On August 19th, Arashi’s Ninomiya Nazunari appeared at a rehabilitation center in Chiba for a press conference for ‘Kuruma Isu de Boku wa Sora wo Tobu‘, the drama special of NTV’s annual charity telethon, ‘24Hour Television‘.

The story of ‘Kuruma Isu de Boku wa Sora wo Tobu’ will revolve around a young man (Ninomiya) who becomes paralyzed on the lower half of his body and is confined to a wheelchair after running into some trouble with a delinquent.

Actress Ueto Aya, who plays the heroine in the drama, also attended the press conference. The two last co-starred with each other in a drama 12 years ago. When Ninomiya complimented Ueto saying, “You became pretty,” she replied with an embarrassed grin, “You’re just being polite right?”

To prepare himself for his role, Ninomiya interacted with actual patients in wheelchairs. “I wasn’t sure if coming in contact with them politely was okay, so I made sure I honestly asked about what I didn’t know,” he reflected.

Meanwhile, Ueto promoted the drama saying, “It’s a heart-warming drama that conveys that everyone can change.”

Ninomiya will also serve as the main personality for ‘24Hour Television’ with the other members of Arashi.