Politics Division?
For one week, you'll be working at the Prime Minister's official residence.
...An old safe with 150 million was discovered.
...So how do the SG think about it?
- ...Shotoku Taishi? - ...It's Nihon Fudosan Shinyo Bank.
A politician's wallet?
Enter in the top league.
What is top league?
The view you see will change dramatically.
Get something from SG Kondo tomorrow.
The money in this safe may be related to the Tsutsumi route.
...Regarding that Cluster incident.
Can you tell me more about Nihon Fudosan Shinyo Bank?
Those in the top league... can get special information directly...
...and are privileged to hear politicians' real intentions.
I have to catch on to it.
Then, come over here. I'll let you see the backdrop you've never seen.
The victims were Kubo Tamio-san, 80 years old...
Robbery...
This is not a robbery case.
I've been waiting for you, Matsuoka-san.
Pardon me for making you surprised.
I want to talk just the two of us,
so I asked Akutsu-san.
Why it's me?
I think you're called to become a top league.
There are reporters who are close to politicians.
Have you wondered that it's strange?
Suddenly, you were called to be my top league,
and I wonder if you have any thoughts about this.
Matsuoka-san.
You tried me during that regular conference.
You deliberately asked questions which were not on the anticipated Q&A's.
I have been in this post for more than two years.
Our relationship with the media is a bit colluded.
You... have felt it,
so I guess you had cause discord from there.
You are interesting.
I... have thought that...
...I needed someone who's like a camphor dose around here.
So you mean,
to galvanize other reporters,
you have used me?
It would have worked.
Anyways, Nagata-cho is a sea of deep jealousy.
From now on, you can just contact me directly.
That would be less troublesome.
I do so.
Thank you so much.
One more thing...
Before I forget this.
It's the next president's HR of the East-West Development Bank.
It's the first time we've hired one from the private sector,
so there will be of news value.
Why to me...?
I'm grateful for you being a camphor dose.
I can't grasp Kondo-san's intentions.
You said that he thank you for using you.
Even though he have used me,
I also have benefited from him.
So you want me to get this scoop?
That's what being in a top league is.
The view you can see has changed.
Kubo Tamio, 81 years old, was killed.
He's a former employee at Nihon Fudosan Shinyo Bank.
Koda Genki, 80 years old, a politician's former private secretary.
They may be correlated probably in some kind of business.
After the two went on an izakaya at Nishi-Ikebukuro on that day,
they left the store and on the alley 10 meters away from it,
they got attacked by someone with a knife,
got dead on arrival at the hospital,
and their own wallets were gone.
A CCTV camera near the scene showed a man who's likely to be the culprit.
- Okay, let's go. - Yes, sir!
Anyone inside?
We're from the police.
He went over there!
- Stop! - Stop! Stop!
Be quiet! Don't move!
At 9:58 a.m, arrested for robbery and murder.
He acknowledged his crime.
He said he assaulted them for money.
He overstayed with his tourist visa...
...as he couldn't get the job he wanted.
He happened to be in a pub,
and saw an old man who looks rich,
so he followed and ambushed them to steal that man's wallet.
The victims were threatened with the knife,
though got stabbed as they have resisted.
That's what it said.
And I think it's unnatural.
Kubo-san, the victim...
...was the man I interviewed before about that money in the safe.
So what now?
You thought it was Shibata-san.
These murders may be related to that Cluster incident.
Cluster wants Japan to buy the aircraft,
using a man named Tsutsumi as the point of contact,
and gave enormous bribe money.
With this called Tsutsumi Route, the bribe money...
...was converted into Japanese yen at a dark-rumored bank.
Then, it was later on a politician's pocket.
That's just your imagination.
The man who had worked at this bank was killed.
Also the politician's secretary!
Moreover,
according to his family,
they hadn't been in contact for more than 20 years.
I met with him and interviewed him.
And then, he was killed.
That money in that safe...
...is connected in that Tsutsumi Route.
To hide that fact,
the two of them must vanish, isn't it?
