Read else where on IMDB director committed suicide the same year as this came out, leaving a suicide note behind suggesting the media was going to uncover an affair with a younger woman, so he was deciding to take himself out.
Ironically that is part of the story in this movie, and revolves around his real wife Nobuko Miyamoto who is playing the lead part. In that light, it is very difficult to believe this story.
As he had been attacked and threatened by yakuza a few years earlier because the content of his movies offended them, it doesn't stretch the imagination much to come to the conclusion he was murdered.
Makes you really angry. Such a talent and a very funny guy. His wife and him were an amazing team, and always brought so much to their productions, bring the best out in other cast members too. His earlier movie Taxing Woman has a special place in my heart.