The welfare ministry estimates there are more than 1 million single mothers in Japan whose individual annual incomes are less than ¥2 million. A new drama series titled simply "Woman" (Nippon TV, Wed., 10 p.m.) is about one such single mother.

Koharu (Hikari Mitsushima) finds it almost impossible to make a living because so much of her salary has to go to pay for daycare for her children. Just when it seems she can't go on any longer she is contacted by her estranged mother (Yuko Tanaka), whom she hasn't talked to in more than 20 years. Her mother offers to help Koharu financially, and Koharu isn't sure how to respond.

A forgotten figure from the past is also the focus of another new drama series. In "Machi Isha Jumbo" ("Town Doctor Jumbo"; Nippon TV, Thurs., 11:58 p.m.), Daisuke Maki of the R&B collective Exile plays Masayoshi Tsuruta, who goes by the nickname "Jumbo." He used to work at a clinic in the small town where he grew up, alongside the clinic's chief, Dr. Baba, but disappeared without telling anyone. Rumors persisted that he was having financial problems.