The final episode of the drama series "Galaxy Vote" (Kansai TV/Fuji TV, Mondays at 10 PM), starring actress Haru Kuroki, aired on June 29th. A scene in which Ryusei Hiyama, played by Kohei Matsushita, made a shocking confession during a speech, was praised by viewers.
◇The following contains spoilers.
On the final day of the election campaign, Foreign Minister Kosuke Nishitani (played by Yorinobu Kodama) came to support Ryusei's final speech, appealing to voters by saying, "Diplomatic relations between Gilba and Japan were established thanks to candidate Hiyama's life-risking actions during that hostage incident."
When Hoshino Takaomi (played by Bandō Yajūrō), the secretary-general of the Minseito party, appeared after Nishitani, Ryūsei revealed an audio recording. In it, Takaomi revealed to Ryūsei that during the negotiations for the release of the Gilba hostages, he had asked the Prime Minister for a suitable position if the matter was resolved successfully.
Immediately afterward, the microphone was cut off and the lights were turned off, and it seemed as though the speech would be brought to an end, but a new microphone was handed to Ryusei by the members of "Team Akari." Ryusei appealed, "After the incident was resolved, I became the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Hoshino became the Chairman of the General Affairs Committee. We used the hostage incident. It is not ethically permissible. Nevertheless, Mr. Hoshino and I wanted to gain power in order to stop the reinterpretation of the Constitution."
Regarding "constitutional amendment by interpretation," which effectively changes the content and meaning of the Constitution by altering its interpretation rather than changing its text, Ryusei explained, "Originally, the hurdle for amending the Constitution is high, and everyone's will is greatly reflected. However, changes in interpretation can be made by cabinet decision. And this constitutional amendment by interpretation is mainly done with articles related to peace."
When some in the audience called out, "The Constitution needs to be amended!", Ryusei responded with understanding, "You're absolutely right! Changes to suit the times may be necessary." He then urged, "There have been times when such changes were necessary, and there have been things that have been preserved as a result. That's why we should talk about the 'before' rather than the 'after'."
"Let's search without fear of being ridiculed for saying something idealistic, without giving up. Let's find a way for the galaxy, for each and every star, to continue shining. For the happiness of the world, for you, and for myself!"
Then Mari (played by Kuroki), who had been listening to Ryusei's speech, turned on the light bulb on her keychain and shone a light. Following Mari's lead, the other audience members also turned on the lights on their smartphones and held them up one after another. Ryusei imprinted the sight of each light shining in the darkness onto his memory.
On social media, comments such as "Ryusei's passionate final speech was amazing," "Kohei Matsushita's nonchalant, ambiguous acting, followed by his final speech, completely won me over!", "Only Kohei Matsushita could have delivered Hiyama Ryusei's soulful speech," "Ryusei's final speech. After it ended, the light shone from the people was so beautiful," "I got goosebumps the moment a galaxy of light appeared before Ryusei," and "I think Ryusei's final speech scene might go down in drama history" spread widely.
The drama is an "election entertainment" story in which Mari Hoshino recruits Akari Tsukioka, a bar owner with no political experience, to run for governor of Tokyo, and takes on the gubernatorial election as her campaign strategist.
