In films and television dramas, scenes of politicians and officials whispering on a red carpet are common. Many viewers may think, How did they ever get to film inside the National Diet Building? If a shot of the Diet from the front is followed by a red-carpet corridor, it is no wonder anyone would think so.
But filming inside the Diet is not allowed. Directors and television producers have a store of know-how about which scenes to shoot in which buildings. For Diet-corridor scenes they often use Gakushikaikan, a short walk from Palaceside Building. Its massive construction has a solemn air that can stand beside the Diet itself.
Palaceside Building is filmed often as well. Many scenes dress the rooftop as the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, a hospital, or a hotel. The real Metropolitan Police Headquarters has no rooftop like Palaceside Building's...
In "Onna-zakari" (original by Saiichi Maruya), starring Sayuri Yoshinaga as a newspaper editorial writer, the Mainichi Shimbun editorial offices on the building's fourth floor were used often. In Fuji Television's serial "Fumo Chitai" (original by Toyoko Yamasaki), the east main entrance on the first floor suddenly became the entrance of "Kinki Shoji," and Toshiaki Karasawa came up the stairs from the door.
Palaceside Building has been the stage for many famous films and dramas; someday a picture starring Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise may be shot here.