Yasashii Neko (2023)

Miyuki, a single mother and nursery teacher, meets Sri Lankan Kumara while visiting Tohoku as a disaster volunteer. A year later, the two of them who fulfilled a fateful reunion are gradually attracted to each other. Straightforward and charming, Kumara quickly becomes friends with Miyuki's daughter, Maya, and eventually, the three begin to live together like a family. Miyuki and Kumara exchange promises of marriage, but it is short-lived happiness.

Shortly after submitting her marriage registration and officially becoming a couple, Kumara is questioned by the police and placed in an immigration facility and ordered to be deported to her home country for overstaying. Kumara and Miyuki are in despair after being suspected of a fake marriage at the oral hearing. Visitation at the immigration office is only for 30 minutes through an acrylic board.

Miyuki and Maya are overwhelmed with anger at the unreasonable response and frustration that they can't help, but they visit lawyer Megumi Koichiro with a little hope. The only way to save Kumara is to file a lawsuit, win over the judgment, and obtain special permission to stay. He just wants to live with his family of three... He keeps a small wish in his heart and challenges the battle against the country.

(Source: Japanese = NHK)

Adapted from the novel "Yasashii Neko" (やさしい猫) by Nakajima Kyoko (中島京子).

Episodes: 5

Duration: 49 min.

Aired On: Saturday