Apr. 24th, 2022 05:05 am
Jashin no Tenbin: Drama Notes (Complete)
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earth_colorsHere are the translation notes to "Jashin no Tenbin":
Introduction:
MPD Public Security Bureau. [警視庁公安部], Keishichō-kouanbu. Also "Public Safety". It's "in charge of public security with jurisdiction over the Tokyo metropolis... The main focus of the PSB are activities which threaten national security and therefore, their work is similar to Special Branches of British and Commonwealth police forces" rather than the United States' FBI. They are portrayed in dramas as handling cases involving extremist groups: rightists, leftists, religious cults, etc. whose activities pose a threat to the public (bombings, poison gas attacks, etc). (source: wiki)
In the subs, I wanted to use "Public Safety" so as not to be confused with "SP" or "Security Police" which is another bureau in MPD. But in this episode, there were signs that says in English "Public Security" so I went with that.
Police vs Public Security. It's common belief that both departments don't like each other, mainly because of the issue of trust. It's already explained in this episode (by Team Leader Sakuma) that cases they've been working for months or years can fall into ruin if info is leaked. Since Public Security cases can involve a larger number of people affected, they are given more freedom in their investigations which include trailing, breaking-in, and surveillance. Because of that, MPD police may probably resent Public Security for their "special powers", and their lordly ways.
Tailing and monitoring. Public Security would track a suspect or person of interest 24/7, with agents taking shifts. They call this "Kodo Kakunin" [行動確認] or "KoKaku" [行確] for short, which means "behavior confirmation". It's an investigation which takes note of a person's daily activities through tailing, and surveillance. As shown in this episode, Takano got a crash course in Public Security-style tracking and tailing.
Surveillance Codes. They also used some codes. I am not sure if these are codes made up by the writers/author of the drama, because I researched some of them, and came up with nothing:
They called the person being tracked as "Marutai" (which I translated as "X"). I read somewhere that "Marutai" is also used by SP for the person they're protecting.
"Cleaning" means when "Marutai" looks around if someone is following him/her.
Their code for the bomb" is [マル爆] or "Marubaku". "Baku" means explode, explosion, erupt, burst (In the subs, I called it just plain "bomb" haha). What's with the use of "maru" (circle) in codes (which is usually used as code for organized crime or yakuza)? Sorry, I still have to do more research on that.
During their second surveillance, they use business terms for codes. "Sales", "Sales Car", "Branch Office". They called Marutai's hideout "mise" or the shop ("Marutai is entering the shop"). That might have been a code too but I wasn't sure. The hideout didn't look like a shop though, just an abandoned compound.
Division 1, Criminal Investigation Department, MPD. I'm sure you're familiar with this already. This Division is responsible for violent crimes such as murder, robbery, assault, assault, kidnapping, housebreaking, sex crimes, arson, etc., which are called "hard crimes". In Japanese it's 捜査一課 or "Sousaikka", can be shortened to 捜一 or "Sou-Ichi" (in the subs, I translated it as D1). Takano's former unit was Section 11.
"Brace yourself". "Kakugo-shiro" [覚悟しろ]. If you notice, Section 11 Captain Hayase (played by Watanabe Ikkei) has been saying this line, ever since the second installment. As Team Captain, he is the first on the scene, and warns his subordinates to brace themselves before entering the grotesque scene of a crime.
Episode 2 notes:
Gunji's Interrogation. If you're wondering what's with the pictures they were showing him, they're making a point to show him that Public Security will go over into every detail of his private life just to rattle him up and make him confess. Family, past acquaintances and friends, and even his ex-girlfriend's private lives and bank accounts are being dug up, to see if fake Morikawa has any connection with him or them (notice they said "man who called himself Morikawa" and not "fake Morikawa" because the latter is still top secret knowledge).
Bank Statements. Himuro was going over bank accounts at the Morikawa house in Gunma. If you're interested what it said, it shows that the couple had been donating money to the cult, ranging from 20 to 50 thousand yen. And they're receiving money (probably pension) from something called "JA Gunma Tatebaya".
"Sokushin-sama". Satoshi's parents called his dead body "Sokushin-sama". "Sokushin" comes from "Sokushinbutsu" [即身仏] which is a Buddhist mummy which in Japan, "refers to the practice of Buddhist monks observing asceticism to the point of death and entering mummification while alive." (source: wiki)
"S". Public Security is known to use spies or informants in their investigations, (or go undercover themselves like in Ep 1 when during his tailing of Gunji, Takano spotted team leader Sakuma in undercover guise infiltrating a probably left-leaning workers organization). This investigative technique is called "acquisition work" (獲得作業 = Kakutoku sagyō) to create informants within the target organization. (source: wiki)
Episode 3 notes
"Tafuranke". In the past series, we know Takano is smart and contributes greatly to criminal cases but probably holds back to let Kisaragi exercise her deductive skills, to enable her to grow and develop as a detective. Here, after having to adjust to Public Security ways in the first two episodes, he finally gets to showcase his talent, giving us a glimpse of how deeply smart and knowledgeable he is in this episode.
