Why Do People Write Love Letters?
Why Do People Write Love Letters? (Japanese: 人はなぜラブレターを書くのか, Romaji: Hito wa Naze Love Letter wo Kaku noka) is a Japanese dramatic feature film scheduled for release on April 17, 2026. Directed and written by Yuya Ishii and produced by Naoaki Kitajima, the film is distributed by Toho. The runtime is 122 minutes.
Production Background and Real-Life Basis
The film is based on a true story surrounding the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line derailment accident that occurred on March 8, 2000, during which 17-year-old Shinsuke Tomihisa lost his life. Decades later, in 2020, the family of Shinsuke Tomihisa received a letter from a woman who had held secret feelings for him back in 2000.
Plot Synopsis
Set twenty-four years prior to the framing narrative, 17-year-old high school student Nazuna Terada harbors secret feelings for a fellow commuter she observes daily on the train, though she does not know his name. Concurrently, 17-year-old Shinsuke Tomihisa attends a prestigious high school with aspirations of becoming a professional boxer. On March 8, 2000, Shinsuke boards a subway train operating on a schedule different from his usual routine and dies in the resulting subway derailment accident. Through news coverage of the tragedy, Nazuna recognizes Shinsuke's photograph, finally learning the name of the boy she admired.
In the year 2024, an adult Nazuna Terada lives in the suburbs with her husband Ryoichi Terada and their daughter, running her own restaurant. Prompted by a specific occasion, she begins writing a letter reflecting upon her memories related to Shinsuke Tomihisa. This letter is ultimately delivered to the late Shinsuke's father, Ryuji Tomihisa.
Cast and Characters
- Haruka Ayase as Nazuna Terada (2024)
- Ami Touma as Nazuna Terada (Age 17 / Nazuna Ono)
- Kanata Hosoda as Shinsuke Tomihisa
- Satoshi Tsumabuki as Ryoichi Terada
- Masaki Suda as Katsushige Kawashima
- Koichi Sato as Ryuji Tomihisa
- Airi Nishikawa as Mai Terada
- Takuma Otoo as Hideyuki Ohashi
- Hideko Hara as Haruko Tomihisa
Additional cast members include Miu Tomita, Hideyuki Kasahara, and Kanji Tsuda.
