Japanese cult-classic 'Ikiru' and 'Breaking Bad'

Is anyone familiar with the Japanese Cult Classic 'Ikiru'? It is the story of a city official who after discovering he has terminal lung cancer, realizes he has squandered his life on meaningless red tape and has no close family or friendships to lean on. He resolves to use his remaining time to usher an insignificant but popular civic project, a children's playground, through the bureaucracy he knows so well.
Sound familiar?
I am a recent fan of 'Breaking Bad', partaking of the recently released season 1 on DVD to watch at my leisure (I am the quintessential Soccer-dad). In my opinion, 'Breaking Bad' was the absolute best reincarnation Japan could have hoped for. I LOVE this show!!!