Takano was called "tafuranke" which is a word that means "fool" used in Hokkaido, Ainu, and Tsugaru dialects. Takano made a guess and said the man was from "Tomakomai" and "Niikappu" which are towns in Hokkaido.
Kaisan [解散式]. After finding the bomb, Takano still went to the office to mull over the case. Sakuma told him "we don't do kaisan here like in the Criminal Dept". "Kaisan" means "dispersal or breaking up ceremony" which can take place in an organization, company or parliament. Here, when a criminal case is over and the criminal/s are caught, a formal meeting is held to declare that the case is over, reflect on what happened, police units that were temporarily formed can now be dissolved, and officers can go back to their respective units, posts, and offices.
Episode 4 notes
Aiba Machiko. Character portrayed by Kikuchi Rinko. For those who haven't watched the 4th installment of the series, "Chou no Rikigaku: Satsujin Bunsekihan", Aiba Machiko is a psychopath serial killer who worked as a pathologist. She does autopsy while her victims are still alive. She collects the fingers of her victims as well. If you can't tell what she was drawing in this episode, it looked like a drawing of a body cut open from neck to groin, showing the organs inside (ribs, stomach, etc).
Suji Yomi [筋読み]. Takano invited his Public Security team to do "suji yomi" or what I call in the subs, "scenario analysis". I couldn't find any formal definition on this. But it literally means "plot reading". It could also mean "reading between the lines". So in this episode's context, police would do "suji yomi" to discuss and analyze details of the case, hear each other's opinions and thoughts, come up with different scenarios of possible whos, whys, and hows, and investigate going forward with the best possible angle or theory. It could be done in a formal setting, or in just normal conversations during their coffee or lunch break. Other professions who would also do "suji yomi" are shogi or go players (in their heads, not with others), and prosecution lawyers.
You may ask, if Public Security doesn't normally do "suji yomi", then how do they do their cases? I'm guessing all info found are given to the top brass or senior members of the team, who will do the analysis, then hand down instructions to their subordinates on what to do next. Again, maybe the reason for this is secrecy, therefore there is no free discussion of the case among all team agents.
Sotsugyō Bunshū [卒業文集]. A collection of essays written by graduating students. It's published like a school's yearbook. Suspect Odagiri wrote an essay in his school's "sotsugyo bunshu" telling about using his pencil down to the stub when he was a student because he couldn't afford to buy school supplies. And that is how Public Security knew about it.
"Give the D1 guys time to roam freely a bit". Takano used a Public Security tactic of pouncing in when the time is right. He literally said, "give them time to swim a bit." "Oyogaseru" [泳がす] or "to let it swim", in police slang, is normally used for a suspect and means "to let them alone or roam freely while monitoring them until you have enough evidence to get an arrest warrant". In this episode, Takano means "I'll wait for the right time or a good chance" to swoop in and "steal" info from D1.
Himuro said, "You're now speaking the Public Security's language". Public Security would let a person of interest "roam freely" for days, even for years, until they get enough evidence to make arrests. Since their suspects usually involve a larger network of people, it takes longer for them (compared to criminal departments) to gather the evidence needed to arrest and prosecute them all.
Episode 5 notes
Minzoku Kyōtō Sensen [民族共闘戦線]. The name of the leftist org, "MinKyo" for short. If literally translated, it means "Japanese Race-Joint Struggle-Front" or "People-United Front-Front". I settled with "People's United Front" and "PUF" for short. (The closest real life leftist group that has a similar name is the "Palestinian Popular Struggle Front").
Sogiya [葬儀屋]. It means "funeral director", "undertaker". I wanted to name it "The Mortician" but since it was mentioned as "SGY", there's no choice but to retain the Japanese name.
Episode 6 notes
Daruma Ryukin. Ryukin goldfish is "a short deep-bodied fancy goldfish with a characteristic hump in the shoulder region. (...) A fine aquarium fish that can reach up to 8 inches (21 centimeters) in length." Kunieda's pet goldfish is a Daruma Ryukin, a variant of Ryukin. It has a rounder shape and a shorter tail fin.
(source: wiki)
PUF Signs. If you're wondering what's written in the posters displayed on the walls of the PUF headquarters: "Fight for the Future", "Be Prepared", "We must not allow incompetent adults to win".