[ Cabinet decision to be made soon, a new private alumnus ] [ Mr. Kushiro, to be next-term president of East-West Bank, the foreign capital top ]
Sa-chan. Say good morning to grandpa and grandma.
Okay.
Good morning.
Ah, let me see.
Great. It's not been put half-top.
It's the original article that I've made.
Congratulations.
By the way.
I'm sorry from before.
I couldn't went home early despite of the deadline.
Well, it went well.
Sa-chan, let's eat breakfast.
It was a bit great last night.
Almost all night, he follows-up the article you've written.
Just be careful.
Fukami-san is glaring at you.
See you later.
Okay.
This article is an information from Kondo-san.
My bad but I can't talk about it.
What have you really done?
How did you able to got with him?
Then, see you later.
Matsuoka speaking.
This is Kondo. Can I talk with you for a bit?
Did you have any issues with the article?
None at all.
You have published a good article.
You weren't able to forget making necessary arrangements,
and I was relieved.
Is that so?
So, I suggest one thing...
Matsuoka-san, are you interested with sick-child-care issues?
Sick-child-care issues?
The government's now working on the problem with stand-by children in nursery schools.
You know that, right?
Just like that,
we need to build more and more facilities...
...to temporarily hold the sick children.
Does that mean...
...you want me to become a policy reporter regarding sick-child-care?
Can you able to do it?
It's such a significant role...
Can it really be possible for me?
I'll let you get in touch with my secretary soon.
I understood, sir.
I beg your pardon.
Are you going to give such a half-finished story under my name?
Tanaka, co-representative of the Progressive Party...
...wants to leave the party and start a new one.
You take Tanaka's story!
- You'll take the Progressive Party's. - Yes, sir.
Collect as much useful material as possible.
Understood, sir.
How did Akutsu-san get such information from time to time?
Indeed.
You need to develop a bit your material.
My apologies.
Akutsu-san.
I heard you were nominated as a policy reporter.
Did you already know?
Do I have to be festive knowing that situation?
I just don't allow setbacks.
Chicken that don't lay eggs...
...must be constricted without mercy.
I don't have any idea why Kondo-san wants to appoint me.
But because I have been nominated...
I'll necessarily bring results.
Hey, hey, hey.
You're a policy reporter this time?
It's just been a week since you came to Politics Division.
What's going on with you?
This is blend, but the coffee is pretty good, is it okay?
I got this from the master of the usual store I go.
You've drastically promoted him as a policy reporter.
It's all thanks to you, Akutsu-san.
You invited me to the Ministry of Economy.
I'm still not in favor of putting Matsuoka beside you.
I wanted to see what kind of man he is.
You mentioned a radical solution, right? Prime Minister Ashihara...
Gosh. Another cumbersome guy came out.
But in fact, this problem has not yet fundamentally solved.
What do you think about this?
Prime Minister Ashihara.
About that stand-by children issue...
It's not an problem that can be solved overnight.
Surely, we can create a path towards the solution.
To keep the Ashihara administration as long as possible,
Matsuoka needs to be near with you.
That's probably right.
[ Top League ]
[ Kubo's residence ]
[ Episode 2 ]
Is it true...
...that you haven't had any personal contacts with Koda-san for 23 years?
Yes.
Sorry to ask this,
but do you know that Kubo-san was grudged by someone?
Was he?
That is...
Wasn't my husband just killed for money?
My apologies. I'm asking just in case.
You don't know anything?
I don't know if it's related...
Shortly before the incident,
a journalist came to my husband...
...and asked for an interview.
Since then,
my husband's state has been strange.
What happened?
Shibata-san, where did you go?
Well, just for a bit.
Regarding the Nishiikebukuro incident, the autopsy results came out.
Eh?
Want to continue the investigation?
This is the autopsy results from Kubo and Koda.
Both of them were wounded on their carotid artery many times.
Just to look for the money, the one behind this relentlessly do the crime.
They thought it was just easy as they were old men.
It was testified that the victims resisted and were left carelessly, right?
Well, [the culprit] will be caught if he or she overstayed,
and it's unnatural when a murderous intent bud impulsively, isn't it?
Can I do a little more investigation around just in case?
