189 (2021 Film)
189 is a Japanese drama film released on December 3, 2021. Directed by Ikuo Kamon and written by Haruko Nagatsu, the film focuses on the critical role of child welfare officers and the function of the 189 emergency hotline in Japan, a dedicated number for reporting suspected child abuse.
Plot Synopsis
The narrative follows Taiga Sakamoto, a rookie child welfare officer portrayed by Yuma Nakayama. The story begins with a tragic failure in the system: a young girl, previously under Sakamoto's care, is returned to her mother after a period in a shelter, only to die shortly thereafter. This event leaves Sakamoto disillusioned and contemplating his resignation.
His perspective shifts when he receives a report from a hospital regarding a six-year-old girl showing signs of physical abuse. Despite the father's denial of any wrongdoing, Sakamoto, alongside attorney Shion Akiba (Natsuna Watanabe), works to uncover the truth and protect the child from further harm.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast depicting the various stakeholders involved in child protection cases.
- Yuma Nakayama as Taiga Sakamoto
- Natsuna Watanabe as Shion Akiba
- Hisashi Yoshizawa as Shoichi Masuda
- Yasuyuki Maekawa as Nobuhiro Yasukawa
- Yuno Ohta as Seira Masuda
- Atsuki Tomori as Noriko Masuda
- Sei Hiraizumi as Kiyoshi Sakamoto
- Hiroshi Takigawa as Mamoru Aoshima
- Takuto Teranishi as Raimu Kimura
Production
The film was produced by Noboru Yamaji and distributed by Aeon Entertainment. It features cinematography by Ryu Segawa and has a total runtime of 109 minutes.