Episode 7 notes
Ancient Egyptian Myth Concepts:.
Judgment of the Dead. "To the ancient Egyptians, the judgment of the dead was the process that allowed the Egyptian gods to judge the worthiness of the souls of the deceased." Read more here: wiki
Ammit (also "Ammut", "Ahemait"). "A goddess in ancient Egyptian religion with the forequarters of a lion, the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, and the head of a crocodile—the three largest "man-eating" animals known to ancient Egyptians. A funerary deity, her titles included "Devourer of the Dead", "Eater of Hearts", and "Great of Death". Read more here: wiki
Aaru. Where pure souls go to if they pass the Judgment of the Dead. "Known also as the Field of Reeds, is the heavenly paradise where Osiris rules." Read more here: wiki
Names of Fictional Organizations Mentioned.
Minsei-To [民誠党]. The political party of slain parliament member Shindo. It translates as "People's Integrity Party" which is a democratic party. In the subs, I called it just "Minsei Party"
Zenkyaku Rengokai [全革連合会]. Leftist org that Shindo and Kasahara were a part of. It translates as "All-Revolution Federation". In the subs, I retained the Japanese name.
Komonkai [虎紋会]. The splinter group formed by Shindo, etc. after they broke away from Zenkyaku Rengokai. It translates as "Tiger Crest Party".
Episode 8 notes
"It's hard to tell a poor thinker from a sleeping one" (下手の考え休むに似たり). It means "they to whom only bad ideas come might as well be asleep", or "inadequate ideas are worse than none at all". Poor Mizoguchi was trying to analyze the case ala Takano but his Senpai tells him to knock it off since if he's not as good as Takano in reasoning skills, then he might as well quit.
Episode 9 notes
Yoshikawa Marks. Or "Yoshikawa line" (吉川線). These are "recognized as a defensive wound due to the removal of the epidermis of the neck of the victim who was strangled." It occurs when the victim tries to loosen the string or the criminal's arm used for strangling, causing the victim to scratch his own neck. As a result, blood and skin fragments are often attached to the victim's nails. It can determine whether the victim committed suicide by hanging himself or if he was strangled. It was named after Yoshikawa Choichi (1885-1949), who was the chief of the forensics section of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
(info source: plala)
Maat. Also, "Ma'at". It is "the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Maat was also the goddess who personified these concepts, and regulated the stars, seasons, and the actions of mortals and the deities who had brought order from chaos at the moment of creation." Read more here: wiki
The True Meaning of "KomonKai". The new Sogiya has revealed the real meaning of "Komonkai": "Komon" stands from "Common Cold Genome" and "Kai" stands for "Kaihen" (modification) = "Common Cold Genome Modification".
Apophis. Also "Apep" "Apepi" "Aapep". The virus is named after this, the ancient Egyptian deity who embodied chaos and was thus the opponent of light and Maat (order/truth). Read more here: wiki
Japanese Terrorism Attacks Response Units. Here are some of the units mentioned, that were created to respond to terrorist acts and attempts, and to protect the public from weapons of mass destruction:
NBC Terrorism Response Specialist Unit [NBCテロ対応専門部隊]. A security force of the Japanese police that responds to terrorism and crimes that utilize nuclear/biological/chemical or NBC weapons. It is positioned as one of the terrorism response units by the National Police Agency or NPA. (source info: ja.wiki)
Public Security Mobile Investigation Corps [公安機動捜査隊]. This unit is mainly in charge of initial investigation of terrorist incidents using explosives, special forensic activities, and research on NBC terrorism. When a bomb terrorist attacks or a guerrilla incident occurs, this unit will promptly rush to the scene and conduct an initial investigation such as asking around the scene and securing witnesses. In addition, they also carry out forensic activities unique to Public Security, such as timed ignition equipment and analysis of explosives. (source info: ja.wiki)
Special Defense Forces' Chemical Protection Corps [化学防護隊]. This unit will scout the area contaminated with radioactive substances and decontaminate the contaminated personnel and equipment using various chemical equipment. They detect and remove NBC weapons to prevent the spread of damage caused by special weapon attacks. (source info: ja.wiki)
The Central NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Weapons) Defense Unit (CNBC) [中央特殊武器防護隊]. It is a mobile operation unit under the direct control of the Ground Self-Defense Forces Component Command, which is stationed at the Omiya station in Kita Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. It is a chemistry unit specializing in weapons of mass destruction. Its predecessor is the 101st Chemical Protection Corps, known for being dispatched in the Subway Sarin Attack of 1995. (source info: ja.wiki)
Episode 10 notes
"Iwakan" [違和感]. This has been Takano's byword all throughout the drama. It means a "feeling of wrongness, out of joint, incongruity, discomfort". He first mentioned it in Ep 1 when he finds something wrong with the way the murderer was killing the victim in a grotesque manner while judging him to be innocent at the same time. In the subs, I initially translated it as "a sense of discrepancy". In the end, I changed it to "something feels off".