Were you aiming for the money?
Is there anything else you wanted to do?
No, sir.
I understood, sir.
Pardon me.
Then, will it be sent out as it is?
At this gradation, no matter what is Tsutsumi Route,
we need to pay attention towards it.
Will anyone wants to believe what we said?
Let me tell you,
just let yourself low down first,
have an ingratiating smile,
and then come back to the central office.
Just because of a wild idea from a weekly publication,
I don't want them to find us suspicious.
So, you should move on your own.
Kubo-san's situation has changed after you have interviewed him.
His wife said so.
Even if he's being sent and prosecuted,
there's still time before the trial.
I'll collect the solid evidence and thrust it up.
I understood.
Then, what about that one? Any progress?
Ohata is searching now.
Welcome.
Hello.
Can I sit here?
Thank you.
What would you like to order?
What is your order?
I want sweet and sour pork, please.
Okay.
I didn't thought you could speak Chinese.
I studied to interview a Hong Kong star.
Not to use it to get information about the murderer.
So what did you find?
The murderer who killed Kubo...
...went to and from a Chinese restaurant in Kamata.
It seems that they gathered and exchanged information about work...
...at this store with other Chinese from the same hometown.
It seems true that the culprit was in trouble with money.
The culprit's brother from their countryside got sick,
so he took a job even it's dangerous,
and called him here and there.
I see.
I got it.
According to my investigation,
the culprit sent 5 million to his place the day before the incident
It's for his brother's treatment.
Eh...
That 5 million is the reward for a risky job?
Probably that's it.
On that sense, there's a hoodlum who scouts people...
...who are in trouble with money and works for them.
At the request of that hoodlum for 5 million,
the culprit had killed both Kubo-san and Koda-san.
Hoodlum...
There's a syndicate group who's partitioning that area.
Then, after all, Kubo-san was intentionally killed.
I'm going somewhere.
Eh? Where is it?
There's this old man who knows behind this.
Ah... Please let me meet with him too.
It's still early for you.
Just go back to the editorial department and varnish over the desk.
Don't tell anyone yet about this.
So... what do you want to hear from me?
About the man who ordered the culprit to kill Kubo and Koda.
The syndicate group who paid 5 million.
Nowadays, even parrying an attack is already severe.
I don't think I have the power to pay 5 million.
There must be another person behind it.
What's with that Tsutsumi Route in the Cluster case?
It's something that didn't plunge into my head.
I'm just digging up the buried past.
I have no idea.
Read this.
It's about that Cluster case.
No one wrote about it anymore.
As soon as the book came out, he died from a hit-and-run incident.
The book was also prohibited for sale.
It's almost withdrawn by sellers.
I understood.
It's not yet treated as past.
The bribe money from the Tsutsumi Route is still alive.
You're Matsuoka-san, right?
Well... Yes.
I have been waiting for you.
I'm from Juvenile Family Bureau, nursing section chief, Sone.
Please come with us.
Please follow us.
Okay.
This time, the PM's residence...
...wants to see you personally to be interviewed...
...regarding the sick child care issue.
- Thank you so much. - No need.
Can you tell me about the rudimentary story this time?
I understood.
Please.
[ Fiscal Year 2014 ] [ Current status and issues of sick-child-care ]
As you know, "sick-child-care" is...
...to temporarily take care of a child who has developed a sudden illness.
In general, most nurseries, children who have a fever of 37.5 degrees...
...or a child with infectious rashes...
...were refused by them to be kept.
The problem is the lack of sick-child-care facilities, right?
That's right.
Nurses and nurseries are definitely insufficient.
What measures are you considering?
First, there must be deregulation in increasing facilities.
In addition to facilities,
we are planning to support home-based sick-child-care.
Sorry to say this,
but there may be a problem with PR shortage in the future.
It's fine. You're right though.
We're here...
Excuse me.
I'm Nagai, the undersecretary.
I'm Matsuoka, from the politics division of Yamato Shinbun.
I want to express my gratitude to you.
Are there any problems?
Yes.
They have been studying well,
- so it was easy to explain and it helps. - No, such a thing...
