Yutori Desu ga Nani ka
Yutori Desu ga Nani ka (English title: We're Millennials Got a Problem?) is a Japanese television drama series that aired on NTV in 2016. The series explores the lives of three men born in 1987, a cohort often associated with Japan's "Yutori" education policy.
Background
The term "Yutori" refers to a Japanese education policy implemented in the late 1970s. The policy aimed to create a stress-free learning environment by reducing school hours and curriculum density. Critics of the policy have argued that it may have diminished the competitive drive and ambition of the generation raised under these reforms.
Plot
The series follows three men navigating the challenges of adulthood, work, and relationships while contending with the societal perceptions of their generation. Masakazu Sakama (Masaki Okada) is a corporate employee who, following the death of his father, supports his family while transitioning to a new role managing a bar franchise. Kazutoyo Yamaji (Tori Matsuzaka) works as an elementary school teacher, often facing friction with parents and colleagues due to his teaching methods. Maribu Michigami (Yuya Yagira) is a married man with a child who continues to pursue admission to the University of Tokyo despite financial difficulties.
Production
The series was directed by Nobuo Mizuta and written by Kankuro Kudo. This project marked another collaboration between the two, who previously worked together on the films Maiko haaaan!!! (2007) and No More Cry!!! (2009).
Cast
The main cast includes:
- Masaki Okada as Masakazu Sakama
- Tori Matsuzaka as Kazutoyo Yamaji
- Yuya Yagira as Maribu Michigami
- Sakura Ando as Akane Miyashita
- Taiga Nakano as Hiromu Yamagishi
Related Titles
The series has been followed by several related productions:
- We're Millennials Got a Problem? SP (2017)
- We're Millennials Got a Problem?: International (2023)