For years, American sitcoms have made their way to Japan. Dubbed in Japanese, popular sitcoms like Dharma and Greg, Full House, and Friends are only a few of the American shows broadcasted in Japan. But this autumn, Fuji TV launched the first Japanese sitcom entitled HR on television in Japan.

The script for HR is written by famous screenwriter Kouki Mitani, famous for the Japanese hit TV show Furuhata Ninzaburo. HR (which stands for "Homeroom") is set in a night school in Tokyo. The students consist of people ranging in different ages and occupations, all with one goal in mind: To finish high school. However, each student has his or her own quirky personality that adds special flavor to the show. From an ex-nightclub worker to a juvenile delinquent, you will never know what to expect with this colorful student body.

The main character of HR is Shingo Todoroki, a 25 year old English teacher who tries to be the best teacher that he can be. However, despite his efforts, the students and staff seem to make the task at hand even more difficult. Shingo Katori, the youngest member of the Japanese idol group Smap, portrays the character of Shingo Todoroki. In a recent press release, Shingo described work on the show. "The more things are difficult for me, the more I can enjoy the challenge. That's why I am enjoying my work now. I want to work hard with my co-actors in the various scenes." Known for his energetic personality and great charisma, Katori is sure to keep fans glued to their sets every week.

HR airs Wednesday nights at 11:00 pm, which is late for a prime time sitcom in America. As of now, only 24 half-hour episodes are scheduled for production. But, with its original storyline and a talented cast consisting of popular Japanese celebrities, Fuji TV is hoping that Japan's first sitcom will be just as popular among viewers as their western counterparts.