Thank you.
Please bring this if you want.
This is the material I just received from the undersecretary...
Could it be that this "subsidiary aid magnification"...
...is not yet being approved by the government?
Yes, not yet.
After all, that's how it is.
You want us to report about this,
and put pressure on the government, isn't it?
Well... No...
Sorry to say this,
but I can't accept this material.
I mean, that is...
I certainly came and was introduced by the undersecretary.
but you know,
regarding what shall be covered and shall be written,
you can just check it with your own eyes and judge it.
You were caught up with something, aren't you?
Pardon?
Didn't the Ministry of Labor's undersecretary sent you a strange material?
In case, you'll bring it back,
I was going to remove you as the policy reporter.
How did you know about this?
Put this in a manuscript.
Akutsu-san.
Do you always have information...
...as you're one of the top league in Nagata-cho, Akutsu-san?
Don't just ask questions simply.
You should ask yourself, "Do I like this?"...
...after you have done some coverage.
Yes, sir.
My apologies.
Thank you for the good published article.
It's okay.
It's thanks to secretary's assistance.
But it was surprising.
The fact that you, from the Ministry of Economy...
...who is enthusiastic about the sick-child-care support issue...
You must know that we're facing the same problem.
Do you have a child?
She's still 3 years old.
My wife is also working,
so, the whole family will get panicked when our daughter heats up.
My wife is a freelance writer.
Basically, we will respond towards it,
but I think it's a serious problem for families who do not.
Sorry for the long talk.
It's fine.
As expected.
It's good that I have asked from you.
I'm going to have a social gathering tonight,
how about going on a bar?
Please tell us about the results of your interviews regarding sick-child-care.
Please, by all means.
[ Tokyo Business Hotel ]
[ Cluster incident disappeared in the darkness ] [ Nomoto Fumio ]
And what was written in this book?
From the bribe money that got dispersed in that Cluster case,
only the money from Tsustumi Route has not yet been elucidated.
That's the reason.
Tsutsumi was being called many times...
...by the diet as a witness regarding the Tsutsumi Route.
But he refused because of his illness.
He had an illness?
The opposition party at that time also thought that way...
...and decided to send a doctor to Tsutsumi's house to confirm it.
It was decided that at the meeting during 12:08 p.m.
However,
on that day at 2:35 p.m.,
Tsutsumi's attending physician...
...was to visit his residence when a doctor came from his place.
The latter had injected powerful sleeping medication...
...that let Tsutsumi slept.
Eh?
At 4:00 p.m., the doctor from their place had came.
Seeing Tsutsumi who had disturbance of consciousness,
it was adjudicated that he's impossible to be called as witness.
Someone has pretended as his attending physician,
that caused him not to testify.
Who's that someone?
The book was written by the SG of the Constitutional Democratic Party [CDP] at that time.
He must had also received money from the Tsutsumi route,
and apparently, he was afraid of it.
As a result,
the 12 billion yen of bribe money from Tsutsumi route was been neglected.
I don't know how much each politician has.
Supposing that this is one's politician's safe.
Assuming that 150 million inside was the bribe money from Tsutsumi Route.
But how can we prove this?
There were no records of that bribe money.
The politician's secretary,
who's in charge of the vault, should be his private secretary.
We'll going to look for his secretary at that time.
Then, I'm going to make a list.
Ohata, get off from here.
Eh?
The bribe money from Tsutsumi Route is still alive.
I have already told you about that.
It's still on taboo.
Practically,
the one who wrote this book is dead.
Then, Sakai-san, you'll be in danger, isn't it?
I'll just be fine.
Anyways, I'm alone.
I'm out of contact with my parents and relatives.
What...?
Is that so?
Camel... only needs a little water.
It can walk for months with hundreds of kilograms of luggage.
However, camels are also gore creatures.
Of course, they have their limits.
In the end, just putting even a piece of straw...
...can make their spine breaks.
That safe and cash...
...may be the last straw for Japan.
Is that what you're trying to say?
Uncovering the money in the vault will collapse Japanese politics.
That would be possible.
That's why, Kubo-san and Koda-san were killed.