"The Cult in 1995". While the gov't bureaucrats were arguing, they mentioned about "the cult in 1995". They were referring to the Sarin Subway Train Attack.
Koseki [戸籍]. Japanese family register. "Japanese law requires all Japanese households (basically defined as married couples and their unmarried children) to make notifications of their vital records (such as births, acknowledgements of paternity, adoptions, deaths, marriages and divorces) to their local authority, which compiles such records encompassing all Japanese citizens within their jurisdiction. Marriages, divorces by mutual consent, acknowledgements of paternity of non-marital children and adoptions (among others) become legally effective only when such events are recorded in the koseki. Births and deaths become legally effective as they happen, but such events must be filed by family members or other persons as allowed by law."
(source info: ja.wiki)
Division 5, Public Security Bureau. As you know, Takano works for Division 5 which is under the First Intelligence Department of PSB. It deals with leftist organizations. There are other sections and divisions that deal with well-known/major leftist groups but Division 5 is tasked with investigating other domestic pro-left groups. In this episode, we see for the first time, Sakuma's boss, the head of Division 5 (played by Maekawa Yasuyuki).
The "Town". If you're interested in knowing what town where the Sogiya hid, and supposedly ground zero for the virus, it's in Minamisenju, Arakawa (according to the address of recipient for the delivery). The exact area is "Sanbaso" which is fictional but it's probably based on San'ya (located in Minamisenju). Sanya is known as a slum town, with lots of homeless people and drunk oji-san sleeping in the streets. For reasons, "San'ya is ridiculed as the 'district of abandoned people'. In recent years, the aging of San'ya's principal residents, the day laborers, and the decreasing population have become problems. From this fact, it is said that 'The town of day laborers' is in the process of becoming 'The town of welfare'." Read more here: wiki and see some pictures here: tokyotimes
The Autopsy Drawing. The scene when Aiba Machiko was drawing, it finally showed that the autopsied body that she was drawing was that of Takano's. If you haven't watched the 4th installment "Chou no Rikigaku", Takano was almost the victim of Machiko. Machiko was close to cutting his chest open but... well, I'll just let you watch the drama.
Takano's Contribution. "Being the odd one out leads to innovation." Takano's being different was helpful in making significant changes to Sakuma Team's approach to handling cases. If you notice in this final episode, the team has started to employ Takano's investigative techniques: "scenario analysis", using Takano's favorite word "iwakan" and trusting their gut; and sharing of opinions. And in the final scene, they even did a "kaisan" or police unit dispersal ceremony which they do not normally do.
No Kisaragi Toko. Too bad Takano's former Section 11 partner Kisaragi Toko did not appear at all. However, in Ep1, when Hayase was at the crime scene, he answered his phone, and it was Kisaragi on the line (I failed to indicate that in the subs). Hayase told her on the phone, to stand by outside the building along with the others and wait, since Public Security is checking the scene first. That means, there is a probability that Takano met her and Section 11 outside when his own team was done.
Link to Drama Subs: (HERE)
Introduction:
This drama is a spin-off of the "Satsujin Bunsekihan" or "Homicide Analysis Team" series of detective novels by Asami Kazushi that were adapted previously for TV by WOWOW. They were all subbed by avieamber/ritsu (avanpiper@twitter).
If you are not familiar but interested in finding out more, you can get the subs here (1st) (2nd) (3rd) (4th). (You have to log in to d-addicts btw)
If you don't have time to watch them all, I suggest you watch the 1st one to get an understanding and background of Section 11 of Division 1 and their group dynamics, and Inspector Takano's character. And then, watch the 4th installment, because it has some connection to this latest drama, and explains why Takano chose to be transferred to Public Security.
Asami started a spin-off series, "Kouan Bunseki-han" (Public Security Analysis Team), this time with Takano as protagonist, with the release of 2 novels in 2021: "Jashin no Tenbin" (Scale of an Evil God), and "Nisegami no Shinpan" (Judgment of a False God). These are the what this latest drama is based on.
