Ep. 21 Radius 5 Meter
Written by Cordelia, edited by Grace
In this episode, we are going to delve into a TV show that aired in the spring of 2021, called Radius 5 Meter (半径５メートル).
Listen to full episode :
About the Show
"Radius 5 Meter" aired from April to June 2021 on NHK, airing on Fridays at 10 pm. It consisted of only 9 episodes and was directed by Yukiko Mishima, with the brilliant Atsuko Hashibe as the writer and creator. It stars one of my favorite actresses, and our editor's favorite as well, Kyoko Yoshine, alongside Hiromi Nagasaku.
Summary
The story revolves around the editors of a female-centric life magazine called "Women's Life." There are two departments within the magazine: ichiori, which focuses on gathering exclusive stories from celebrities, and niori, which covers various lifestyle topics.
Our heroine, Fumika Maeda, is a young journalist who used to work in the ichiori department, dealing with gossip news. Every day, she would wear high heels, apply heavy makeup, and dress extremely professionally. She faced daily challenges such as power dynamics, ageism, and sexual harassment. To cope with it all, she indulged in snacks from convenience stores.
At the beginning of the story, Fumika is removed from a reporting project due to making a mistake and being exposed as a journalist. She is then transferred from the ichiori department to the niori department. There, she joins forces with Takako Kameyama, a top veteran freelance writer, as well as Chief-in-Editor Maruyama, transgender editor Kaori, and another editor named Masumi. In the niori department, they take a more relaxed approach, sipping coffee, discussing research topics, and occasionally having lunch together.
On Fumi's first day in niori, Takako advises Fumika to pay attention to the green tiles on the flooring beneath her feet, while the chief-in-editor instructs her to write only about things that occur within a 5-meter radius of herself.
"Radius 5 Meter" explores issues close to us and investigates matters that are intricately tied to our lives, particularly those affecting women. Through her work in the niori department, and with the guidance of Takako-san, Fumika gradually finds her voice both professionally and personally. She transitions from eating processed snacks to cooking more homemade meals, swapping high heels for comfortable shoes, and trading heavy makeup for a more natural look and casual attire.
Writing Process
Takako, the incredible freelance writer, immerses herself in every subject she writes about. She believes in experiencing things first hand before putting her pen to paper and writing about it. For instance, she personally rode a shared bike from central Tokyo to Gunma to write about the experience. Takako is the kind of character who has already lived multiple lives, drawing inspiration from her own experiences as well as those of others.
Takako's talent lies not only in her thorough research and personal knowledge but also in her generosity. She doesn't force her readers to take sides or blindly believe what she writes. Instead, she shares her ideas and discoveries, inviting readers to join her on a journey of exploration with her. I admire writers like Takako who are not just skilled wordsmiths but also exceptional storytellers.
I recall sharing this kind of generosity in one of my writing classes, and, of course, there were those who argued that writers should guide their readers because it's their duty. Well, in my opinion, coercing readers to choose a specific side is akin to brainwashing, whereas true storytelling involves presenting narratives without imposing a particular mindset. Personally, I strive to be a storyteller rather than a manipulative machine.
Topics
Similar to many TV shows, each episode of "Radius 5 Meter" focuses on different themes. One episode explores the spellbinding stigma of gender roles, and gives the example of the criticism faced by a mother who purchased frozen oden (a traditional Japanese dish) for dinner at a grocery store, rather than making it from scratch at home. Fumika ponders the origins of such biases, while Takako experiences the situation firsthand and prepares three homemade versions of oten—one taking 10 minutes to cook, another taking 30 minutes, and the last requiring 55 hours. Through this exploration, they discover that the definition of "homemade" is subjective, and Takako happily shares the recipes to make the oden, which Fumika incorporates into her article.
Another episode delves into the phenomenon of renting boyfriends in Japan's urban centers. Fumika and Takako embark on a joint project to understand this practice. Takako spends a year meeting 100 different rental boyfriend partners, and writes stories that are later adapted into a manga series—an extraordinary endeavor indeed.
The show also explores the concept of a minimalist lifestyle, the act of discarding possessions, and even partners and relationships. However, Takako poses an intriguing question: What is the one thing or notion that people can never truly let go of? She challenges the notion that giving away material possessions erases the emotions attached to them, shedding light on a topic that is rarely discussed.
Other episodes touch upon the effects of social media on parent-child communication, the struggle to find one's authentic self within societal norms, the lasting impact of journalism, and the importance of unwavering respect in relationships. They encourage viewers to cherish and care for those within their reach, including loved ones and those they hold dear.
Ending
"Radius 5 Meter" reminds us that, in our daily lives, we need to focus on what is within our own 5-meter radius, including ourselves. While the show offers valuable educational insights into gender roles, social norms, transgender issues, mental health, and the art of storytelling, each person's 5-meter scope is unique. That's precisely why magazines like Women's Life exist—to explore and shed light on diverse perspectives. TV shows like this bring invisible issues to the forefront. By discussing these matters, individuals who resonate with them in their hearts can appreciate the approach taken and find the courage to heal and work towards change. "Radius 5 Meter" holds a special place in my heart.
I hope you enjoyed this episode. Since neither the book nor the TV show is available in English, I have personally translated any dialogue mentioned in this episode. This episode was edited by Grace and written by me, Cordelia.
By the way, I have also made a very beautiful website for this podcast, the URL is thursdaynightkissaten.com, if you have time to take a look at it, that will make me really happy.
Thank you again for listening.
Stay tuned for our next episode. Talk to you soon!
Reference
TV Show: Radius 5 Meter (半径５メートル)
Original work: n/a
Script Writer: Atsuko Hashibe
Director: Yukiko Mishima
Aired Time: April 30, 2021 to June 25, 2021; Friday, 10 pm
Castings: Kyoko Yoshine, Hiromi Nagasaku, Katsuya Maiguma, Yukiya Kitamura, Maho Yamada, Sei Matobu, Toshinori Omi
Links: TV Show website in Japanese (NHK): https://www.nhk.jp/p/ts/E33JWZ3ZR3/
Amazon Prime in Japanese: https://www.amazon.co.jp/半径５メートル-NHKオンデマンド/dp/B093XMM461
