Strait of Roses

Kawashima Toshio (Utsui Ken), an assistant professor at a university medical school and an excellent surgeon, becomes mayor after his father-in-law falls ill. The evil hand of organized crime, cleverly disguised, has begun to take hold in the city. Toshio, who has risen up to protect the citizens, is beset with family problems, including the mysterious departure of his beloved wife Yukiko (Hama Mie) from home and the resulting delinquency of his beloved daughter Mayumi (Saito Tomoko). Carrying this heavy burden, Toshio fights with the help of Nagai Masayuki (Kanda Masateru), a young newspaper reporter with whom he has a deep connection. However, in the midst of this struggle, an eerie truth about his missing wife's scandalous past and the shadow of a certain man begin to appear like a mirage...

Directed by —, Strait of Roses leans on a strong ensemble — Ken Utsui, Mie Hama, Tomoko Saitō — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1978.