Ministry of Finance March 1990
As of today, March 30th...
we will be placing ceilings on real estate transactions.
We want to enable more people
to become happy homeowners to own their own homes...
"You don't know when a bubble bursts until after it has happened."
- Alan Greenspan, former chairman, US Federal Reserve Bank
BUBBLE FICTION: Boom or Bust!
"Funeral for Mariko Tanaka"
Tokyo, March 2007.
Please sign in first.
"Tajima, Heisei Credit Co."
The mother drowned herself?
No body was found.
Empty coffin, huh?
You owe me 2 million yen.
Please leave. This isn't the time.
I think it is. I'm taking the condolence money.
Is she in debt?
Her boyfriend is. But he skipped town.
Not too bright.
Hey!
I got permission, all right?
Excuse me, ma'am. But who is that?
The deceased's daughter.
Mariko had a daughter?
Shimokawaji here. Don't abort the plan.
Your "good fortune rake" is smaller than last year's.
Tell me about it. It's been shrinking for a decade now.
Superstitious stuff like that only drives customers away.
Call me old-fashioned.
"Mama-san" here was a top geisha during the bubble years.
Geisha!?
You don't say! Really?
This is Mayumi.
Your request?
Welcome.
Why the long face?
Come on. Let's party!
Her mother just died.
You're depressing the clients.
Sorry.
Go on home.
But I need to work.
Boyfriend's debts?
Can I get an advance?
I just gave you one.
Oh, crap... Tajima.
Damn it!
Excuse me, please!
Wait, stop!
Get back here!
Gotcha!
The funeral money wasn't enough.
Look, I told you. It's not my debt!
Well, your boyfriend's gone. You have 3 days.
Can I borrow 500 yen? I haven't eaten all day.
I guess I can't let you die on me.
You now owe 177 million and 500 yen.
That's tight. You won't win girls that way.
Old habits die hard.
Hey, this coin's brand new! Could be good luck.
There's no such thing.
You, too?
Think I'd be doing this otherwise?
Guess not. Where'd you work before?
Believe it or not, I was once an elite banker.
You're kidding.
Loan officer at the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan.
Ah, the one that failed.
Don't remind me.
Banks weren't supposed to fail.
What collection agency sent you?
Finance Ministry.
Finance Ministry?
He owes you guys, too?
I'm an old friend of Mariko's.
Here to burn incense?
Your mother's not dead.
Not dead?
A man saw her jump off a cliff.
My staffer reported it.
It was all orchestrated.
"Orchestrated"?
"Tokyo Cherry Trees in Bloom"
Mama?
Check the date.
17 years ago.
So this is her back then?
Look closely.
You've come home just to ask for money?
I'm in a bind, mama!
You're a big girl now. Take responsibility.
What kind of parent are you?
It was your decision to leave home with that man.
Ask someone else.
Like who? Dad? I wouldn't know where to look.
Watch it.
I'm deprived because of you.
I hate glasses.
What happened to your contacts?
I'm going on a trip tomorrow. Contacts are a hassle.
This is how she looked a week ago.
Why is she in a 17-year-old newspaper?
"Isao Shimokawaji, Ministry of Finance"
Mr. Serizawa!
You plan to acquire MTT?
No, just a capital tie-up.
Why are you here?
I used to work here, didn't I?
Can't I come visit a few old friends?
No relation to your fund, then?
Mr. Shimokawaji!
Wait.
That photo bugged me.
You said something about a plan?
Where are we going?
Take a look.
"713 days, 13 hours"
The time left before the entire Japanese economy collapses.
"Collapses"?
Know how much Japan's in debt?
Japan has debts?
800 trillion yen, and growing by 90 billion each day.
A debt we cannot repay.
This is Mr. Sugai.
According to our simulations...
Japan will be bankrupt in less than two years.
The big banks will fail, triggering a domino effect.
What, again?
This bank, too?
Right away.
No way.
The income gap will rise. 20 million will be jobless.
Crime will run rampant and the government will cease to function.
Japan will implode.
Implode?
So why are you telling me?
There's one way out of this.
Where to now?
"Ministry of Finance Administered Property"
"Hitachi Home Appliances Lab"
Where do you know my mom from?
