The Journalist (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

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.

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