Okada Junichi to Host Nippon TV's 'The Floor,' Asia's First Edition of Global Quiz Format with a Star-Studded Twist

Nippon TV has tapped top star Okada Junichi to front the Japanese adaptation of 'The Floor', the international quiz format from Talpa Studios, founded by John de Mol.

The special will represent the format’s debut in Asia, after roll-outs across more than 30 countries spanning Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Australia. The broadcast is scheduled as a three-hour prime-time special on March 28 across Nippon TV and its affiliate stations nationwide.

The show promises an exciting and challenging television experience, with a cast of celebrities competing in visual duels.

Japan’s version introduces a local twist not seen in other markets: rather than civilian participants, the entire roster of 32 players will be drawn from the celebrity world, making it the only edition globally to have an all-star cast.

Competitors will face each other in head-to-head visual quiz duels on a large LED floor segmented into 32 sections, with each battle built around a contestant’s nominated area of expertise. The player who ultimately dominates the board takes home a prize of JPY10 million yen ($63,000).

This innovation promises to attract a large audience, combining the appeal of the original format with the charisma of Japanese celebrities.

The special is Okada’s first foray into quiz hosting. He has built a growing international following, most recently through his role in the Netflix drama series 'Last Samurai Standing'.

In a statement, Okada expressed his surprise and honor at being chosen as host, highlighting his interest in the format and the intensity of the battles.

His acting experience and growing international popularity are a great asset for the show, which seeks to captivate the audience with an innovative format.

Hisamichi Megumi, senior manager of programming and platform strategy at Nippon TV, said the format’s broad intergenerational appeal and its ability to hold viewers in suspense were central to her decision to commission it.

Sebastian van Barneveld, director global distribution at Talpa Studios, framed the Japanese launch as a landmark moment, highlighting the importance of the Japanese market.

Both executives are confident in the show's success, emphasizing its visual format and cultural adaptability.

Nippon TV, which also owns the Japanese arm of streaming service Hulu, holds the rights to the majority of its own content and is active in international sales across anime, finished programming, formats and co-productions.

The company recently established Gyokuro Studio as a dedicated in-house unscripted label and opened the Nippon TV LA Business Office to serve as its global hub for co-development and sales.

These initiatives demonstrate Nippon TV's commitment to global expansion and the production of high-quality content.