Tokyo University.
I joined the civil service. She entered the private sector.
This is her lab.
Wow... so mom built things.
What is this?
She made lethal weapons?
Consumer appliances.
You sure?
You know why Edison invented the phonograph?
To leave a will.
Little did he realize it would spawn a colossal music industry.
Such is the fate of great inventors.
You're saying Mom is like Edison?
No, I'm saying your mother is even greater than Edison.
Indeed.
She invented a time machine.
Time machine?
In here.
That's a washing machine.
Not your ordinary washing machine.
Did I miss the joke?
Six months ago...
your mother reengineered this machine to study water particles.
One day while washing a T-shirt...
It reappeared in the same place.
But had traveled through time.
A researcher at this plant 17 years ago found the T-shirt.
Puzzled, he held onto it.
Then six months ago...
when the same man heard about the vanishing shirt...
he showed it to your mother.
She had opened a gateway...
to 1990, 17 years ago.
Now you understand the meaning of this newspaper.
Wait.
You're saying Mom is living in 1990 right now?
The newspaper was her way of telling us that she made it there safely.
She hoped to rescue Japan...
by convincing legislators not to pass legislation on March 30...
that led to the burst of the bubble economy.
But she has stopped sending signs.
Something has happened.
Like what?
What's the government doing?
This was a highly classified operation. Officially, it doesn't exist.
Without contact from Mariko, the plan is dead.
And so, perhaps, is your mother.
You're abandoning her?
Why'd you let her do it? Why didn't you go yourselves?
Actually, we tried.
But...
all we got were faded socks.
The machine has upper limits on transport capacity.
A body no larger than 5-foot-3.
Circumference under 80 cm... total volume less than 50 liters.
We had people who fit the profile. But no takers.
Mariko never married.
I didn't think she had a daughter.
Wait...
So what?
You look under 5-foot-3.
Circumference under 80 cm.
Stop sizing me up!
Your country needs you.
Go back in time and stop the bubble from collapsing.
Come on, you can't be serious! Why me?
You guys are nuts.
Wait!
What have I got to do with the bubble?
You don't have to save the economy.
Just your mother.
Why should I? She's never been there for me.
You have debts, right?
Yeah... so?
If you save the economy, your debt will surely vanish.
Really?
Are you in?
No. Forget it.
I don't have time for such nonsense.
Do we let her go?
Damn! Tajima.
What do you want?
2 million yen, what else?
You mean 1,770,500 yen, right?
Exactly. Two days...
I'll pay you back, Mama. I promise.
"Home from Kindergarten, Age 5"
Mayumi!
Mama!
Did you have fun?
Sorry I'm late.
Brrr.
I'll be able to return, won't I?
Once you meet your mother.
Your things are in a waterproof bag.
The places your mom planned to visit are marked on this 1990 map.
She went to dissuade then Finance Bureau Director-General...
Yoshimichi Serizawa, not to make the announcement.
He's the key to finding your mother.
Serizawa, huh?
You saw him yesterday... at the Ministry of Finance.
Of the Serizawa Fund?
Time to go.
All right, I'm gone.
Wait.
Feet first.
Hold it!
What's that?
Detergent.
But it's a time machine.
Just making sure.
I forgot to ask. Where were you 17 years ago?
Ministry of Finance.
Can I see you?
No.
Seeing me is too risky.
Risky? How so?
What do you mean "risky"?
Come on, tell me!
God's speed.
Looks like I made it.
How'd you get in here?
You swam?
No trespassing.
What's the date?
March 26.
What year?
What?
Just tell me.
1990, all right?
Yes!
"Out of range"
No cell phones.
I believe you have a Mariko Tanaka staying here.
I'm her daughter.
One moment, please.
She checked in a week ago, but hasn't returned in 5 days.
The day she went missing.
Mr. Serizawa! What's the government doing about skyrocketing land prices?
We're drafting a bill to address that very issue right now.
To take effect when?
Excuse us!
You have a visitor, Sir.
A banker?
A bar hostess.
So young.
Nothing.
I don't seem to recall your face.
Didn't I pay the tab?
