[BS Nittele] 'That Time, the Song Played ~ Showa Masterpieces That Colored the Era ~' Airing Thursday, June 4th at 8 PM! A 2-Hour Special Looking Back at Showa 40 with Enka Singer Kazuko Mifune as Guest!

BS Nittele's program 'That Time, the Song Played ~ Showa Masterpieces That Colored the Era ~' will air a 2-hour special on Thursday, June 4th at 8 PM. The show will welcome enka singer Kazuko Mifune as a guest, looking back at the year Showa 40 (1965) and delivering timeless melodies.

■ Looking Back at Showa 40, an Era of Light and Shadow...

Arata Aoyama, Kaori Fujii, Sayaka Kamizono

This special focuses on Showa 40 (1965), the year following the Tokyo Olympics. It was a year of contrasts, where electric guitars and Ivy League fashion boomed, and the nation was excited by Shigeo Nagashima's lavish wedding reception, while on the other hand, 'dekasegi' (seasonal labor migration) from the Tohoku region became a social issue amid economic growth.

Hit songs from Showa 40 include 'Aishite Aishite Aishichattanoyo' (Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars and Miyoko Tashiro), 'Futari no Sekai' known for the sweet voice of movie star Yujiro Ishihara, and 'Ashita wa Sakou Hana Sakou' (Akira Mita & Sayuri Yoshinaga), a refreshing duet.

These precious melodies that accompanied the era will resonate on the Reiwa stage with new charm through respectful cover performances by today's talented artists!

■ This Time's Guest is Enka Singer Kazuko Mifune ~ Revealing the Touching Story Behind Her Comeback Song 'Danna-sama' ~

Kazuko Mifune

A representative song of Showa 40 is the melancholic enka 'Tanin-bune' sung by then 18-year-old newcomer Kazuko Mifune. This song, expressing deep emotions for a departing loved one, became a huge hit, propelling her into the ranks of popular singers. However, tragedy struck Mifune at the age of 21, in her third year as a debutante. A taxi collision she was involved in damaged her cervical spine, causing her to lose her 'voice,' the very lifeblood of a singer.

After 14 years, she made a miraculous comeback. What is the story behind the creation of the masterpiece 'Danna-sama,' written especially for her after her struggles? Please pay attention to the revealed story of marital bonds and her moving singing voice.

■ A Lineup of Heart-Touching Masterpieces! 'My Favorite Song'

Yamada Shimai, Baby Boo, Mizuki Hayama

This is a 2-hour special! In addition to the masterpieces that colored Showa 40, the program's regular cover singers will perform their own 'My Favorite Song' selections. A succession of precious numbers that colored the era will appear. Billy Ban Ban's ultimate love song 'Mezameta Toki ni wa Hareteita,' the then 23-year-old Kenji Niinuma's portrayal of youthful life in 'Seishun Soufu,' the beloved classic 'Gin no Ame' by Chiharu Matsuyama, and Seiko Matsuda's hidden ballad 'Daite...' will be delivered in abundance, evoking memories of each listener's life.

■ Performance List (Song Title / Original Artist ➤ Cover Artist)

Danna-sama / Kazuko Mifune

Tanin-bune / Kazuko Mifune

Futari no Sekai / Yujiro Ishihara ➤ Arata Aoyama

Gin no Ame / Chiharu Matsuyama ➤ Arata Aoyama

Seishun Soufu / Kenji Niinuma ➤ Arata Aoyama

Ashita wa Sakou Hana Sakou / Akira Mita & Sayuri Yoshinaga ➤ Arata Aoyama x Sayaka Kamizono

Daite... / Seiko Matsuda ➤ Sayaka Kamizono

Aishite Aishite Aishichattanoyo / Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars & Miyoko Tashiro ➤ Mizuki Hayama x Baby Boo

Koi no Kazaguruma / Cherish ➤ Mizuki Hayama x Baby Boo

Sabaku no You na Tokyo de / Ayumi Ishida ➤ Kaori Fujii

Lonely Lonely / Asami Mon ➤ Kaori Fujii

Onna Hitori / Duke Aces ➤ Baby Boo

Namida-kun Sayonara / Kyu Sakamoto ➤ Baby Boo

Mezameta Toki ni wa Hareteita / Billy Ban Ban ➤ Baby Boo

Otoko wa Ookina Kawa ni Nare ~ Moldau Yori ~ / Masashi Sada ➤ Baby Boo

Gakusei Jidai / Peggy Hayama ➤ Yamada Shimai

Last Waltz / Yoko Kishi ➤ Yamada Shimai

Haguresou na Tenshi / Takako Okamura ➤ Yamada Shimai

■ Broadcast Overview

Program Name: That Time, the Song Played ~ Showa Masterpieces That Colored the Era ~

Broadcast Date & Time: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 20:00 - 21:54

Cast: Program MCs: Yosuke Tagawa, Miyoko Yoshikawa

Commentary: Issei Tomizawa

Guests: Kazuko Mifune, Arata Aoyama, Sayaka Kamizono, Mizuki Hayama, Kaori Fujii, Baby Boo, Yamada Shimai (in no particular order)