Episode 1 notes:
Takano Hideaki. Character played by Aoki Munetaka. Formerly of Section 11, Division 1, Criminal Investigation Department, MPD. He's a quiet guy and rarely smiles. He often takes pictures of the crime scene, and likes to drink tomato juice. His partner at Section 11 was Kisaragi Toko (played by Kimura Fumino) who was the protagonist in that series. His ranking is 警部補 (Keibuho). Before, according to official English police ranking counterpart, it was translated as "Assistant Police Inspector", but since 2013, it has been officially changed to "Inspector" or "Lieutenant". His superior is called "Chief Inspector". (info source: ja.wiki)
Asami started a spin-off series, "Kouan Bunseki-han" (Public Security Analysis Team), this time with Takano as protagonist, with the release of 2 novels in 2021: "Jashin no Tenbin" (Scale of an Evil God), and "Nisegami no Shinpan" (Judgment of a False God). These are the what this latest drama is based on.
Episode 1 notes:
Takano Hideaki. Character played by Aoki Munetaka. Formerly of Section 11, Division 1, Criminal Investigation Department, MPD. He's a quiet guy and rarely smiles. He often takes pictures of the crime scene, and likes to drink tomato juice. His partner at Section 11 was Kisaragi Toko (played by Kimura Fumino) who was the protagonist in that series. His ranking is 警部補 (Keibuho). Before, according to official English police ranking counterpart, it was translated as "Assistant Police Inspector", but since 2013, it has been officially changed to "Inspector" or "Lieutenant". His superior is called "Chief Inspector". (info source: ja.wiki)
If you notice, in this series and past series, Takano and other policemen with the same ranking were addressed as [主任] or "Shunin" ("Takano-shunin"). "Shunin" in English means "chief" or "person-in-charge". I am not sure why they're called such, I have to do more research on it but I presume it was a practice common with them, or more like a nickname for someone with such a ranking. In the subs, I at first tried to retain "Takano-shunin" but for personal preference (and it matches the atmosphere of this drama which has a more serious tone than the other series), decided on the more formal "Inspector Takano" for now.
MPD Public Security Bureau. [警視庁公安部], Keishichō-kouanbu. Also "Public Safety". It's "in charge of public security with jurisdiction over the Tokyo metropolis... The main focus of the PSB are activities which threaten national security and therefore, their work is similar to Special Branches of British and Commonwealth police forces" rather than the United States' FBI. They are portrayed in dramas as handling cases involving extremist groups: rightists, leftists, religious cults, etc. whose activities pose a threat to the public (bombings, poison gas attacks, etc). (source: wiki)
In the subs, I wanted to use "Public Safety" so as not to be confused with "SP" or "Security Police" which is another bureau in MPD. But in this episode, there were signs that says in English "Public Security" so I went with that.
Police vs Public Security. It's common belief that both departments don't like each other, mainly because of the issue of trust. It's already explained in this episode (by Team Leader Sakuma) that cases they've been working for months or years can fall into ruin if info is leaked. Since Public Security cases can involve a larger number of people affected, they are given more freedom in their investigations which include trailing, breaking-in, and surveillance. Because of that, MPD police may probably resent Public Security for their "special powers", and their lordly ways.
Tailing and monitoring. Public Security would track a suspect or person of interest 24/7, with agents taking shifts. They call this "Kodo Kakunin" [行動確認] or "KoKaku" [行確] for short, which means "behavior confirmation". It's an investigation which takes note of a person's daily activities through tailing, and surveillance. As shown in this episode, Takano got a crash course in Public Security-style tracking and tailing.
Surveillance Codes. They also used some codes. I am not sure if these are codes made up by the writers/author of the drama, because I researched some of them, and came up with nothing:
They called the person being tracked as "Marutai" (which I translated as "X"). I read somewhere that "Marutai" is also used by SP for the person they're protecting.
"Cleaning" means when "Marutai" looks around if someone is following him/her.
Their code for the bomb" is [マル爆] or "Marubaku". "Baku" means explode, explosion, erupt, burst (In the subs, I called it just plain "bomb" haha). What's with the use of "maru" (circle) in codes (which is usually used as code for organized crime or yakuza)? Sorry, I still have to do more research on that.
During their second surveillance, they use business terms for codes. "Sales", "Sales Car", "Branch Office". They called Marutai's hideout "mise" or the shop ("Marutai is entering the shop"). That might have been a code too but I wasn't sure. The hideout didn't look like a shop though, just an abandoned compound.
Division 1, Criminal Investigation Department, MPD. I'm sure you're familiar with this already. This Division is responsible for violent crimes such as murder, robbery, assault, assault, kidnapping, housebreaking, sex crimes, arson, etc., which are called "hard crimes". In Japanese it's 捜査一課 or "Sousaikka", can be shortened to 捜一 or "Sou-Ichi" (in the subs, I translated it as D1). Takano's former unit was Section 11.
"Brace yourself". "Kakugo-shiro" [覚悟しろ]. If you notice, Section 11 Captain Hayase (played by Watanabe Ikkei) has been saying this line, ever since the second installment. As Team Captain, he is the first on the scene, and warns his subordinates to brace themselves before entering the grotesque scene of a crime.
