189 (2021)
A haunting Japanese drama about a child welfare officer who risks everything to protect a vulnerable young girl from her abuser.
189 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 189
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Ikuo Kamon
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 3, 2021 (Japan - G)
- Production Companies: VONS Pictures, United Vision, Bandai Namco Arts, Tokyo Offline Center
- Production Countries: Japan
189 - Plot
189 is a phone number to call when a child needs to be saved from an abusive situation. Children and adults can call that number, where they will be connected with the nearest child consultation center. Taiga Sakamoto works as a rookie child welfare officer. A girl that he worked with is being sent back to her mother. The girl was abused by her mother and stayed at a shelter. The next day, she loses her life. Taiga thinks about quitting his job. At this time, he receives a phone call from the hospital. A doctor calls him and tells him that a six-year-old girl's wounds looks as if they were caused by physical abuse. The abuser is assumed to be her father, but the girl's father denies any wrongdoing. Taiga and Attorney Shion Akiba try to prove that the girl was abused by her father.
189 - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the emotional stakes of this powerful story unfold:
Where to Watch 189
Looking for where to watch 189?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
189 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ikuo Kamon
Main Cast
- Yuma Nakayama
- Natsuna Watanabe
- Hisashi Yoshizawa
- Yasuyuki Maekawa
- Yuno Ota
- Atsuki Tomori
- Sei Hiraizumi
- Korroke
- Takuto Teranishi
Writers
- Haruko Nagatsu
Producers
- Noboru Yamaji
189 - FAQs
What does the title 189 refer to in the film?
189 is Japan's national child abuse hotline number. Anyone — child or adult — can dial it to report suspected abuse and be connected to the nearest child consultation center. The film takes its title directly from this real emergency service, grounding the story in Japan's actual child welfare system.
Is 189 based on a true story?
189 is not based on a single true story, but it draws heavily from real conditions within Japan's child welfare system. The hotline number 189 is a genuine national service, and the film reflects documented challenges faced by child consultation centers, making its drama feel grounded in authentic social reality.
Who are the main actors in 189?
189 stars Yuma Nakayama as rookie child welfare officer Taiga Sakamoto and Natsuna Watanabe as attorney Shion Akiba. The supporting cast includes Hisashi Yoshizawa, Yasuyuki Maekawa, Yuno Ota, Atsuki Tomori, Sei Hiraizumi, Korroke, and Takuto Teranishi.
What is 189 about?
189 follows Taiga Sakamoto, a young child welfare officer shaken after a girl he tried to protect dies at the hands of her abuser. When a new case emerges involving a six-year-old with suspicious injuries, Taiga teams up with attorney Shion Akiba to expose the father's abuse and save the child.
Who directed the 2021 film 189?
189 was directed by Ikuo Kamon, a Japanese filmmaker. The screenplay was written by Haruko Nagatsu. The film was produced by Noboru Yamaji and backed by production companies including VONS Pictures, United Vision, and Bandai Namco Arts.
How does 189 portray Japan's child protection system?
The film presents Japan's child consultation centers as under-resourced and emotionally taxing institutions. Through Taiga's journey, 189 highlights the bureaucratic obstacles, moral weight, and personal toll that welfare officers face when navigating abuse cases where evidence is scarce and families are uncooperative.
What genre is 189 and how long is it?
189 is a Drama and Crime film with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It was released in Japan on December 3, 2021, with a G rating in its home country. The film is in Japanese and was produced entirely in Japan.
What are similar films to watch after 189?
If 189 resonated with you, consider exploring La Cocina (2024), Oddity (2024), or Alien: Romulus (2024) for varied but equally compelling drama and tension. For international fare with emotional depth, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (2023) and Diva Futura (2025) also offer engaging narratives worth discovering.
More About 189
Explore further details and official listings for 189 through these trusted resources.