Unsolved Case File.10 "Shimoyama Incident" Interview with Mirai Moriyama, the drama star April 1st 18:33

In July 1949 (Showa 24), during the occupation period, the president of the Japanese National Railways, Sadanori Shimoyama, suddenly disappeared and his corpse was found in the rubble, known as the Shimoyama Incident. This case, which had many unnatural features about the body and led to a huge controversy over suicide and murder theories, is said to be the largest unsolved case during the occupation, and even now, more than 70 years later, it is still shrouded in many mysteries. .

The NHK special "Series Unsolved Cases" broadcast on March 30th (Saturday) examines the descent incident in two parts: a drama and a documentary. It sheds new light on the mysteries of the incident, which many writers and journalists have tried to uncover, and on the ``darkness of Japan'' that continues to this day.

The drama depicts the days of Ken Fuse, the prosecutor who led the investigation as the chief prosecutor of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, fighting against the "huge darkness" and the behind-the-scenes of bizarre incidents.

The documentary covers the footsteps of the spies who disrupted the prosecutor's investigation, and uses new materials and testimonies to explore the superpower plots that unfolded behind the scenes.

How did actor Mirai Moriyama, who played Prosecutor Fuse in the drama, view the Shimoyama incident and the role of Prosecutor Fuse? I talked about my thoughts.

(NHK special reporting team)

《Q1. What were your impressions after seeing the completed work? 》

A1. Mirai Moriyama:

It was very similar to how I felt when I first read the script. Just when you think one question is solved, another mystery arises. I felt a sense of elation as I was drawn into the chain.

《Q2. Did you know about the “Shimoyama Incident”? 》

A2. The Shimoyama Incident was incorporated into an episode of Osamu Tezuka's manga, and I had a strong impression of it, but I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know much about the details. When I was first approached to appear in the film, I read the script without knowing much about the structure of the incident or the history and relationships between Japan, America, China, and the Soviet Union at the time, so there were many parts that I couldn't fully understand. is.

As I spoke with Director Kajiwara, who was in charge of the drama, Director Sano, who was in charge of documentaries, and Shinmei Producer, the overall picture gradually came to light, including what was newly revealed through the program's coverage. I heard that new information came out even during filming, which surprised me.

I also learned for the first time that the book I read to find out more about the incident was written along the lines of ``I can only write so far.'' Why can't I write everything? I think people who watch the program will understand this part.

《Q3. How did you perceive the character of Prosecutor Ken Fuse? Please tell us about the points you were conscious of when preparing for the role.

A3. To be honest, as I began to understand the whole picture of the Shimoyama Incident, I thought, ``I just want to go home now'' (lol). This is because, although I think it's a very interesting work when you watch the story as a viewer, it's too painful to step into the story as an actor and embody Mr. Fuse's experiences and thoughts.

I think there was an overwhelming dilemma that I couldn't solve even though I could see the answer. Actually, it was frustrating and painful to play.

I spoke with Mr. Fuse beforehand about his origins, work style, and personality, and I found out that he is so honest that some have said he is ``like a samurai,'' and his hobby is weeding. However, when it comes to an incident, he calmly and with keen insight cuts into the great power and darkness. It was extremely difficult to figure out how to express that balance as I developed the role.

Mr. Fuse continued to investigate the Shimoyama incident for many years even after the statute of limitations had expired. I imagine that Mr. Fuse's obsession with finding out the truth stems from his own various backgrounds, but I was conscious of not showing that information in the play.

《Q4. What did you feel about the Shimoyama Incident through this drama? 》

A4.I felt that various issues that could be considered the origins of today's world situation and the relationship between Japan and neighboring countries are intersecting in this Shimoyama Incident.

Nowadays, I think there are quite a lot of people who don't know about the Shimoyama Incident itself. Even if they know about it, there may be people who think it's the work of communists. But when you watch this program, you can see that not only the Shimoyama Incident but also various historical events are connected in one line, ``Ah, so this is the connection?'' Japan's behavior towards the United States. I think it will change the way we view the current situation in terms of choices and options.

In particular, I would like people to listen to what Mr. Fuse says in the scene at the end of the drama when Mr. Fuse and his boss Mr. Baba (Deputy Chief Prosecutor Yoshitsugu Baba of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office) confront each other.

In a society where many things are intricately intertwined, I believe that these words can reach all people about how we make decisions and act.

=Broadcast postscript=

The NHK Special Unsolved Cases series unearths unsolved cases that had a huge impact on Japan and still leaves vivid memories through new interviews, and creates dramas and documentaries based on the facts. This is a program that thoroughly examines the matter in two parts. So far, we have dealt with major historical incidents such as the Glico Morinaga Incident, the Lockheed Incident, and Aum Shinrikyo, and this is our 10th work.

In fact, many mysterious "unsolved cases" have occurred before and after this descent incident. I think this is due to the fact that the social structure was distorted and complex due to the occupation period under American rule and the post-war turmoil.

In the first place, this incident happened 75 years ago, so it may not be well known to the general public now.

However, in the past, famous writers and reporters continued to pursue the truth.

Author Seicho Matsumoto also wrote about the descent incident in his book ``Japan's Black Fog.'' By the way, at the time this work was released, the word "black fog" was so talked about that it became a social phenomenon. Kei Kumai, a film director and master of social films, also made a film called ``Japan's Hot Days: Murder and Descending Incident.'' In addition, some of Japan's most popular contemporary manga artists, such as Osamu Tezuka, Takao Saito, and Naoki Urasawa, have created works that seem to incorporate this incident.

If you carelessly start investigating, you will become obsessed with the complex and strange events and mysteries that lie behind it, so much so that there is even a term called ``dismounting sickness'' among journalists. This is why this incident is called "the greatest mystery after the war."

This incident is truly full of mysteries, but in this 10th installment, we have gotten closer to the truth than in the history of the series. What on earth is it about this incident that captivates people so much? If you watch the program, I think you'll understand why.

[Click here for the link to "NHK Plus" for the program broadcast on March 30th.]

NHK Special Unsolved Case File.10 Shimoyama Incident [Part 1] Until 4/6 (Sat) 20:48

NHK Special Unsolved Case File.10 Shimoyama Incident [Part 2] Until 4/6 (Sat) 22:54

Project Center Producer

Yosuke Niina

2001 Enrolled

in Unsolved Case Series for over 10 years