What basis are you saying such a thing?

I've picked up all of Seike's statements since he became a representative.

And I noticed that he had consistent thoughts.

I want to help people suffering from discrimination

Expansion of accepting foreign workers

East Asia

Fixing a relationship

Recommending granting foreigners the right to vote

Giving permanent residency to foreigners

Since becoming a politician, he's been making statements that show his support for the vulnerable and minorities.

It seems that he's received backlash from conservative groups for making statements prioritizing other countries over Japan.

Year 2019

Even though you're morally right, if your statements lean too much towards minorities, you do nothing but increase enemies.

Please don't misjudge public opinion.

I became a politician for this.

Do you remember when we watched the movie "Suna no Utsuwa (Inspector Imanishi Investigates)"?

What's the politician for if they don't intend to light up on those in the shadow?

Don't worry, we're doing the right things.

History will prove it someday.

Are you saying his behavior like that was influenced by his mother?

Please check this.

This is Seike's graduation yearbook when he was in elementary school.

My wish

I want to eliminate discrimination

I want to protect the rights of vulnerable people

He's been saying the same things even before he met you.

It's still the same now.

In addition, this Vision Project includes a policy to support foreign children.

There's always Hiroko behind Seike.

If he aims at becoming a politician, he has to be elected as the student council president first.

The title of student council president at Fukuin High School will increase his prestige.

The student council president...

Hello.

Suzuki, you lied to me.

You said you'd never been to Seike's parents' place.

However, I felt like there was something between Hiroko and you.

I'd been suspecting you still kept in touch with Hiroko.

But it seems I'm wrong.

Maybe you were being used by Hiroko, weren't you?

Toshiya, please help him.

I want you to break up their relationship.

You're the only person I can rely on.

Why does Ichiro's mother allow Suzuki to be involved with Ichiro?

Just like she hates me, she doesn't allow anyone other than herself to control Ichiro.

What's your point?

I want to say that his mother must be controlling you too.

Ah, both of you are here.

Since you're here, let's have lunch together.

I'm good. I'm going to the movie with Ichiro.

Please enjoy yourselves together.

I'm going too.

Wait.

I want you to break up their relationship.

I'm relying on you, Toshiya.

Hey, please wait!

Please break up with Seike.

Why are you so desperate?

I won't break up with him.

Isn't Hiroko involved in Manaka Arisa's disappearance too?

Since Hiroko was living with Seike when he was in university, she should've known Arisa who was then using the name Miwako.

Arisa tried to take Seike away from Hiroko and manipulate him.

That's why Arisa was eliminated by Hiroko or you whom Hiroko asked to do that.

What have you done to Miwako?

What are you talking about?

Don't play dumb! I couldn't reach her suddenly. That's strange, isn't it?

Calm down. I have no idea. Isn't she home?

I've never been to her place. She said her room was messy.

I can't trust you anymore.

Why not?

It's obvious, isn't it?

You hurt the person I love and told me nothing but to break up with her.

You drove me crazy.

Why do you interfere so much in my life?

Miyoshi

Miyoshi! It's Suzuki.

Miyoshi?

I went to her university to confirm, but it seems there's no student named Miyoshi Miwako.

I see.

She was such a strange girl.

But I'm glad she's gone.

I'm not involved in Miwako, or should I say Arisa's disappearance.

If that's the case, Hiroko must be...

It was Hiroko who tried to kill you, right?

Suzuki, would you like to team up with me?

Seike's support for Hitler which we can recognize in this thesis is likely influenced by Hiroko.

She doesn't hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve her goals.

We must prevent Seike who is being manipulated by that kind of mother from becoming Chief Cabinet Secretary.

There's no way we should give him any more power.

With your help, we may be able to uncover what she's done and eliminate her from Seike.

Now is a good time to do that since you're very close to Seike.

As you guessed, Hiroko had been manipulating Ichiro.

She is involved in Arisa's disappearance.

I'm sure there was a time when I was also being used by her.

But now it's different.

When Seike decided to run for the election, I'd already cut ties with her.

I don't know what connection she currently has with Ichiro.

But I'm the one who guided Ichiro this far.

Her influence is insignificant.

I don't agree with you. Even now...

I've been with him all along!

Seike needs me. There's no chance to cut in for Hiroko.

You're insane. Why are you persistent with Seike so much?

I want to witness my friend at the top of this country with my own eyes!

I'll make it happen.

If I'm with him, he'll definitely become the top of this country.

Darling...

Please leave now.

I'm sorry. I was out of my mind.

My mother scolded me for making you sad.

Please make me become a politician by the time I turn 27.

I won't be naive anymore. I'll do everything properly.

So, please support me.

Seike Ichiro is mine.

Seike liked your post

Please keep an eye on me.

I'm keeping an eye on you too.

Hello?

Michiue, something serious has happened.

What happened?

Kurose, the perpetrator of your father's accident, died.

They say he committed suicide, but I doubt it.

Could it be...

Yes, he was killed because we reached him.

Next episode

Seike Hiroko...

(Wadajima) Yoshitaka, Ichiro looks just like you.

We've finally made it this far.

What does Hiroko intend to do to this country by letting Ichiro have power?

This is...