NHK’s First English-Language Comedy, ‘Home Sweet Tokyo,’ Begins Season Dec. 1

“Home Sweet Tokyo” returns for its second season, with stars (from left) B.J. Fox, Yoshino Kimura, Tetsu Watanabe and Isla Rose. (NHK World Japan)

B.J. Fox isn’t taking his good fortune for granted, but he’s in no mood to see the good time come to an end.

“Making it was great fun for all the cast and crew, and we wanted to do it again.”

Fox, a British writer and comedian, spoke to The Rafu from Tokyo about the second season of his situation comedy “Home Sweet Tokyo,” making its debut this weekend on NHK World, the Japanese national broadcaster’s global English-language network.

The show follows the lives of a multi-generational, multi-cultural family living in Tokyo, finding humor in the everyday twists and turns of modern Japanese life. Fox is the co-creator of the series and stars as Bryan, who has recently moved to Tokyo with his wife Itsuki (Yoshino Kimura) and their young daughter Alice (Isla Rose). A main reason for the move was to take in Itsuki’s recently widowed father, Tsuneo, played with stern distance by Tetsu Watanabe.

As his wife continues her working career, Bryan finds himself a stay-at-home dad, and adjusting to the norms of life in a new land is not always a smooth process. Coming to grips with ideas such as his young child walking alone to and from school proves very difficult, leading to a rather awkward visit from the police and consternation from his wife.

“This was never about the kind of typical things you hear about foreigners in Japan,” Fox explained. “The guy Bryan is not a maniac about Japan, he’s trying to be practical without the benefit of experience. He’s trusting and open, but he’s still got that British cynicism that he can’t let go of.”

“Home Sweet Tokyo” is somewhat of a breakthrough for NHK, as its very first comedy primarily in English. While NHK World – available over the air in Los Angeles on Channel 28.4, as well on most cable systems – airs a wide variety of interesting programs, comedy is quite dependent on culture, and crossing that gap can be a laugh-killing barrier.

“It was a brave move,” Fox said of the decision to pick up the show initially.

While working for a video game company in Singapore, Fox found a love of performing stand-up comedy, enjoying the feedback from a live audience. When work took him to Tokyo in 2015, he discovered a flourishing comedy scene for foreigners there, and was eager to join the fun.

It was a set of his in the nightlife Shimokitazawa district that caught the eye and funny bone of NHK producer Keiko Tsuneki, who had been considering the potential of a cross-culture comedy for the network. She had spent part of her youth in Texas, honing her understanding of American culture by watching TV shows like “Three’s Company.”

Fox explained that a key goal of the show’s development was to appeal to both Japanese and non-Japanese, and still be funny.

“To some degree, it’s positive promotion for Japan,” he said, noting the nation’s push toward appealing to visitors ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “It’s not overly positive, though. We really wanted to present both sides, the challenges as well as the enjoyment, in a positive way.”

The concept was presented to director Teruyuki Yoshida, who had already delivered some Japanese-language hit comedies for NHK, including the wildly popular “Ama-chan” and “Salaryman Neo.” He, too, saw the appeal of an international fish-out-of-water story for the modern era.

Fox said in addition to including all audiences in on the jokes, the show strives to touch the heart as well.

“We have scripted jokes, plus the sense of physical humor Teruyuki brings,” Fox said. “We’re looking for heartwarming ends, ultimately, not simply slapstick. There are instances of conflict and misunderstanding, but in the end, we try to bring happiness.

“Home Sweet Tokyo” begins its second season this weekend on NHK World TV. Check the website (www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld) for complete broadcast schedule.

— Mikey Hirano Culross