A Taxing Woman in order

Nobuko Miyamoto stars as Ryoko, Japan’s relentless female tax inspector, who matches wits with Gondo, a cunning tax-evading love hotel owner, in a gripping battle of detection and deception laced with mutual attraction. The hit romantic farce evolves into a darker sequel, where Ryoko takes on a religious cult, gangsters, and a high-stakes conspiracy involving politicians and construction. 2 films, 4h 15m in all, in release order.

1. 1
   

   A Taxing Woman

   1987 · 128 min

   Intrepid tax investigator Ryoko Itakura sets her sights on the mysterious and philandering Hideki Gondo, a suspected millionaire and proprietor of a thriving chain of seedy hourly hotels, who has for years succeeded at hiding the true extent of his assets from the Japanese authorities. Itakura and Gondo soon find themselves engaged in a complicated, satirical battle of wits.

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2. 2
   

   A Taxing Woman's Return

   1988 · 127 min

   Ryōko Itakura returns as the tough-as-nails government taxing agent. This time she must figure out a way to expose a fanatical religious cult lead by a corrupt sociopath.

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