People who don't want to be exposed to the Tsutsumi route...
...are now at the center of politics in this country.
The Prime Minister is here.
Three minutes later, at 9:10 a.m.,
the Ministry of Finance's undersecretary, Kito, will come here.
I understood, sir.
Do you feel tired?
No, I'm just fine.
I'm not yet tired.
Speaking of which,
Yamato Shimbun has published a good article.
Right.
Is it about the sick-child-care support?
It was written by a reporter guy who recently entered.
It would be helpful if this article had saved us.
Everywhere,
no matter what I say,
I'm just thinking about tripping up somebody.
If we have time answering questions that just create complaints about trifles,
I'd rather want to take some time to consider other important matters.
I know that...
...you are working on the Japan's future, Prime Minister.
You should realize only your own policies.
Please consider that.
I'll take care of what you're worrying of.
I'm always grateful towards you.
Matsuoka-san.
Will you come for Kondo's informal talks?
Yes... I'm about to reply now.
I guess you're busy.
Being a policy reporter besides as a reporter in general.
Fukami-san is totally flaring up.
You're being recommended by Kondo-san, right?
Are there any other themes you are aiming for other than child care support?
I can't say anything.
It would be better to stop it.
Even among the same reporters, this is the only thing I can say
I'm going first.
My apologies. She's goofed.
I'm going too.
Wait a second.
Are you together with Kondo-san?
Please tell me if there's something interesting.
I'm also being strictly assessed by my head.
We met once again and this will continue.
I didn't see you for 10 years.
Indeed.
What's with the Ministry of Economy doing interview at Nagata-cho?
Immediately after that, I was transferred to the Politics Division.
- So, now, at the Prime Minster? - No...
I'm following with SG Kondo.
Since you're from Yamato,
you'll work for the PM for six months, right?
I was designated by Kondo-san.
How about you?
Working on a Diet member's scandal?
Well...
See you later.
Say,
why have you left?
You were excellent during our time.
Being a political reporter...
You said you felt worthwhile with it.
What are you trying to mean?
Wait a second.
Tell me why will you quit.
I detest this.
Being a newspaper reporter didn't mean anything to me!
What happened...
...10 years ago?
Is it okay for you to talk about that?
This time, again.
I'm back.
Welcome home.
Is this for Saki?
Is she sick?
Yes.
The nursery school contacted me and said she has a fever.
But she's okay now as her fever got down.
I see.
But don't you have a daytime coverage today?
I have.
I was substituted by someone.
I see.
That's a pity.
It's just fine.
I know that the Politics Division is more busy than the Economics Division.
Now, I'm a policy reporter for sick-child-care support.
Child care support?
Right. Sick-child-care.
Well, that's just goes the same.
There will be many households who'll get packed to the hilt for raising children.
Some people said they can't have children as they don't have the confidence to raise them.
So, by publishing articles necessary for sick child care,
the government policies must progress themselves.
It's the duty of newspaper reporters to protect people's lives.
You haven't changed since you've been there for a long time.
What are you saying...?
Here is the list of private secretaries.
I'm still in the middle of making report.
I told you to get off from this.
Sakai-san, you'll be killed first, got it?
Then, I'll escape from it.
You... should advance forward for this job.
Did you get information from your former colleagues?
Well, not at all...
He's my fellow colleague before that I happened to meet at Nagata-cho.
Who's that one?
What does it mean?
For instance...
When I was a newcomer and went to the Social Affairs Division for training,
there was a traffic accident.
Delay the death time for 30 minutes?
Well...
Don't you know that it's the Spring Traffic Safety Month, right?
If you delay it by 30 minutes, it will be recognized on the next day.
This way, we can announce that there are no deaths this month.
You, from Yamato.
I'll be owing from you.
There's no way you can just lend and borrow an article. [ i.e. report can't be done like that just for that reason ]
Matsuoka...
The time of one's death...
...will be the time when that person's life is over.
Even with the trashy conditions of the police,
no one can just hurt that person's dignity!
Well, to be honest, I think 30 minutes for that was not a big deal.