Episode 2 notes:
Gunji's Interrogation. If you're wondering what's with the pictures they were showing him, they're making a point to show him that Public Security will go over into every detail of his private life just to rattle him up and make him confess. Family, past acquaintances and friends, and even his ex-girlfriend's private lives and bank accounts are being dug up, to see if fake Morikawa has any connection with him or them (notice they said "man who called himself Morikawa" and not "fake Morikawa" because the latter is still top secret knowledge).
Bank Statements. Himuro was going over bank accounts at the Morikawa house in Gunma. If you're interested what it said, it shows that the couple had been donating money to the cult, ranging from 20 to 50 thousand yen. And they're receiving money (probably pension) from something called "JA Gunma Tatebaya".
"Sokushin-sama". Satoshi's parents called his dead body "Sokushin-sama". "Sokushin" comes from "Sokushinbutsu" [即身仏] which is a Buddhist mummy which in Japan, "refers to the practice of Buddhist monks observing asceticism to the point of death and entering mummification while alive." (source: wiki)
"S". Public Security is known to use spies or informants in their investigations, (or go undercover themselves like in Ep 1 when during his tailing of Gunji, Takano spotted team leader Sakuma in undercover guise infiltrating a probably left-leaning workers organization). This investigative technique is called "acquisition work" (獲得作業 = Kakutoku sagyō) to create informants within the target organization. (source: wiki)
Episode 3 notes
"Tafuranke". In the past series, we know Takano is smart and contributes greatly to criminal cases but probably holds back to let Kisaragi exercise her deductive skills, to enable her to grow and develop as a detective. Here, after having to adjust to Public Security ways in the first two episodes, he finally gets to showcase his talent, giving us a glimpse of how deeply smart and knowledgeable he is in this episode.
Takano was called "tafuranke" which is a word that means "fool" used in Hokkaido, Ainu, and Tsugaru dialects. Takano made a guess and said the man was from "Tomakomai" and "Niikappu" which are towns in Hokkaido.
Kaisan [解散式]. After finding the bomb, Takano still went to the office to mull over the case. Sakuma told him "we don't do kaisan here like in the Criminal Dept". "Kaisan" means "dispersal or breaking up ceremony" which can take place in an organization, company or parliament. Here, when a criminal case is over and the criminal/s are caught, a formal meeting is held to declare that the case is over, reflect on what happened, police units that were temporarily formed can now be dissolved, and officers can go back to their respective units, posts, and offices.
Episode 4 notes
Aiba Machiko. Character portrayed by Kikuchi Rinko. For those who haven't watched the 4th installment of the series, "Chou no Rikigaku: Satsujin Bunsekihan", Aiba Machiko is a psychopath serial killer who worked as a pathologist. She does autopsy while her victims are still alive. She collects the fingers of her victims as well. If you can't tell what she was drawing in this episode, it looked like a drawing of a body cut open from neck to groin, showing the organs inside (ribs, stomach, etc).
Suji Yomi [筋読み]. Takano invited his Public Security team to do "suji yomi" or what I call in the subs, "scenario analysis". I couldn't find any formal definition on this. But it literally means "plot reading". It could also mean "reading between the lines". So in this episode's context, police would do "suji yomi" to discuss and analyze details of the case, hear each other's opinions and thoughts, come up with different scenarios of possible whos, whys, and hows, and investigate going forward with the best possible angle or theory. It could be done in a formal setting, or in just normal conversations during their coffee or lunch break. Other professions who would also do "suji yomi" are shogi or go players (in their heads, not with others), and prosecution lawyers.
You may ask, if Public Security doesn't normally do "suji yomi", then how do they do their cases? I'm guessing all info found are given to the top brass or senior members of the team, who will do the analysis, then hand down instructions to their subordinates on what to do next. Again, maybe the reason for this is secrecy, therefore there is no free discussion of the case among all team agents.
Sotsugyō Bunshū [卒業文集]. A collection of essays written by graduating students. It's published like a school's yearbook. Suspect Odagiri wrote an essay in his school's "sotsugyo bunshu" telling about using his pencil down to the stub when he was a student because he couldn't afford to buy school supplies. And that is how Public Security knew about it.
"Give the D1 guys time to roam freely a bit". Takano used a Public Security tactic of pouncing in when the time is right. He literally said, "give them time to swim a bit." "Oyogaseru" [泳がす] or "to let it swim", in police slang, is normally used for a suspect and means "to let them alone or roam freely while monitoring them until you have enough evidence to get an arrest warrant". In this episode, Takano means "I'll wait for the right time or a good chance" to swoop in and "steal" info from D1.
