A preview press conference for the NHK Asadora drama "Kaze,Kaoru " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and others), which will air in the first half of 2026 and stars actors Ai Mikami and Juri Kosaka , was held at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo on Getsuku. Production director Takehiro Matsuzono gave an interview after the press conference and spoke about the theme song "Kaze to Machi" (Wind and Town), which will be performed by the three-person rock band Mrs. Green Apple.
"Kaze,Kaoru" is a buddy drama set in the Meiji era, featuring two trained nurses, Ozeki Chika and Suzuki Masa. The two graduated from the same nursing school, but struggle with how to interact with patients and doctors, and grow through clashes before eventually becoming the "strongest buddy." Migami plays the main character, Ichinose Rin, and Uesaka plays Oya Naomi.
Matsuzono says, "One of the things I wanted to keep in mind when planning this project was the kindness of 'standing quietly beside someone.' It's not about someone pulling someone's hand hard, but rather people gently holding hands naturally, saying, 'If you'd like, please join us,' and I hoped that this kind of kindness and consideration would permeate the atmosphere of this drama."
When offering him the theme song, he revealed, "I wanted it to have a core that reflects the two main characters' determination to survive in this era, and a feeling that they are walking gently down the road together rather than stepping forcefully on the ground. I also told him about the motifs, including how human life is handled in the drama. He read the script and really sympathized with it."
Regarding the song, he commented, "I think listeners will find it to be a gentle song. The theme song for the Asadora has been aired 130 times, even just for the original broadcast. If you include reruns, it's a song that will be played countless times, but no matter how many times you listen to it, it has a comfortable quality that feels like it's grown on you."
He added, "There are many moments in this drama where human life is dealt with, so there are episodes that are heartbreaking, and episodes where you feel a sense of stagnation, as if you just can't overcome the wall, but I think this theme song supports the drama as a whole."
"The Kaze,Kaoru" will start airing on NHK General TV and other channels from March 30th.
