The 113th episode of the NHK morning drama “Wings of a Tiger” was broadcast on the 4th, and the words “Welcome to our side!” spoken by the protagonist, Torako Sada (Sari Ito), who is suffering from the symptoms of menopause, by her schoolmate Umeko Takehara (Kami Hiraiwa) warmed the hearts of many viewers.

“Wings of the Tiger” is a morning drama that depicts the story based on the life of Yoshiko Mibuchi, Japan’s first female lawyer who later became a judge. Actress Sari Ito plays the main character, Torako Sada, a judge at the Tokyo District Court. The drama is currently in its 23rd week, “Starting like a virgin, then like a rabbit?” (episodes 111-115). Torako, one of the judges in charge of the “Atomic Bomb Trial,” is worried that there is little chance that the plaintiffs’ lawsuits seeking damages from the government will be accepted, and that there is no way to provide relief to the victims of the atomic bomb. In her private life, she is also worried about the fact that her mother-in-law Yuri (Kimiko Yo)’s dementia is getting worse day by day, which is putting an increasing burden on her family, and she herself is suffering from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

Meanwhile, Torako goes to her favorite sweet shop “Takemoto” to unwind, where she chats with Umeko, who is training to take over from the elderly owner and his wife. Even though it’s not summer, Torako is hot and keeps fanning her face with a folding fan as she reveals that she is suffering from menopause. Umeko playfully responds, “Oh my! Welcome to our side, Tora-chan!” They fan each other and laugh, saying things like “Ho ho ho, hot hot.”

Many female viewers responded to Umeko’s words. On X (formerly Twitter), comments such as “When you’re suffering from menopause, it’s nice to hear this from someone who’s been through it,” “Just having Umeko there to say cheerful things is a relief,” “It doesn’t say things like, ‘It’s hard, it’s tough,’ but rather, ‘You’re not alone,’ “Even if there’s no solution, it’s nice to know someone who’s on the team,” and “She’s so kind because she’s been through so many hardships. Those words don’t come out often,” were posted in the comments, and “Umeko” became a trending topic.

With several heavy and important themes unfolding simultaneously, many morning drama fans were comforted by this scene, with comments such as, “The progress of the atomic bomb trial, Yuri’s worsening dementia, and Yumi’s emotional outburst. As the future feels ominous, Umeko and Torako’s “hot, hot” was comforting,” “The interactions with Umeko were the only thing that soothed me,” and “As always, it was an oasis in the world of Torako.”