I'm hoping someone can suggest a Japanese film or drama in which a key female character is in a business or professional role. It doesn't have to be a work of art - I'm really just looking for listening practice that'll improve my sense for what type of speech is appropriate.

I've check out a few of the suggested TV sites. But to attend a business meeting in Japan sounding like an anime character, or a too kawaii girl ... well, that would just be a bit too Borat-ish for me. :-)

Office language is fairly polite, so the difference between male/female speech may not be so pronounced. But traditional offices still tend to have an age/gender/authority divide between the businessmen and office ladies. (Even my business language books are a bit divided that way.) So this leaves me a bit confused as to where exactly I fit in and how I should speak to everyone.

But not 'The Tax Collector' :-)

"Anego" comes to mind. Available on D-Addicts

It was pretty funny/ entertaining and as I recall had a decent amount of office dialogue. The office is where most of the scenes take place.

http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Anego

Title: 踊る大捜査線
Title (romaji): Odoru Daisousasen
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Odoru_Daisousasen

It features the same lady from Change (深津絵里 Fukatsu Eri), again in a prominent, commanding role. The show itself is outstanding.

many thanks. this forum is a treasure

Also you might want to keep an eye out for "At Home Dad"

山女壁女
(yama onna kabe onna)

It's a comedy-drama about a couple of girls who works at a shop in Ginza selling expensive bags. It's hardly easy japanese, but I think it can be fitting. Also, if you're offended by breasts or jokes about breasts, you might not want to watch it. (No nudity though, of course).

I haven't watched these all the way through, but ones that I remember that have females in main roles who work in offices.

肩ごしの恋人 (Katagoshi no Koibito)
One of the main characters Moe works in an office of a marketing company.

きみはペット (Kimi wa Petto)
The main character Sumire works at a publishing company.

Koi ni ochitara. From 2005, I believe. Oddly enough, the drama
(whose title means "when I fall in love") has almost nothing to do with romance.

The story of one man's sudden rise in an elite stock trading company
in Roppongi Hills. The company's specialty is "M&A", which stands for "mergers and acquisitions". They buy/sell whole companies and make massive profits from it.

Main actress is Matsushita Nao, who is the CEO's secretary.

Very formal japanese. And my favorite business drama of all time.