Japanese Americans
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From AsianMediaWiki
User Rating
Current user rating: 88/100 (19 votes)
Profile
- TV Show: Japanese Americans
- Romaji: 99-nen no Ai ~ Japanese Americans
- Japanese: 99年の愛 〜JAPANESE AMERICANS〜
- Director: Katsuo Fukuzawa
- Writer: Sugako Hashida
- Network: TBS
- Episodes: 5
- Release Date: November 3-7, 2010
- Runtime: 21:00-23:00
- TV Ratings: 15.3%
- Language: Japanese
- Country: Japan
Plot
In 1910, Chokichi Hiramatsu (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) immigrates to the United States for a better life. He starts off as a seasonal laborer in the U.S. and through hard work eventually buys a farm with his wife Tomo. Chokichi and Tomo have four children through their marriage.
In 1940, relations between Japan and the U.S. deteriorates, making life difficult for Chokichi's family. Chokichi's eldest son Ichiro (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) turns 18 and faces discrimination at his university. Nevertheless, Ichiro falls in love with Shinobu (Yukie Nakama), the daughter of a consulate staff member. Shinobu comes to the Hiramatsu's farm to help the family with their work. During this time, Ichiro's younger brother Jiro (Ken'ichi Matsuyama) develops a crush on Shinobu.
When war breaks out between Japan and the U.S., Chokichi is arrested by the F.B.I. and sent to a detention camp. His family members also get sent to detention camps, with daughters Shizu & Sachi expelled to Japan.
To gain the trust of the American government, Ichiro then pledges his allegiance to the U.S. and enlists in the war. Ichiro is sent to fight on the front lines in Europe. Meanwhile, Shizu becomes caught in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Sachi is caught in the war in Okinawa. Younger brother Jiro attempts to shield Shinobu from further troubles, while also protecting the Hiramatsu farm ...
Notes
- "Japanese Americans" is a special TBS drama series to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Tokyo Broadcasting Station.
- Filming took place between February & August, 2010.
- Shooting locations include Japan and U.S. (Los Angeles, California & Seattle, Washington).
- The final scene filmed took place in Safeco Field (Seattle, Washington) between August 8th and 10th.
Cast
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| Tsuyoshi Kusanagi | Yukie Nakama | Kenichi Matsuyama | Kiichi Nakai |
| Ichiro Hiramatsu / | Shinobu Hiramatsu (young) | Jiro Hiramatsu (young) | Nagayoshi Hiramatsu (old) |
| Nagayoshi Hiramatsu (young) |
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| Pinko Izumi | Tsunehiko Kamijo | Keiko Kishi | Kaoru Yachigusa |
| Tomo Hiramatsu (present) | Jiro Hiramatsu (present) | Sachi Hiramatsu (present) | Shinobu Hiramatsu (present) |
- Saki Terashima - Shizu Hiramatsu
- Umika Kawashima - Sachi Hiramatsu (young)
- Ayako Imoto - Tomo Hiramatsu (young)
- Yo Oizumi - Noboru Yamagishi
- Ukon Ichikawa
- Takashi Sasano - Tasuke Komiya
- Akiyoshi Nakao - Hiroshi Komiya
- Chinu Izumi
- Masayo Umezawa - ep.1,2
- Tsubasa Kato
Trailer
Episode Ratings
| Episode | Date | Ratings (Kanto Region) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 11/03/2010 | 12.6% |
| 02 | 11/04/2010 | 15.5% |
| 03 | 11/05/2010 | 14.7% |
| 04 | 11/06/2010 | 14.6% |
| 05 | 11/07/2010 | 19.1% |
| Average | 15.3% | |
Source: Video Research, Ltd.
Martin Kubota Says:
Aug 27 2011 3:20 am
Great story. Now we need an American version. I'm a Sansei, 3rd generation JA, who happened to get a
copy of the dvds from one of my business friends. It was the first time I was able to view the history of
the Japanese immigrants and their Nisei children.
Stacy Kazuo Sato Says:
Jul 22 2011 10:50 pm
Excellent story! Makes me proud and humble to be a Japanese American.
Stacy Kazuo Sato Says:
Jul 22 2011 10:49 pm
I was given this DVD set from a friend that I knew in Las Vegas. I am from Hawaii and grew up there. My father was alive when the Japanese Imperial Army bombed Pearl Harbor. He was a very young boy. He fought in the Korean War. I teach at a middle school in San Francisco and History has been my favorite subject to teach my students. This movie only made me feel stronger and more proud to be a Japanese American and I continue to teach with passion to students about its importance. Each year, I have the students read, "Farewell to Manzanar," and they get so much out of it. I am also passing this along to other Japanese acquaintances as I want them to also realize the struggle of the Issei compared to what we have to go through today. Thank you so much!!
C Tamura Says:
Jun 02 2011 3:37 pm
Am 3rd generation sansei living in Hawaii. Enjoyed all 5 part series on KIKU. Hopefully this series will also replay on more "english" channels as I would like to have had my children view to understand their great- grandparents' legacy. Without them, we would not all be here.
James R. Davis Says:
Jan 22 2011 4:07 am
Thanks to a high school friend I got to see this movie. Great. We were born just before the war and grew up in Hawaii. So this is part of our history. I'm now living in California and have friends who were in those interment camps. Thanks to those in the 442nd and peace be to those who suffered the indignities of American prejudice. Hopefully over time we have learned to live together with respect and dignity. This movie helps to consider more aspects of this tragic period during and after WWII.
Chris Says:
Jan 19 2011 6:44 pm
im gonna watch this!!
yehey it's availablew in mysoju!!
Darrell Tsukiji Says:
Jan 18 2011 3:13 pm
Would like to see this. Is it subtitled in English?
Herb Minoru Tsuchiya Says:
Jan 14 2011 11:30 am
This miniseries resonates with me because I was born in Seattle of immigrant parents. Our family along with many others were incarcerated in one of the ten internment camps (Minidoka, Idaho). This is an excellent historical lesson for both Japan and American audiences. When available I would purchase several DVD versions to share with family and friends.
M. Kimura Says:
Jan 09 2011 2:36 am
Does anyone know where this video can be purchased?
ben tadano Says:
Dec 17 2010 7:23 pm
when will this be released in California and by whom, and where? suggest publicity thru Jacl's Pacific Citizen newspaper. thanks
Ryan Fujii Says:
Nov 07 2010 11:01 am
Also, I should add that I hope that this drama is shown in America in the near future. It will be a real blessing for the folks over there too! It is a special tribute to those who lost loved ones in war who gave their all for the freedom of living in America without discrimination. To them, may all honor and appreciation be given for their courage, love of family and country, and total sacrifce. Thank you so much for your brave stand!!! It has made a difference!!!
Ryan Fujii Says:
Nov 07 2010 10:56 am
It was an excellent film telling the story of this Japanese family experiencing life in both America and Japan from the early 1900's through World War II up to today. It was a blessing to watch personally since I was born in Seattle, but live here in Japan now with my wife and two kids. My kids got to watch this drama with my wife and I, so it was a very good education for them to understand the experience of their American grandparents and relatives living in the Seattle area now.