Japanese film 'When Confessions Are Needed' screens with special‑needs child actors in Tokyo

A press screening of the upcoming Japanese mystery drama "When Confessions Are Needed" was held on July 29 at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya in Tokyo. The film, directed by Tetsuya Nakajima and based on Bunzo Uchikai’s novel about a detective revisiting a newborn‑kidnapping case, will be released nationwide on August 28.

The event featured lead actor Hidetoshi Nishijima, co‑stars Kureki Hana, Miyuki Kudo, and director Nakajima, and highlighted the participation of more than 20 children with special‑needs who portray key characters, supervised by special‑needs specialist Kazuki Yasuda. The cast praised the children’s performances, with Nishijima noting they delivered the "ideal acting" he hoped for. Organisers also expressed condolences for victims of the recent Reiwa‑8 Kumamoto earthquake, which struck the day before the screening.

The film aims to present the challenges and hopes of families caring for children with disabilities while delivering a suspenseful mystery narrative.