What If Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa Was to Become the Prime Minister (もしも徳川家康が総理大臣になったら)

In 2020

the new coronavirus spread around the world

and started a global pandemic.

Japan was facing another problem that exacerbated the crisis.

The government's delay in taking action caused a shortage of masks

whose supply had already gone to other countries.

The Cabinet's approval rating plummeted to a dangerous low of 27 percent.

During a cluster outbreak in the prime minister's office

one Cabinet member after another contracted the virus

and the prime minister succumbed to the disease.

This state of emergency slowed down the formation of a new Cabinet

and triggered public outrage and turmoil in the nation.

IZUMO, the world's most advanced supercomputer

made in Japan.

AI technologies designed by the late Nobel laureate.

Takeshi Mizuguchi.

Advanced 3D-imaging technologies developed by Asahi Koken.

By the integration of such technologies…

The provisional administration convened an unprecedented Cabinet.

A Cabinet with a term of one year

comprised Japanese heroes from various eras that changed the nation's history.

I majored in world history.

I'm clueless about Japanese history.

The other correspondents are down with the virus.

I can't handle this…

This is a huge story.

If you cover it well, you can become an announcer that you aspire to be.

Really?

Hello.

Here are the members of the new Hero Cabinet.

Wow…

Hey, say something.

Okay.

The members of the new Cabinet are standing before us.

The birth of a Cabinet made up of famous Japanese historical figures.

"Ryoma Sakamoto."

"Yoshimune Tokugawa."

"Tsunayoshi Tokugawa."

"Prince Shotoku."

"Lady Murasaki."

"Masako Hojo."

"Yoshimitsu Ashikaga."

"Nobunaga Oda."

"Hideyoshi Toyotomi."

"Ieyasu Tokugawa."

That's Ieyasu Tokugawa…

You're extremely popular with the people of our country.

Me?

Yes, everybody loves you.

There are almost 100 statues of you in the country.

So many? Yes.

You're a national hero.

Me?

Hello, everyone. You're here already.

Let me introduce them.

Sir Tsunayoshi Tokugawa.

Sir Yoshimune Tokugawa.

I know.

The animal lover

and the "Unfettered Shogun".

Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakamoto, who overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Sir Mikoshiba!

Don't worry. You've all been programmed

with data of each other's backgrounds and relationships

without letting them influence

your thoughts and actions.

Sir Ieyasu is input with the fact

that you threatened his descendants

but he's programmed not to feel any hostility toward you.

I see. No wonder I don't feel any rage toward you.

Please take a seat.

Yes, sir.

Kamitsumiya no Umayato no Toyo…

Your name is very long so please shorten it to Prince Shotoku.

I thought I was the oldest.

A picture of me is on 2,000-yen bills.

Is this our mansion?

Thanks for showing me the way. You're all so lovely.

Why don't you be my concubines?

Stop it!

This is a sacred place for running our nation.

Don't raise your voice to me, Masako Hojo.

Mind your manners!

I heard that.

That was the point.

Where are you going?

Monkey!

Lord Nobunaga Oda.

Right here, my lord.

Please take your seats now.

The prime minister is here.

Our great ancestor.

Raise your heads.

We don't have a lot of time.

Let us start our administration.

Yes, sir.

"What if SHOGUN Ieyasu Tokugawa was to Become the Prime Minister."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakamoto.

You have to get a scoop

if you want your transfer.

Okay. A scoop…

Mr. Ryoma! Look this way!

Are they here to see the Black Ships?

He can talk.

Quiet!

Back to your seats.

"I'm about to say something important zeyo."

I can't talk over all this noise.

Shut up and listen!

The Hero Cabinet will mandate a lockdown

for the next month.

Lockdown?

An emergency ordinance ratified yesterday to contain the disease.

Nobody can leave their home

without proper authorization.

From today?

Yes.

Nationwide?

Yes.

That's crazy!

A violation of human rights!

Citizens need time to prepare!

Hush up!

Stop complaining.

Do storms and earthquakes wait until you're prepared?

No.

Saving lives is top priority.

So stay home zeyo!

But being locked up in our homes compromises our livelihood.

What should we do?

What do you say?

How do you justify it?

Yes, yes, Hideyoshi.

Yes, yes, Hideyoshi.

I am Hideyoshi, the great unifier of Japan.

That's Hideyoshi Toyotomi…

Status doesn't matter!

Have the spunk to trample over it!

Overcome any predicament with flair and pizzazz!

Now sing! Dance! Shout! Go crazy!

He caught everyone's attention and changed the atmosphere.

I don't like his vibes.

Listen, everybody.

The Ministry of Finance has decided

to pay 500,000 yen to each and every individual.

It's called the Hideyoshi Benefits!

That's a lot of money…

Everyone in the Land of the Rising Sun, even babies and foreigners

will receive 500,000 yen!

When do you plan the payout?

Let's see…

Within 10 days.

Give everyone 500,000 in 10 days?!

That's right!

My family will get 2.5 million.

Impossible.

It'll take at least a month.

How will you do it?

Ten days is not enough time.

You're all talk!

This is the Reiwa Period!

Do not worry!

Who do you think I am?

I'm the man who accomplished things

no one else could!

I'm Hideyoshi. Don't underestimate me!

But Sir Hideyoshi… What?

I wasn't consulted. How are we going to pay

100 million people in 10 days?

I don't know!

What?

That's not my job.

My job is to do three things.

One, make decisions.

Two, delegate tasks.

Three, take responsibility.

I've already decided to do this.

I've put State Minister of Finance Mitsunari Ishida in charge.

If anything goes wrong, I'll take the responsibility!

That's it!

This meeting is over.

Let's finish our jobs and go home zeyo.

Go! Okay.

One last question!

What is it?

Um…

Zeyo?

What does "zeyo" mean?

Hey, hey, hey… Nishimura!

You're trending all over the world zeyo.

What?

"Zeyo is just zeyo, zeyo!"

"What kind of question is that?"

You're kidding…

Your first question made headline news.

This is so embarrassing.

That question at that timing…

I couldn't think of anything else.

You did good. You made an impression on Mr. Ryoma.

I wish I could've done it differently.