The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) held on October 22, 2008 at the Meiji Kinenkan, also included a ceremony for the 1st Tokyo Drama Awards.

As part of efforts to distribute Japanese television dramas into the global market, TIFF, in its second year, is an event to assist the overseas dissemination of Japanese contents. (Hosted by the Executive Committee of TIFFCOM; co-hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Co-sponsored by Dentsu Inc. and Hakuhodo Inc.; Cooperation from TIFFCOM, Official HP: http://nab.or.jp/drafes/)

The "Tokyo Drama Awards" were newly incorporated into TIFF to unearth programs that are geared toward overseas distribution. Rather than to emphasize artistic caliber and high quality of programming as the standards, this award focuses on marketability and commercial potential.

Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV) was awarded the Best Family Drama Award for "SAITOU san." Actress Alisa Mizuki, who played the leading role, attended the awards ceremony.

At a time when Japan is seen as brimming with opportunism, the drama realistically and persuasively depicts a group of young mothers who put aside their opinions in order to maintain group harmony versus the leading character who says what needs to be said, even when it's something people would rather not hear. Judges commented that unlike the original comic book version, the television drama provides a different flavor.

NTV will continue to deliver engaging, high-quality programs that can be enjoyed both domestically as well as internationally.

Public Relations
Executive Administration
Nippon Television Network Corporation