I believe my mother paid you a visit recently.
Mariko Tanaka's her name.
Don't know her.
Are you sure?
I'm sorry.
I've an agenda.
I see.
The police are better with missing persons than we are.
"Japan Inc. Plummets Serizawa Fund Soars"
What did you come here for, Kaoru?
This isn't the place.
You promised to drop by last night.
I didn't say I'd keep it.
Mr. Shimokawaji?
You're Mr. Shimokawaji, aren't you?
Who're you?
You're so different!
I came here in a time machine on your orders.
From the year 2007... to find my mother.
And to stop some announcement from bursting the bubble.
I guess this sounds crazy.
No, not at all.
We can't talk here. Let's go somewhere quiet.
Hey!
How'd you like to be a top fashion model?
I'm serious.
Just show up at our editor's desk. He'll take care of you.
Here's taxi fare. We'll be waiting!
Follow me.
Pardon me but I couldn't help notice...
your pants are falling down.
That's the style.
Hey!
My club's building!
Come along.
8th floor? That's my cabaret club!
"Cabaret club"?
Hey, how's it going?
It's a dance club!
What?
Dance club!
You mean "disco." "Clubs" have hostesses.
Hey, you're Ai lijima!
Who're you?
You're going to write a best-selling biography!
Say what?
Pardon me.
Your pants are falling down.
Ramos! J-League soccer!
What's that?
In the World Cup qualifying match...
What match?
Tighten your defense in extra time!
Thanks for the advice.
Here.
Isn't this expensive?
Tiffany!
Go ahead. Everyone's got too much money, anyway.
What's with him?
Wow, an old-fashioned disco.
Sit down and tell me your name.
Who is it now?
"I love you - Natsumi"
Is that a pocket pager? Let me see!
Your name?
Mayumi.
Why'd you come to me?
Why'd you bring me here?
Because you're cute.
What?
I know a cozy little inn along the beach. Want to see it?
Wait, I thought you were going to help me.
I am. Time machine, right? I like UFOs, personally.
But most of all, I like...
pretty women.
17 years can sure change a guy.
You mean me?
You can read my future? A psychic, huh?
Tell me. What am I like in 17 years?
Do I drive a luxury import? Am I Finance Minister?
All this... is going to end. This disco will vanish.
Highly unlikely.
The economy will crash.
Very funny. This is Japan.
How can you be so frivolous?
Hey, what's wrong with enjoying life?
So, want to dance? Or grab a bite?
We could hit a motel and shower.
I'm looking for my mother.
I'll help.
Really?
But in return...
Why you lecherous pig!
Nasty.
Kaoru?
Who's the girl?
A psychic. She's telling my fortune.
Don't give me that.
I'm from the future.
A nut case.
It's true! I came in a time machine.
Obviously. Look at your hairstyle.
And what's with the jeans? Your belly button's showing.
Where'd you do your nails? The circus?
This necklace is the only normal thing you got on.
What?
Your eyebrows.
So bushy.
Tight body suit and colored pantyhose?
No way.
Tit-for-tat, huh?
Hey.
Shimokawaji.
So you're a rookie TV journalist?
Yes, what do you do?
I know a real cozy beach inn. Care to see it?
He's a dead man.
He's completely useless.
Too many people!
Tajima?
Wait!
I'll get you the money, all right!?
Have we met before?
Java Jive? Zipango? Another disco?
That's right, I'm not in debt yet. Thank God.
I'm going to a graduation party tonight.
You're a student?
My date canceled. Will you accompany me?
I'll make it worthwhile.
Here.
Please say "yes."
That's a lot of money.
Just tonight... please.
Look here! 10,000 yen!
Over here!
Hurry!
So this is the bubble, huh?
Know what?
Not a word about my fashion.
You're talking to a real lucky guy.
For now.
I just got hired by the Long-Term Credit Bank.
That bank will fail.
Come on. Banks can't fail.
Wait and see.
Sorry I'm late.
Here's your taxi voucher.
Yours, too.
Why so many?
Why not?
Decadent.
The lucky number is...
l-30!
No winners?
Then let's continue. Next number!
G-59!
Congratulations! Your prize...
2 million yen!
