<h2>Satomi Ishihara spotted energizing the set!</h2>
<figure id="attachment_480904" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-480904"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="6c7397f8"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/dbb164560a6826a70832727f4c74042f.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-480904" class="wp-caption-text">Ishihara discussing the shoot with staff. Although temperatures exceeded 30°C that day, she took charge of the set with a cool, composed expression.</figcaption></figure>
<p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" dir="auto" data-start="662" data-end="843">A gold necklace glimmered around her neck. Sitting at a terrace table in a glamorous outfit and giving instructions to the staff gathered around her was actress Satomi Ishihara, 39.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="845" data-end="960">In mid-August, filming for a new drama starring Ishihara was underway in an office district in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="962" data-end="1494"><strong data-start="962" data-end="1466">“It’s &#8216;Political Pan,&#8217; which is scheduled to air on Fuji TV from October. Ishihara plays Yayoi Kisaragi, the strongest female Lupin in history, who steals political money. Even during breaks, she discussed things with the staff and carefully checked the camera footage over and over. Her energetic voice could be heard throughout the set. When passersby called out to her, she responded with a smile, and as the chairperson—the lead actress at the center of the production—she really kept the set lively.”</strong> (Production company source)</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1496" data-end="1642">The script is by Akiko Nogi, who wrote the 2018 hit &#8220;Unnatural,&#8221; which also starred Ishihara. This marks their first collaboration in eight years.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1644" data-end="1962">Ishihara has broadened the scope of her work in recent years, serving as a host on an informational program and winning numerous film awards for &#8220;Missing,&#8221; which she starred in 2024. However, according to the aforementioned source, <strong data-start="1879" data-end="1962">“What she was most particular about was starring in a television drama series.”</strong></p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1964" data-end="2575"><strong data-start="1964" data-end="2575">“Apparently, she had been frustrated by the lack of another hit after &#8216;Unnatural,&#8217; so she must have been extremely happy when Nogi approached her directly this time. We hear she told the production side, ‘I’ll do anything, including promotional appearances!’ Fuji TV has been shaken by the impact of scandals and various troubles, while drama ratings have continued to struggle, so expectations for the Ishihara–Nogi dream team are high. The co-stars are also a strong lineup, including Issei Takahashi (45) and Yumi Kawai (25), and there is a lot of excitement that ‘this drama could be Fuji TV’s savior.’”</strong></p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2577" data-end="2639">Will “Ishihara Lupin” steal viewers away from rival networks!?</p>
<figure id="attachment_480905" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1949px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-480905"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="71cdac80"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/dc43d1a1be02d8ff7e85f812b231686d.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-480905" class="wp-caption-text">The thrilling phantom-thief entertainment is set in the fictional country of Nipponia, where Ishihara’s Lupin, wearing sunglasses, runs wild.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_480906" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1293px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-480906"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0fe6fb88"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/27db3ec3338b7de293405f420d14f53e.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-480906" class="wp-caption-text">Previously unpublished photo: Will the female Lupin played by Satomi Ishihara become Fuji TV’s savior?</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_480907" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1667px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-480907"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="e1a88768"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/1d43933c7acbcca25988e6829a6adf2b.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-480907" class="wp-caption-text">Previously unpublished photo: Will the female Lupin played by Satomi Ishihara become Fuji TV’s savior?</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" dir="auto" data-start="4026" data-end="4072">From the September 25, 2026 issue of &#8220;FRIDAY.&#8221;</p>
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 Kumatarō Arai

 In “Political Pan,” Satomi Ishihara plays Yayoi Kisaragi, a “female Lupin” who steals money from politicians. Expectations are high for this reunion—her first in eight years—with “Unnatural” screenwriter Akiko Nogi. Will she be Fuji TV’s savior...?

Satomi Ishihara’s Female Lupin Takes Aim at Fuji TV’s Biggest Challenge Yet

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