Toshinobu Kubota Appears as Guest on Radio Program 'Daremo Kiitenai Kara Daijoubu' Hosted by Eriko Kitagawa – Special Talk Reflecting on the Legendary Drama and Theme Song Creation

The radio program 'Daremo Kiitenai Kara Daijoubu', produced by Japan FM Network Company (JFNC), features screenwriter and film director Eriko Kitagawa as its first regular radio personality starting April 2026. The show freely discusses the behind-the-scenes of her creative work and daily thoughts, rediscovering life's 'realizations' through conversations with guests.

Over two weeks, starting June 10 (Wednesday) and June 17 (Wednesday), singer-songwriter Toshinobu Kubota will join as a guest! (Broadcast times vary by station.)

A special conversation has been realized, delving into the behind-the-scenes stories of the legendary 1990s hit drama 'Long Vacation' and its theme song 'LA・LA・LA LOVE SONG'.

"I had only two scripts and read them thoroughly in New York."

"Now I can say it... it was the 'crying LA・LA・LA'."

Kitagawa gets excited as Kubota reveals numerous behind-the-scenes stories of the creation of 'LA・LA・LA LOVE SONG'. The production process is now being revealed anew, including memories of the recording session in New York and the background of Naomi Campbell's participation.

The conversation then moves to 'the difference between love songs and love stories' and their respective 'methods of expression'.

When Kitagawa asks, "Writing a script is about expanding '1 into 10', but when you write a love song, do you think of someone?", Kubota responds, "A song is about condensing '10 into 1'."

"Peak instantaneous viewership rating of 43.8%" and "1.856 million copies sold (million seller)" –

The two top creators who sparked a social phenomenon now talk about the pressure of creating hit works and the struggles of creation... What do they do when they feel stuck and think, 'I can't do this anymore'? And what is the reason they continue to thrive at the forefront even now?

Don't miss this precious conversation that can only be heard here!

[Performer Profiles]

Eriko Kitagawa: Born in December 1961 in Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture.

Graduated from Waseda University, School of Letters, Department of Philosophy, specializing in Eastern Philosophy. Screenwriter and film director.

Debuted as a screenwriter for a TV series in 1992 with 'Sugao no Mama de'.

Has produced numerous hit TV dramas such as 'Aishiteiru to Ittekure', 'Long Vacation', and 'Orange Days'.

Her transparent and beautiful stories have moved many people, earning her the nickname 'God of Love Stories'. She won the Kuniko Mukoda Award and the Shugako Hashida Award for 'Beautiful Life', which recorded an average viewership rating of 32.3% and a peak rating of 41.3%.

Despite battling difficult illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and hearing loss in one ear due to an acoustic neuroma, she continues to create numerous works.

Her recent works include the NHK morning drama series 'Half Blue', 'Tasogare ni, Te o Tsunagu', and 'Ikitoshikerumono'. She has also expanded into film with 'Halfway' and 'Shin'na Kutsu o Kawanakucha'.

[Program Overview]

Program Name: Daremo Kiitenai Kara Daijoubu

Program Website: https://jfn-pods.com/program/300013355

Broadcast times vary by station. Please check each station's website for details.

Stations: FM Aomori, FM Iwate, FM Yamagata, Fukushima FM, TOKYO FM, FM GUNMA, FM Tochigi, FM Niigata, FM Nagano, FM Ishikawa, FM Fukui, FM AICHI, FM GIFU, FM Mie, Kiss FM KOBE, FM Okayama, FM Yamaguchi, FM Kagawa, FM Tokushima, FM Kochi, FM Nagasaki, FM Kumamoto, FM Miyazaki, FM Kagoshima