What? No way!
Unbelievable.
Without lifting a finger, I got 2 million yen...
free transportation and a Tiffany necklace.
It'd be hard to fall into debt here.
Why should you? These are good times.
Obviously.
Here's to the good life! Cheers!
I guess you're right.
I haven't had this much fun in years.
I love the bubble!
Mama...
Yuko?
You promised to come by.
I didn't say I'd keep it.
But I will tonight.
Really?
Truth is, I'm nuts about you.
Is your boss around?
Who, Serizawa?
In the Diet all day.
A girl came to see him yesterday... Iooking for her mother.
Yeah, I remember. So?
I want to see her.
You despicable boor!
Nasty.
What's the problem?
She barged in here.
Mama was here! I've got proof!
This magazine! Mom had to have brought it!
Stop resisting!
- Wait! - I'm calling the police.
She's okay.
Director Serizawa says to send anyone suspicious to the police.
This woman works at a nightclub he frequents.
She's come to collect the tab.
That's right.
Otherwise, she'll have her salary docked.
Yes, the club always sends me.
Men are much more willing to give money to a pretty woman.
So I get all the dirty work. Being cute can be a curse.
We wouldn't want this to get out. Leave her to me.
Come visit us at our club sometime!
You're really persistent.
Now do you believe me?
Look, enough fun and games. Why'd you come see me?
Why are you pretending to be from the future?
Why won't you believe me?
Excuse me.
It's Kaoru.
Have any change?
What now?
Look at this coin.
2007.
2007?
It's counterfeit.
Why does it work, then?
"Testing & Analysis"
Well, Sugai?
It's genuine.
What did I tell you?
It's obviously a misprint. Where'd you find it?
What does your time machine look like?
So you believe me?
Don't tell me you arrived in a De Lorean.
A washing machine.
You came in a washing machine?
You almost had me there.
But it's the truth.
So what's next?
I'm going to confront Serizawa.
He's out... at the Diet.
How about...
dropping by my place?
If I'm involved with all this 17 years from now...
it would behoove me to listen, right?
Do you promise to listen, then?
As if my life counted on it.
I'm not the same man you met yesterday.
How so?
Well, today...
I truly and deeply...
want to get to know you.
Why you lecherous!
Nasty.
Make yourself at home.
It's straight out of an old TV drama.
I've got my eye on something much bigger.
I'm sure the banks will oblige me.
Bet you're hungry.
Don't you want to eat?
Don't think you'd be fooled?
I bet you will. Hidden Camera has been at this for more than a decade.
Incognito!
What an obvious disguise! That's so "ghetto"!
So "ghetto"? I didn't know that was even an adjective.
That felt great!
It's been a long day.
I bet you're tired.
Not at all.
Is that so?
I love old TV!
The warm weather has brought out the cherry blossoms.
Mama...
The last photo I saw of her was in front of cherry blossoms.
That's right. You're looking for her.
Where could she be?
If you're from the year 2007, you've met my future self, right?
What am I like?
Different.
In what way?
You're dark, depressing... and aloof.
Who, me? Lmpossible.
I wonder what happens to you in the next 17 years.
Are you curious?
I'm glad you're finally taking an interest.
We've got all night.
What would you like to know?
Your career... is a failure.
You work in the basement.
Basement?
I'll take the bedroom.
Damn.
Okay, then.
Fine.
The future, indeed.
Mariko?
"The Setting Sun"
"Deficit Time Bomb"
"Yawning Income Gaps"
"The Lost Decade"
Morning.
I waited for you last night.
Same old excuse?
No, I simply forgot.
You're the lowest.
Enter.
You wanted to see me?
I assume you know everything...
about the girl who broke in here yesterday.
Oh, that girl?
You came to her rescue. Why?
Should I have not?
Don't play dumb.
In two days, we'll be announcing important legislation.
We can't have the media sniffing it out in advance.
That's why I've asked that anyone suspicious be arrested.
Surely arrests are excessive.
That's not your call.
Understood.
Can I ask you something, Director?
You haven't met the girl's mother?
No, I haven't.
What're you implying?
Nothing. Never mind.
Shimokawaji speaking.