Nor did we tampered with that death certificate.
But...
Matsuoka never gave up and wrote an article.
He's so inflexible.
And a straightforward guy.
Whatever happens,
he doesn't allow the truth to be get distorted.
But I'm a bit worried for him.
He's now in the Politics Division.
Eh?
As what you see now,
we won't able to know right away politicians who are suspicious.
Okay.
Then, I will go on this way.
Thank you for today.
Thank you too.
- Then, I'll excuse myself. - Okay.
Have you seen Fukami this morning?
Oh. Look, Fukami.
What have you done with Matsuoka?
I heard you were preparing for something.
Whom have you met, interviewed, and what you did.
Why...
What do you mean, Akutsu-san?
I received a report saying you're investigating that man,
so I looked into it.
You've looked into Fukami-san?
Then, please tell me what happened.
If that man seized something from your weakness,
I'm going to tell you about it first.
Did that clear your doubts?
Well.
I guess you're working very seriously.
That's becoming abnormal.
Don't you think that being a politics reporter goes like this?
Not really.
Fukami has a reason for it.
A reason?
You must prepare for yourself.
Again...
Look at this.
Thank you.
[ Tsutsumi Company ]
This is Nishimuta.
It's being delayed due to unexpected difficulties.
I'll be right back. I'm sorry.
You've been overspeeding. Please slow down your speed.
I'm sorry. I'm in a hurry.
May I see your license?
Please open the trunk.
Is it a big money that contains 50 million?
It's the money from the party business.
Party business?
He was a private secretary of the SG of the CDP.
For the time being, he seems to have cancel his ticket and returned,
as he sensed that something was wrong.
Will the party's money transported in cash?
I guess they are carrying regular money.
It's the bribe money, isn't it?
Where is it?
At Odaiba.
Odaiba?
I know a lot about him.
Nishimuta Shozo.
He's from a faction to which the SG of the CDP belongs.
He's a secretary specializing in back-office works.
Back-office works like carrying bribe money.
That's what I thought.
But,
why was it brought to Odaiba?
They must have their small coffers there.
I thought of it so I checked Odaiba.
Tsutsumi Company?
It's a money trader on that town.
The owner was the Tamashi Shinkai which was established by Tsutsumi.
After Tsutsumi died, Tamashi Shinkai was dissolved.
Tsutsumi Route's bribe money....
...was being managed by the Tsutsumi Company.
And the fact that SG of the CDP carried that money...
...means that the bribe money...
...is still utilized by the politicians of that party?
Most likely.
Sakai-san.
What's up?
I have a successive list of the private secretaries.
Koda-san, who was killed together with Kubo-san,
- was one's politician's private secretary, right? - Yes.
I looked into the secretaries of the other politicians.
And then, this name here...
SG Kondo...
Sorry for suddenly inviting you here.
It's okay.
Matsuoka-san, you're always welcome.
It seems that Fukami-san of Dainichi Shinpo...
...will participate in the next lower house election.
Fukami-san... has been a Diet member before.
Over the past year,
all of the articles written by Fukami-san...
...are pro-government contents.
Since you're fed up with the elections,
you asked him to write something, weren't you?
No, that is...
I guess that was Fukami-san's selfishness.
If one decided to accredit itself as a candidate,
one must remove itself from being a beat reporter.
Your distance to the interviewee is too close.
It's no use saying to collude with others.
Exactly.
After all, you came here and you're right at the same time.
What are you trying to say?
I'm sorry.
As you tried me during the regular meetings,
I also tried you back.
I knew...
...that Fukami-san was envious of you.
However,
I decided to turn a blind eye...
...as I wanted to know what would be your reaction...
...when you know he was going to run on the elections.
Fukami-san was also greatly perplexed.
Here you go.
Without any guesses or unreserved intentions,
feel free to write articles as much as you want.
That will also benefit the government.
Let him in. It doesn't matter.
Looks like there's a guest here.
Please bring the appetizer.
Yes.
I'm Sakai from Shinjidai.
Nice to meet you, I'm Kondo.
Kondo-san.
Can you tell me about the small coffers in Odaiba?