The seventh episode of the drama series "Okome no Onna - National Tax Agency Document Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Affairs Room" (TV Asahi, Thursdays 9pm), starring actress Nanako Matsushima, was broadcast on February 19th, and the average viewership rating (according to Video Research, Kanto region, same below) was 8.5% for households and 4.7% for individuals, exceeding the 7.1% for households and 4.0% for individuals for the sixth episode from the previous week.
The drama is set in the newly established "Complex National Tax Case Processing Office (commonly known as Zakkoku)" of the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau's Document Investigation Division (commonly known as Kome, because of the character for rice, which means "fee"), which boasts high information gathering capabilities and investigative skills in tax investigations. The drama follows the talented investigator Yoneda Seiko (played by Matsushima) as she, along with a group of unique individuals, takes down unscrupulous tax evaders.
The subtitle of episode 7 is "Former Minister Evades Taxes with Unlisted Stocks!?"
In the aftermath of numerous scandals involving women, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Takaba Soichiro (Chiba Yudai) resigns. To avoid media scrutiny, he is hospitalized under the pretext of poor health. Soichiro's secretary, Haijima Naoya (Katsumura Masanobu), then announces his candidacy for the by-election under the name "Takaba." Meanwhile, Masako (Matsushima) is ordered to investigate Soichiro and visits him in the hospital. Soichiro, bewildered by Haijima's behavior, proposes a deal to her. And then, for some reason, Masako's father, Taji (Terao Akira), appears next to Haijima... and so the story unfolds.
