Kono Machi no Inochi ni
Kono Machi no Inochi ni (Japanese: この街の命に) is a Japanese television drama that premiered on April 2, 2016, on the WOWOW network. Directed by Akira Ogata and written by Kenji Aoki, the film explores the challenging moral landscape of an animal protection center in Japan.
Plot
The story centers on Hiroshi Makita (played by Ryo Kase), a government veterinarian working at an animal protection facility. His primary duty involves the euthanasia of abandoned dogs and cats, a task mandated by government regulations. While Hiroshi attempts to justify his actions as a necessary professional duty, he struggles with deep psychological distress. His colleague, Aki Hataeda (Erika Toda), shares this burden, grappling with a profound sense of guilt regarding their daily responsibilities.
The arrival of a new director, Ayako Takano (Yuko Tanaka), marks a turning point for the facility. Ayako initiates efforts to reform the center's operations and reduce the number of animals euthanized. However, these changes force the staff to confront difficult ethical decisions and the systemic realities of animal control.
Cast
The production features an ensemble cast portraying the staff and associates of the animal protection center:
- Ryo Kase as Hiroshi Makita
- Erika Toda as Aki Hataeda
- Yuko Tanaka as Ayako Takano
- Kiyohiko Shibukawa as Satoru Shida
- Daisuke Kuroda as Seiji Marokawa
- Amane Okayama as Takaya Sueyoshi
- Taro Suwa as Eiichiro Sumiya
- Atsushi Shinohara as Ryota Kizaki
- Elisa Yanagi as Seiko Yamamuro
- Choei Takahashi as Shigeru Kusano
- Kaori Shima as Kinue Hataeda
- Kitaro as Hitoshi Futami
- Mami Kumagai as Mayumi Kurahashi
