Stage greeting to commemorate the release of the film "Nagi Diary"

Following its world premiere in the competition section of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival, Koji Fukada's latest film, "Nagi Diary," finally premiered in Japan on September 25th (Friday) (currently showing at Shinjuku Piccadilly, Eurospace, and other theaters nationwide). To commemorate the film's release, a special stage greeting event was held at Shinjuku Piccadilly on September 26th (Saturday). Director Koji Fukada, lead actress Takako Matsu, and co-stars Shizuka Ishibashi, Kenichi Matsuyama, Kazuki Kawaguchi, and Sei Fujiwara, along with the rest of the star-studded cast, appeared on stage.

◆This film begins with Yuri, played by Ishibashi, coming to visit. Has the relationship between Matsu and Ishibashi, who have worked together before, influenced this film?

Matsu Takako: We met when we worked together on a stage production. We spent several months sharing everything with each other, so she's someone who has seen all of my good and bad times. However, this is the first time we've played characters who have so much dialogue, and I was looking forward to working with her this time. Rather than me trying to change the character of Yoriko, I hope that Yūri will see her as "wonderful" or "maybe that's how it is," and that she'll be a hint for Yūri's life. Shizuka's presence and perspective were the hints for my character, and I feel that the sense of security and trust we've built since meeting has also played a role in our relationship this time, which was enjoyable.

◆The character of Yoriko doesn't usually show much emotion on a daily basis, but there are moments when everything she's been holding back during the creative process suddenly bursts out. What did you feel while portraying that character?

Matsu: Personally, I think I might have been a little too frivolous (laughs). Yoriko is sometimes called "unfair," but I thought it was okay for someone like her to exist in a town like Nagi. I acted while imagining that it's okay for someone like her to quietly live within a community. In a world where the nature of Nagi accepts everything, Yoriko just happens to be a sculptor, someone who touches wood, someone who touches clay, and someone who knows Yuri—I acted with the feeling that she "just happened to be this kind of person."

◆How did you feel about your relationship with Ms. Matsu, Ms. Ishibashi?

Shizuka Ishibashi: I absolutely adore Takako Matsu (laughs). When we first worked together on stage, I had just started acting myself, and I simply admired her performance right in front of me. This time, we're playing sisters-in-law, so I approached the filming thinking I shouldn't be intimidated. But, as always, I was able to ride on the big ship that is Matsu-san, and I had a wonderful time.

◆What were your thoughts regarding Yuri?

Ishibashi: As I read the script, I found myself increasingly relating to the character, and I discovered that I actually felt this way myself. I was also going through a period where I was struggling with how I should live my life (as an actress). It was at that time that I was able to meet Yuri, a woman who is very fortunate and should be happy, but feels that something is lacking, that she is frustrated, and it led to my own growth. And for Yuri, Yoriko is a very important person, both a senior in life and like a sister. I believe that being able to act every day while feeling Matsu's presence up close was a time that resonated with the relationship between Yuri and Yoriko.

◆Mr. Matsuyama, you live a dual-location lifestyle between Tokyo and the countryside. What were your impressions of Yoshihiro, who lives in the Nagi area?

Kenichi Matsuyama: Yoshihiro works at the town hall and is also in charge of the town's broadcast. I often have the opportunity to listen to the broadcast in the countryside, but it can be difficult to understand (laughs). So, I consciously tried to act with a clear, slow, and pleasant voice. Also, while spending time in Nagi Town, Okayama Prefecture, where we filmed, I felt that people's way of thinking and living are influenced to some extent by the scenery and buildings.

◆What were your thoughts on your respective roles, Ms. Kawaguchi and Ms. Fujiwara?

Kazuki Kawaguchi: When I was playing Haruki, I wanted to differentiate him from Keita. When I thought about the difference, Keita has only been in Nagi for five years, while Haruki has been living in Nagi Town for a long time. So, I wanted to bring out the atmosphere that only Haruki, who grew up in Nagi, could have, and I gathered information by actually walking around the filming locations and confronting the character of Haruki.

Sei Fujiwara: Keita is shy, but I think he's a sensitive person who can sense the feelings and thoughts of those around him faster than anyone else. I myself have some similarities with Keita, so it was very easy for me to understand his feelings. However, I made sure to distinguish myself from Keita so that we wouldn't get mixed up, and I acted while being conscious of expressing his anxiety and resolve.

◆Director Fukada, what did you think of their acting?

Fukada: During the auditions, I got to see various scenes of Haruki and Keita, and they were really good. It was the first time I'd ever almost cried watching a scene I'd written, that's how good their acting was. Even after writing a script and deciding to "make a movie," of course there are times when you feel anxious or wonder, "Can I really do this?" But the scene from their audition made me want to see the finished version of this film.

◆This film includes scenes that touch upon loneliness and isolation. How do you, Ms. Matsu and Ms. Ishibashi, perceive these themes?

Matsu: Everyone has their own moments when they feel lonely, and I don't think it's reassuring to compare them. However, I also felt that there are moments when you have to be alone. Regarding isolation, I acted with the image that there might be a way of life that you can face. As for how to convey that, I just uttered the words, and I myself didn't put any emotion into the lines themselves. I feel that there are many moments in this work where those casual words have an impact on the other person. I remember saying the lines thinking that it would be more interesting if the meaning of the words expanded because Shizuka-chan, who plays Yuri, received them more than I expected.

Ishibashi: Yuri came to Nagi from the city, and personally, I think that cities, precisely because they have convenient systems, are environments where it's easy to become isolated. However, in a place like Nagi, where the power of nature is strong, you can't survive alone without someone's support. I think Yoriko's comments about loneliness and isolation are very realistic. That's probably why they resonated with Yuri.

◆I feel that Director Fukada's works express something that comes from within, rather than through dramatic plot developments. What were you conscious of when writing this script?

Koji Fukada: When making a film, I sometimes get caught up in the idea that "a story needs a big event or dramatic emotion." On the one hand, I think that a film can't exist without such things, but on the other hand, I think that just being alive is a big problem even without such things. When I make a film, I try not to think about themes or messages as much as possible, and I think that what's important is the motif and how you confront it. In the end, humans can't escape loneliness, and it's a problem that weighs on us just by being alive. In "Nagi Diary," small events happen, but there is no beginning or end, so to speak, and I was conscious of depicting the "middle" of being alive.

◆Finally, do you have any last words?

Matsu: I think everyone was able to feel the director's passion. It's a film about everyday life where something seems to have happened, and yet nothing seems to have happened, but I would be happy if you would watch it again if you are interested. Thank you very much for today.

Fukada: This film was screened at the Cabourg Film Festival in northern France after Cannes, where the director described it as a "romantic film." I personally find that interpretation quite fitting, and I think all the cast members might be romantics themselves. I would be happy if people could interpret it that way as well.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on May 26, 2026: Mio Ozawa, 2nd year student at Seijo University

The movie "Nagi Diary"
Now showing at Shinjuku Piccadilly, Eurospace, and other theaters nationwide.
Starring: Takako Matsu, Shizuka Ishibashi, Kenichi Matsuyama
Director/Screenplay: Koji Fukada
Distributed by: Star Sands
© 2026 Nagi Diary Partners (Star Sands/Hassaku Lab/Wonderstruck) / Survivance / Momo Film Co.
https://starsands.com/nagidiary

Kokugakuin University 1st year student, Kanki Ogawa / Seijo University 2nd year student, Mio Ozawa / Nihon University 2nd year student, Tatsushi Harada