Japanese drama ‘Dai-kuko ~GATE24~’ explores customs enforcement

The Japanese television drama ‘Dai-kuko ~GATE24~’ continues to follow the activities of a specialized customs unit tasked with protecting Japan's borders from increasingly sophisticated international crimes.

In the fifth episode, customs officer Matsuyama (played by Rihito Itagaki) faces suspicion regarding his involvement in the murder of a female student from the Republic of Chatwan. The investigation reveals that criminal organizations were using steganography—hiding information within digital media like DVDs—to smuggle secrets into Japan. Despite pressure from police to cooperate with a sting operation, Matsuyama upholds his professional integrity by prioritizing the prevention of illegal imports.

The sixth episode explores a moral dilemma faced by the team when a passenger arrives carrying the urn of his deceased wife. While the passenger's belongings initially appear normal, customs officer Machi (played by Shuri) identifies several minor inconsistencies. This leads to a heated debate within the GATE24 unit over whether it is ethically acceptable to inspect a human remains container to ensure national security, highlighting the tension between professional duty and human empathy.