68-Year-Old New Employee (2018)
A heartwarming Japanese drama about an unlikely workplace pairing that bridges a 40-year generational gap.
68-Year-Old New Employee - Movie Information
- Original Title: 68歳の新入社員
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Keita Kono
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Production Companies: Fuji Television Network
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: 68岁的新职员 (CN)
68-Year-Old New Employee - Plot
Hitsujido Honpo, an established Japanese-style sweets company known for its traditional flavours and reliability, has maintained a modest popularity. To win a new segment of customers, it has embarked on new business development. The leader of this team of five young employees is 28-year old Kudo Mayuko (Takahata Mitsuki). Mayuko was headhunted by the current CEO Okazaki Kengo (Maruyama Tomomi), for her achievements in her previous job. However, she struggles with the difficulty of new business development and pressures within the company. One day, a "new" 68-year-old employee Niimoto Kazuo (Kusakari Masao) is assigned to be Mayuko's subordinate all of a sudden. She is dumbfounded to learn that he is 40 years her senior and even feels anger. Mayuko is confronted with the question of whether he should do the old job he was proud of? Or a new job as a brand new employee, and assumes the role of mentor.
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68-Year-Old New Employee - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Keita Kono
Main Cast
- Mitsuki Takahata
- Masao Kusakari
- Nozomu Kotaki
- Ichirôta Miyakawa
- Tomomi Maruyama
- Mieko Harada
- Takashi Sasano
Writers
- Yoshikazu Okada
Producers
- Ayako Mizuno
- Takashi Hagiwara
68-Year-Old New Employee - FAQs
What is 68-Year-Old New Employee about?
68-Year-Old New Employee follows Mayuko, a driven 28-year-old team leader at a traditional Japanese sweets company, who is suddenly assigned a 68-year-old man as her subordinate. The film explores the unlikely mentorship that develops between them as they navigate generational differences and workplace challenges together.
Is 68-Year-Old New Employee based on a true story?
68-Year-Old New Employee is not based on a specific true story. It is an original dramatic work written by Yoshikazu Okada, though it draws on very real and relatable themes of age in the modern workplace, generational tension, and the challenge of reinventing oneself later in life.
Who are the main actors in 68-Year-Old New Employee?
The film stars Mitsuki Takahata as the ambitious young team leader Mayuko Kudo and Masao Kusakari as the 68-year-old newcomer Kazuo Niimoto. The supporting cast includes Nozomu Kotaki, Tomomi Maruyama, Mieko Harada, and Takashi Sasano, rounding out this engaging ensemble.
What makes the mentor-subordinate dynamic so unusual here?
The twist is that Mayuko, at just 28, becomes the boss of a man 40 years her senior. Kazuo is experienced and proud of his past career, while Mayuko is still finding her footing as a leader. That reversal of the usual hierarchy is what gives the film its emotional and comedic tension.
Who directed 68-Year-Old New Employee?
68-Year-Old New Employee was directed by Keita Kono and produced by Fuji Television Network in Japan. The screenplay was written by Yoshikazu Okada, with producers Ayako Mizuno and Takashi Hagiwara overseeing the production.
Does 68-Year-Old New Employee have a happy ending?
Without giving too much away, the film leans into the warmth and optimism typical of Japanese workplace dramas. The relationship between Mayuko and Kazuo evolves in meaningful ways, and the story ultimately celebrates growth, mutual respect, and the idea that it is never too late to start something new.
What themes does 68-Year-Old New Employee explore?
The film digs into generational conflict, the fear of change, and what it means to find purpose at any age. It also touches on workplace dynamics, the pressure on young women in leadership roles, and the quiet dignity of older workers navigating a world that often overlooks their experience.
What are some movies similar to 68-Year-Old New Employee?
If you enjoy this film, you might also like Memories of Matsuko (2006) for its emotional Japanese drama sensibility, or What Maisie Knew (2013) for its nuanced character dynamics. Radiance (2017) and I Give My First Love to You (2009) are also worth exploring for similar heartfelt storytelling.
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