Himuro said, "You're now speaking the Public Security's language". Public Security would let a person of interest "roam freely" for days, even for years, until they get enough evidence to make arrests. Since their suspects usually involve a larger network of people, it takes longer for them (compared to criminal departments) to gather the evidence needed to arrest and prosecute them all.
Episode 5 notes
Minzoku Kyōtō Sensen [民族共闘戦線]. The name of the leftist org, "MinKyo" for short. If literally translated, it means "Japanese Race-Joint Struggle-Front" or "People-United Front-Front". I settled with "People's United Front" and "PUF" for short. (The closest real life leftist group that has a similar name is the "Palestinian Popular Struggle Front").
Sogiya [葬儀屋]. It means "funeral director", "undertaker". I wanted to name it "The Mortician" but since it was mentioned as "SGY", there's no choice but to retain the Japanese name.
Episode 6 notes
Daruma Ryukin. Ryukin goldfish is "a short deep-bodied fancy goldfish with a characteristic hump in the shoulder region. (...) A fine aquarium fish that can reach up to 8 inches (21 centimeters) in length." Kunieda's pet goldfish is a Daruma Ryukin, a variant of Ryukin. It has a rounder shape and a shorter tail fin.
(source: wiki)
PUF Signs. If you're wondering what's written in the posters displayed on the walls of the PUF headquarters: "Fight for the Future", "Be Prepared", "We must not allow incompetent adults to win".
Episode 7 notes
Ancient Egyptian Myth Concepts:.
Judgment of the Dead. "To the ancient Egyptians, the judgment of the dead was the process that allowed the Egyptian gods to judge the worthiness of the souls of the deceased." Read more here: wiki
Ammit (also "Ammut", "Ahemait"). "A goddess in ancient Egyptian religion with the forequarters of a lion, the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, and the head of a crocodile—the three largest "man-eating" animals known to ancient Egyptians. A funerary deity, her titles included "Devourer of the Dead", "Eater of Hearts", and "Great of Death". Read more here: wiki
Aaru. Where pure souls go to if they pass the Judgment of the Dead. "Known also as the Field of Reeds, is the heavenly paradise where Osiris rules." Read more here: wiki
Names of Fictional Organizations Mentioned.
Minsei-To [民誠党]. The political party of slain parliament member Shindo. It translates as "People's Integrity Party" which is a democratic party. In the subs, I called it just "Minsei Party"
Zenkyaku Rengokai [全革連合会]. Leftist org that Shindo and Kasahara were a part of. It translates as "All-Revolution Federation". In the subs, I retained the Japanese name.
Komonkai [虎紋会]. The splinter group formed by Shindo, etc. after they broke away from Zenkyaku Rengokai. It translates as "Tiger Crest Party".
Episode 8 notes
"It's hard to tell a poor thinker from a sleeping one" (下手の考え休むに似たり). It means "they to whom only bad ideas come might as well be asleep", or "inadequate ideas are worse than none at all". Poor Mizoguchi was trying to analyze the case ala Takano but his Senpai tells him to knock it off since if he's not as good as Takano in reasoning skills, then he might as well quit.
Episode 9 notes
Yoshikawa Marks. Or "Yoshikawa line" (吉川線). These are "recognized as a defensive wound due to the removal of the epidermis of the neck of the victim who was strangled." It occurs when the victim tries to loosen the string or the criminal's arm used for strangling, causing the victim to scratch his own neck. As a result, blood and skin fragments are often attached to the victim's nails. It can determine whether the victim committed suicide by hanging himself or if he was strangled. It was named after Yoshikawa Choichi (1885-1949), who was the chief of the forensics section of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
(info source: plala)
Maat. Also, "Ma'at". It is "the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Maat was also the goddess who personified these concepts, and regulated the stars, seasons, and the actions of mortals and the deities who had brought order from chaos at the moment of creation." Read more here: wiki
The True Meaning of "KomonKai". The new Sogiya has revealed the real meaning of "Komonkai": "Komon" stands from "Common Cold Genome" and "Kai" stands for "Kaihen" (modification) = "Common Cold Genome Modification".
