The Second Love (Japanese: セカンド・ラブ, Hepburn: Sekando rabu) is a 1983 Japanese drama film directed by Yōichi Higashi and co-written by Higashi with Akiko Tanaka. It tells the story of a remarried artist who discovers a corpse in her kitchen. The film stars Reiko Ohara in the lead role, in addition to Kaoru Kobayashi, Miyoko Akaza, Kenzō Kawarasaki and Michiko Araki. Michi Tanaka composed the film's score. The Second Love was theatrically released by Toei Company on April 8, 1983, in Japan.
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Premise
Kazumi is a 32 year old artist. She was previously married to a man nearly 20 years older than her, and she remarried two years ago to her current husband, Hideo, an architect. Kazumi brings the wisdom of an adult to their relationship, while Hideo, younger and more temperamental, frequently suspects Kazumi of infidelity. The couple have been receiving frequent, threatening phone calls from an unknown source. Hideo suspects that the calls are from Kazumi's ex-husband. Meanwhile, Kazumi notices signs of pregnancy, but is unable to tell Hideo.
As she busies herself preparing for an upcoming solo exhibition, Kazumi hopes that her work will finally be recognized. Her wishes come true and the event is a success, leaving Kazumi relieved. A young woman named Nobuko, claiming to be a freelance writer for a women's magazine, interviews her. However, when Nobuko learns that Hideo is about to ride back home on his motorcycle, she clings to him and asks to see the house he is building. Kazumi goes off to celebrate the exhibition's success with her friends. But when she returns home alone, she discovers a man's corpse in the kitchen.