I beeped you last night. Why didn't you call?
You're so gorgeous, it would distract me from my work.
Uh-huh. Listen, can I meet that kooky girl from the disco?
Why?
She's from the future, right?
As a journalist, I can't help but be intrigued.
Okay, but under one condition.
Hello?
It's me.
Meet me in 30 minutes in front of Akebono Station.
There are two exits so...
Gotcha. I'll call you when I get there.
Call me how?
That's right. No cell phone service.
He doesn't have one, either. How do people survive?
Hey.
Try to be a little more specific with meeting arrangements, okay?
How should I know how people meet up in 1990?
Where you going? I've got to find Mama.
Let's start looking.
Hey, is that Naoko lijima?
- Yes, it is! - Who's she?
She's real famous in the future!
Don't come back.
Please, give me another chance! I won't mess my lines!
Sorry.
Poor girl.
Don't give up. You're going to get a big coffee commercial.
Excuse us, please.
I am?
Sorry to keep you.
About time.
What's the condition?
See if the police are holding this woman.
I have the suspicion my boss had her arrested.
She's my mother.
She's also from the future.
She built the time machine.
I see. Your mother invented a time machine?
I want to know all about life in the year 2007.
Never mind that. Hurry!
First things first.
What about the "Great King of Terror"?
Great King of who?
Nostradamus!
The seventh month of 1999! What happens?
In 1999? Nothing, I don't think.
How disappointing.
Well then...
The biggest change is the mobile.
Mobile what?
Mobile telephone.
Is this really a telephone?
It's so small!
But it doesn't reach my mouth.
It also takes pictures.
See?
Wow! But how do you talk and take photos?
You don't.
You can shop, too.
It's a credit card?
Email, too.
And a masseuse.
Ah, that's nice.
Now you believe me?
I do.
Did you see that? I want to live in 2007!
You'd fit right in.
But the economy gets bad.
Now, that I don't believe.
This is Japan.
A "bubble", by definition...
We'll do a special feature!
Just find her mother!
"Cute young prophet divines 21 st century Japan!"
There she goes.
Everything okay?
A small glitch but I'm taking care of it.
What's wrong?
Nothing, eat up. This dessert is only served here.
What? Tiramisu? I love it.
This is "bad"!
What? No good?
I mean, it's great.
You sure use some funny expressions.
Let me ask you something.
Is the economy in 2007 "bad"?
As in "great"?
No, as in "bad".
What's the prime lending rate?
Don't know.
But they say there's no future.
The population's declining.
The government is 800 trillion in debt and can't repay it.
800 trillion?
Really.
That's why you sent us back here.
What did my future self tell you?
That at this rate, the Japanese economy would collapse.
I said that?
There you are!
Mariko!
Mama! Where've you been!? I've been looking for you!
Who's this?
What do you mean? It's me, mama!
Do I look like a bar hostess to you?
Come with me.
What're you up to?
Nothing.
I'm being followed, morning till night!
On your orders, right?
No! Who, me?
Don't lie.
I'm not. Why would I give an order like that?
You're not getting her.
Who?
My daughter.
Your daughter?
Our daughter.
I never told you about her.
So how'd you find out? Who told you I had her?
My... daughter?
You want custody, don't you?
Wait, back up. You gave birth to my daughter?
Yes, on my own.
How old is she?
Five.
Impossible. What's her name?
Mayumi?
So you did know.
Why didn't you tell me?
You've got other women.
I had no intention of marrying you.
But I wanted a child. So I disappeared with her.
I can raise her myself. She doesn't need a father.
So stop pestering us.
We're perfectly happy just the two of us.
Mariko, wait.
What was that all about?
Uh, nothing.
That's my mama from the past, right?
From when I was five years old.
I don't remember much.
She always worked late in her lab.
She'd pick me up from daycare in the evenings.
You sense something?
Like we're being followed?
Stay here.
Who's there!?
Stop!
What're you doing?
Working.
Filming Mayumi?
She's my subject.
She's not a circus act.
Oh, come on. We'll keep you out of it.
No way.
I'm serving as her guardian.
You're not to follow her, you hear!
Shimokawaji?
Don't tell me you've fallen for her.
