Departures of note

Yoshiji Kaga was born in February 1940 in Setagaya, Tokyo, into a prominent entertainment family; his father was a Shochiku executive, his uncle a Daiei producer, and actress Mariko Kaga was his cousin. After graduating from Keio University, he joined Nippon Television in 1962, initially working in the entertainment division before moving into drama production in 1964.

Over a long career at NTV he produced numerous dramas, including Momotarō-zamurai, Keishi-K, Oshi Zamurai Kiichi Hōgen, and the long-running Tuesday Suspense Theater, and he was involved in launching Kinyō Yaseki, the predecessor program to the enduring variety show Shōten. He later held executive posts in programming, publicity, production, and business divisions, including serving as head of the 24-Hour Television business office.

After retiring from the network he worked at the film production company Tōwani and as a freelancer. He died in September 2026 at the age of 86.