Haruka Fukuhara Shines in First Fuji Monday Drama Lead—A Refreshing Contrast to Berabou

“It’s really hot.”

In early July, under the blazing sun at Tama-Dobutsukoen Station (Hino City, Tokyo), a drama shoot was underway. Due to the intense heat, there were few visitors to the nearby zoo, and apart from the film crew, the station was nearly empty.

Soon, a woman appeared with a large group of staff, wearing a light blue shirt and beige pants — a refreshingly cool outfit. It was actress Haruka Fukuhara (26).

“They were filming for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m. drama Ashita wa Motto, Ii Hi ni Naru, which began airing on July 7. This marks Fukuhara’s first starring role in the iconic ‘Getsu-9’ time slot,” a TV magazine writer explained. “The heartwarming human drama is set at a child guidance center (Jidō Sōdanjo). Fukuhara plays Tsubasa Natsui, a police officer in the serious crimes division of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. One day, she is temporarily assigned to the child welfare department, where she begins working as a new caseworker.”

The first episode featured a story about a single mother who abuses her 8-year-old son, and Fukuhara’s portrayal of a woman torn between the roles of police officer and child welfare worker was powerful. “Her performance was impressive — a complete departure from her alluring role as courtesan Tagasode in the NHK Taiga drama Berabou,” the writer added.

In Berabou, she plays a historical figure, Tagasode, who seduces high-ranking officials like Tochi Tanuma (played by Hio Miyazawa, 31) and Hiroko Matsumae (38), younger brother of a feudal lord — her seductive performance drew wide attention.

As a child, Fukuhara told zakzak in an August 2010 interview,

“It’s my dream to appear in a Taiga drama.”

Over a decade later, she fulfilled that dream. Regarding her first Getsu-9 lead role, she commented at the “Fuji TV Drama Live 2025” press event on June 28:

“I’ve always enjoyed watching the Monday 9 p.m. dramas, so I never imagined I’d be starring in one myself.”

At another promotional event on July 6, she said:

“This drama involves a lot of outdoor filming, and it’s really hot. But I’m doing my best every day, getting tanned alongside the amazing cast and crew.”

Indeed, the temperature in the Tama region during the time of her shoot was 33.5°C, with intense sunlight beating down. Still, Fukuhara handled the shoot with her usual high spirits. This summer, all eyes will be on her continued success.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit

In the current drama, she plays the lead character — a police officer by profession who is temporarily assigned to work as a child welfare caseworker.