Apophis. Also "Apep" "Apepi" "Aapep". The virus is named after this, the ancient Egyptian deity who embodied chaos and was thus the opponent of light and Maat (order/truth). Read more here: wiki
Japanese Terrorism Attacks Response Units. Here are some of the units mentioned, that were created to respond to terrorist acts and attempts, and to protect the public from weapons of mass destruction:
NBC Terrorism Response Specialist Unit [NBCテロ対応専門部隊]. A security force of the Japanese police that responds to terrorism and crimes that utilize nuclear/biological/chemical or NBC weapons. It is positioned as one of the terrorism response units by the National Police Agency or NPA. (source info: ja.wiki)
Public Security Mobile Investigation Corps [公安機動捜査隊]. This unit is mainly in charge of initial investigation of terrorist incidents using explosives, special forensic activities, and research on NBC terrorism. When a bomb terrorist attacks or a guerrilla incident occurs, this unit will promptly rush to the scene and conduct an initial investigation such as asking around the scene and securing witnesses. In addition, they also carry out forensic activities unique to Public Security, such as timed ignition equipment and analysis of explosives. (source info: ja.wiki)
Special Defense Forces' Chemical Protection Corps [化学防護隊]. This unit will scout the area contaminated with radioactive substances and decontaminate the contaminated personnel and equipment using various chemical equipment. They detect and remove NBC weapons to prevent the spread of damage caused by special weapon attacks. (source info: ja.wiki)
The Central NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Weapons) Defense Unit (CNBC) [中央特殊武器防護隊]. It is a mobile operation unit under the direct control of the Ground Self-Defense Forces Component Command, which is stationed at the Omiya station in Kita Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. It is a chemistry unit specializing in weapons of mass destruction. Its predecessor is the 101st Chemical Protection Corps, known for being dispatched in the Subway Sarin Attack of 1995. (source info: ja.wiki)
Episode 10 notes
"Iwakan" [違和感]. This has been Takano's byword all throughout the drama. It means a "feeling of wrongness, out of joint, incongruity, discomfort". He first mentioned it in Ep 1 when he finds something wrong with the way the murderer was killing the victim in a grotesque manner while judging him to be innocent at the same time. In the subs, I initially translated it as "a sense of discrepancy". In the end, I changed it to "something feels off".
"The Cult in 1995". While the gov't bureaucrats were arguing, they mentioned about "the cult in 1995". They were referring to the Sarin Subway Train Attack.
Koseki [戸籍]. Japanese family register. "Japanese law requires all Japanese households (basically defined as married couples and their unmarried children) to make notifications of their vital records (such as births, acknowledgements of paternity, adoptions, deaths, marriages and divorces) to their local authority, which compiles such records encompassing all Japanese citizens within their jurisdiction. Marriages, divorces by mutual consent, acknowledgements of paternity of non-marital children and adoptions (among others) become legally effective only when such events are recorded in the koseki. Births and deaths become legally effective as they happen, but such events must be filed by family members or other persons as allowed by law."
(source info: ja.wiki)
Division 5, Public Security Bureau. As you know, Takano works for Division 5 which is under the First Intelligence Department of PSB. It deals with leftist organizations. There are other sections and divisions that deal with well-known/major leftist groups but Division 5 is tasked with investigating other domestic pro-left groups. In this episode, we see for the first time, Sakuma's boss, the head of Division 5 (played by Maekawa Yasuyuki).
The "Town". If you're interested in knowing what town where the Sogiya hid, and supposedly ground zero for the virus, it's in Minamisenju, Arakawa (according to the address of recipient for the delivery). The exact area is "Sanbaso" which is fictional but it's probably based on San'ya (located in Minamisenju). Sanya is known as a slum town, with lots of homeless people and drunk oji-san sleeping in the streets. For reasons, "San'ya is ridiculed as the 'district of abandoned people'. In recent years, the aging of San'ya's principal residents, the day laborers, and the decreasing population have become problems. From this fact, it is said that 'The town of day laborers' is in the process of becoming 'The town of welfare'." Read more here: wiki and see some pictures here: tokyotimes
The Autopsy Drawing. The scene when Aiba Machiko was drawing, it finally showed that the autopsied body that she was drawing was that of Takano's. If you haven't watched the 4th installment "Chou no Rikigaku", Takano was almost the victim of Machiko. Machiko was close to cutting his chest open but... well, I'll just let you watch the drama.
Takano's Contribution. "Being the odd one out leads to innovation." Takano's being different was helpful in making significant changes to Sakuma Team's approach to handling cases. If you notice in this final episode, the team has started to employ Takano's investigative techniques: "scenario analysis", using Takano's favorite word "iwakan" and trusting their gut; and sharing of opinions. And in the final scene, they even did a "kaisan" or police unit dispersal ceremony which they do not normally do.
No Kisaragi Toko. Too bad Takano's former Section 11 partner Kisaragi Toko did not appear at all. However, in Ep1, when Hayase was at the crime scene, he answered his phone, and it was Kisaragi on the line (I failed to indicate that in the subs). Hayase told her on the phone, to stand by outside the building along with the others and wait, since Public Security is checking the scene first. That means, there is a probability that Takano met her and Section 11 outside when his own team was done.
Link to Drama Subs: (HERE)
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