Taiketsu (2026)

Taiketsu (2026) key art

Taiketsu (対決, literally "Confrontation" or "Showdown") is a five-episode NHK premium drama that aired on NHK BS and BS Premium 4K from 5 April to 3 May 2026, adapting Ryoe Tsukimura's 2024 novel of the same name. Wakana Matsumoto takes her first lead role for NHK as newspaper reporter Kikuno Hiba, who investigates a medical university she believes is deliberately lowering female applicants' entrance-exam scores; Honami Suzuki co-stars as Harumi Kanbayashi, the university director Hiba's reporting puts her on a collision course with. Ikkei Watanabe plays Saburo Hachisuka, the university's vice-chairman of the board, who appoints Kanbayashi to contain the scandal; Toshinori Omi, Kenjiro Ishimaru, and Hiroo Otaka round out the supporting cast. The novel drew on a real 2018 scandal in which several Japanese medical schools were found to have manipulated admissions scores against women. (MyDramaList; NHK)

Watches

Cartier Tank Francaise SM W51026Q3

Worn by Wakana Matsumoto as Kikuno Hiba. Jackroad, the Tokyo watch and jewelry retailer that lent the production its wardrobe pieces, credits Wakana Matsumoto with wearing a Cartier Tank Française SM Asia Limited Ref.W51026Q3 in Taiketsu. Jackroad supplied the physical watch for the shoot, making its own archive a first-party production record of the placement rather than a spotted identification; no scene still has been sourced yet to confirm the exact episode or moment. (Jackroad)

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IWC Square

Worn by Toshinori Omi. Jackroad, the Tokyo watch and jewelry retailer that lent the production its wardrobe pieces, credits Toshinori Omi with wearing an IWC Square in Taiketsu. Jackroad names only the brand and case shape, with no reference, dial, or case material; Omi's character has not been named in any cast listing found, so no character is recorded here. Jackroad supplied the physical watch for the shoot, making its own archive a first-party production record of the placement rather than a spotted identification; no scene still has been sourced yet to confirm the exact episode or moment. (Jackroad)

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Omega Seamaster Chronograph 176.005

Worn by Kenjiro Ishimaru. Jackroad, the Tokyo watch and jewelry retailer that lent the production its wardrobe pieces, credits Kenjiro Ishimaru with wearing an Omega Seamaster Chronograph Ref.176.005 in Taiketsu. Ishimaru has a regular role in the drama, but no cast listing found names his character. Jackroad supplied the physical watch for the shoot, making its own archive a first-party production record of the placement rather than a spotted identification; no scene still has been sourced yet to confirm the exact episode or moment. (Jackroad)

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Waltham Military Field Watch

Worn by Ikkei Watanabe as Saburo Hachisuka. Jackroad, the Tokyo watch and jewelry retailer that lent the production its wardrobe pieces, credits Ikkei Watanabe with wearing a "U.S. military-issue" (米国軍用) Waltham in Taiketsu. Watanabe plays Saburo Hachisuka, the medical university's vice-chairman of the board, who appoints board member Harumi Kanbayashi to contain the entrance-exam scandal; NHK's own episode synopsis and WEBザテレビジョン's cast listing both name the character. Jackroad names no specific reference, and its "military-issue" description matches the WWII-era Ordnance Department field watches this page already covers rather than a distinct execution. Jackroad supplied the physical watch for the shoot, making its own archive a first-party production record of the placement rather than a spotted identification; no scene still has been sourced yet to confirm the exact episode or moment. (Jackroad; WEBザテレビジョン)

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Bulova Square

Worn by Hiroo Otaka. Jackroad, the Tokyo watch and jewelry retailer that lent the production its wardrobe pieces, credits Hiroo Otaka with wearing a Bulova Square in Taiketsu. Jackroad names only the brand and case shape, with no reference, dial, or case material; Otaka's character has not been named in any cast listing found, so no character is recorded here. Jackroad supplied the physical watch for the shoot, making its own archive a first-party production record of the placement rather than a spotted identification; no scene still has been sourced yet to confirm the exact episode or moment. (Jackroad)

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