09/20/02 (Tokyo, Japan) - As the 2002 summer draws to an end, Japanese television stations are ready and set with new programming for the fall television season. It was announced that Japanese station TV Asahi will feature a live-action drama series entitled Taiho Shichauzo or otherwise known in the domestic market as You're Under Arrest. The storyline for this live-action series was based upon the popular manga Taiho Shichauzo created by Kosuke Fujishiima, which has already been released as an anime series and a feature film. Those familiar with anime and manga will realize that Kosuke Fujishima is also responsible for the hit Aa! Megami-sama (a.k.a. Oh! My Goddess). Fujishima also attended the press conference and indicated that he never thought Taiho Shimchauzo would ever be dramatized into a live-action TV series since this was one of his first works. He also stated that, "The two main characters [in the live-action version] are better than the original image."

The story of Taiho Shichauzo is an action-comedy about two female police officers with complete opposite personalities that are teamed up to fight crime in Tokyo. The drama depicts the female officers as having a unique and aggressive approach not only in love and fashion, but when confronting dangerous felons and criminals as well.

Famous Japanese actress Sachie Hara will portray the intelligent and car-loving Miyuki Kobayakawa. Hara stated in the press conference that she enjoyed dressing in costume [as a police woman] because she doesn't have the opportunity to dress in uniform so often. Since the drama has numerous action scenes, she also mentioned how her body ached after training for the role.

Hara's co-star Misaki Ito will portray the wild and powerful Natsumi Tsujimoto who is skilled in martial arts and blessed with athletic abilities. Ito described her character as someone who is "passionate and straightforward" and her trademark martial arts move is an "elbow drop."

Also on hand were the other members of the cast, including Kazushige Nagashima, the leading man in the series. Nagashima will portray the character Ken Nakajima, a tough, motorcycle riding officer with a strong sense of justice. The audience burst into laughter as he said, "Since I'm much obliged to the police department twice (due to car accidents, etc.), I feel a little awkward to play this role." In the drama, there may be a romantic twist between him and Hara's character.

The theme song for this series will actually be an American song entitled Through the Rain performed by Mariah Carey. This is her first song from her new record label Universal Music and is scheduled to be released on November 13, 2002. Taiho Shichauzo will broadcast on TV Asahi beginning Oct 17, 2002 at 9:00 pm.