Watch your tongue!
Just find her mother.
Thanks.
For protecting me.
I took you as stupid and flaky.
Well, I'm bushed.
Good night.
It's okay.
A kiss.
Behave yourself!
You have to be on your guard with men. You're too easy.
What?
Make sure they respect you for who you are.
Now go to bed.
Sleep tight.
You're one to talk.
I found her mother. She's being held at the Kojimachi Police Precinct.
Why the police?
She jumped in front of the Prime Minister's car.
Mr. Prime Minister!
I must speak with you!
Serizawa wouldn't listen so she went to the top.
Mama.
"Detainment Desk"
Released?
Yes, one hour ago... Ms. Mariko Tanaka.
Where'd she go?
I'm afraid I don't know.
If a Mariko Tanaka contacts you, buzz me immediately.
Is that tomorrow's announcement?
I was just thinking.
What?
If we go ahead with this...
it'll clamp down on the collateralizing of property.
That could lead to a lot of defaults on loans.
And if those start to mount...
You worried about the banks? They can handle it.
No, I don't think they can.
In the attempt to lower property prices, they're missing the bigger picture.
Is this for real?
Tomorrow's announcement is a bomb set to explode.
Hello?
Come quickly!
He's on the phone with Mariko Tanaka.
Mama!
I've given it a lot of thought.
You've sold me on your future scenario.
I plan to shelve legislation restricting property loans.
Yes, I promise.
But I'd like you to personally explain this to the principals.
Come to the Toyokawa restaurant in Akasaka tonight at 6.
See you then.
But Mama...
Excuse me.
It's about your announcement tomorrow.
What about it?
I beg you to reconsider.
Why should I do that?
I fear your simulation underestimates its true impact.
I fear it will generate massive loan defaults...
and throw Japan into a recession of an unprecedented scale.
The announcement will go ahead.
But Sir!
There's no time to waste.
That is all.
Do you believe in time travel?
Time travel?
Yes.
I'd sure like to.
Can we save her?
Well?
Let me ask you again.
Are the people in your time unhappy with their country?
I don't know.
But I know you will think so.
"Toyokawa"
There's got to be a way in.
Tamayakko?
Shimokawaji?
How dare you show your face here?
You two-timing pig!
Nasty! Especially the fan.
"Mama", is that you?
She's not your mama.
No, the madam of the club I work at!
You must be mistaken. Get to work, ladies.
Mama, wait!
Don't call me that!
I've got a great idea!
We're on!
Not bad.
You think?
Fish delivery.
Mama...
Leave us.
Come on!
Mama.
I'm your mama, right?
Who are they?
Just a few key supporters of Japan Inc.
Please... tell us our future.
I am...
from the year 2007. I came in a time machine that I built.
I'm here to dissuade you from tightening fiscal policy.
It will cripple our nation's banking system...
and devastate the economy.
Banks will collapse, taking small and medium-size firms with them.
A dark, long tunnel lies ahead.
So I beg you, please... cancel tomorrow's announcement.
Well said.
So we weren't mistaken after all.
What's he up to?
We're well aware of all this.
It is our intention to see the Japanese economy collapse.
In it's wake, we'll go on a buying spree of bargain stocks.
We'll become multi-billionaires.
Everyone in attendance here.
You knew?
But why?
You said yourself this is a bubble.
Someone's got to burst it, right?
Damn, if only we had a video camera.
We do. This takes video, too.
Since you're from the future, you don't exist here.
Killing you would not constitute a crime.
Mama...
Shimokawaji!
Mayumi!
I came looking for you, Mama!
You don't own Japan, Serizawa!
You could join us...
or be part of a love suicide with this girl.
You're not getting away with this!
Do something.
Don't mess with a geisha.
Mariko...
you've gotten old.
Thanks a lot.
Nasty.
Ready, ladies?
Get off me!
My phone!
There!
Get off your butt!
My wig!
Not so fast!
My cell phone...
is dead.
Party's over.
You raised a good girl.
A loose cannon but... I'm proud to be her father.
You knew?
Father? You?
We got it all on tape! And live, too!
Little did we expect a development like this!
A conspiracy to ruin the economy and profit from it!
This is Kaoru Miyazaki, reporting live from Akasaka.
Back to the studio!
How'd I look?
I called the police.
You promised not to tail us.
I never said I'd keep it, right?
Sugai?
My leak.
Come with us, Mr. Serizawa.
Let me call my lawyer.
I can walk unassisted.
Give me your exclusive, Sir.
What are your plans now?
You all right?
I think so.
Why did you come?
My future self sent her.
But why?
That's okay. I agreed to it.
I was worried about you.
Then we're finished here?
Yeah.
There's one little problem.
When the Director threatened Mariko...
he said she doesn't exist here.
Yeah, so?
Well, there's another way to ensure that she doesn't.
Mariko.
But I'm...
The other Mariko.
That's right. If the younger you disappears...
the time machine doesn't get invented and we don't come here.
She said she was being followed.
I'll call the police!
It's about time.
Sorry but now I need your bike!
I'm coming, too! They're both my mother.
Hold on!
Mama...
Put down the gun!
Hold onto something!
What just happened?
A byproduct of my research.
Why were they after me?
Your new girlfriend?
You don't need to know yet.
You're working pretty late for someone with a small child.
She's all you have, right?
That's precisely why I have to work.
I don't want her to struggle.
She can't grow up feeling deprived that she didn't have a father.
But she has a father... right here.
Don't strain yourself.
Mayumi's my child, too.
Mayumi?
Mama!
Sorry I'm late.
Here she is.
And now to the Ministry of Finance for an emergency press conference.
It's starting!
A bill aimed at restricting real estate speculation....
has been withdrawn.
After much examination...
we concluded it would place too great a strain on the economy.
What led you to that conclusion?
Highly restrictive, short-term caps on property transactions...
would saddle banks with enormous non-performing loans.
Many banks would fail immediately.
Banks?
Without a doubt.
So the Ministry of Finance plans to do nothing?
Our current prosperity cannot continue unabated.
The bubble will eventually burst.
What can we citizens do?
I'm not sure I know.
What would "you" do, then?
Keep working.
And at the end of the day...
I'll go home to my family.
Family?
What family?
What do you mean "family"?
Deposit this 2 million yen into Mariko Tanaka's account.
A present from her daughter.
This belongs here, I think.
With so much money and everyone living it up...
it's tempting to stay.
But family is all I need.
Let's go home.
Ugh, Tajima?
Wait!
I'm still in debt?
Look, I'll pay you, all right?
For what, Miss Mayumi?
"Miss Mayumi?"
Mayumi?
Mama!
Madam, your husband has sent for you.
Mr. Sugai?
Welcome back.
Ready, Mr. Secretary?
"Mr. Secretary?"
The Prime Minister insists on coming himself.
"Prime Minister?"
Today's newspaper.
"1 st Shimokawaji Cabinet Launched"
I'm Cabinet Secretary. These are my aides.
Supporters sent the new Prime Minister a 3-meter high "good fortune rake".
Hopes are high for continued prosperity under the new administration.
Now for sports.
Japan's national team is looking to repeat as World Cup champions...
under head coach Ramos.
Welcome home.
What happened these 17 years?
We'll talk about it over dinner.
Family comes first. I'll see you later.
Why you arrogant pig!
Nasty... even for a Prime Minister.
What is it, Mayumi?
What's that?
Traffic got so bad, I had a couple more built.
Oh no. I'm not doing this again, Shimokawaji.
Call me Papa!
Hiroshi Abe
Ryoko Hirosue
Hiroko Yakushimaru
Kazue Fukiishi
Yuko lto
Gekidan Hitori
Shigemitsu Ogi
Hiroko Moriguchi
Masatoh lbu
Produced by Chihiro Kameyama
Story by Hoichoi Productions
Screenplay by Ryoichi Kimizuka
Directed by Yasuo Baba
Presented by Fuji Television, Dentsu, Toho, Shogakukan
(c) 2007 Fuji Television, Dentsu, Toho, Shogakukan. All Rights Reserved.
This movie is purely fiction.
As of 2007, no time machine has been invented out of a washer.
Under no circumstances should you ever climb into a washing machine.