All language subtitles for 留给明天的遗书 2007

Since World War I, devastation caused
by aerial bombing

has been acknowledged.

Jurists from major countries met in
the Hague in 1923.

They reached an agreement.

"Bombardment is legitimate only
on military targets.

Terrorizing civilians is prohibited."

These limitations have not
been observed.

On April 26, 1937, the Spanish
town of Guernica

was destroyed by the Luftwaffe.

In July of 1937,

the Japanese Air Force

indiscriminately bombed

the Chinese cities of Nanjing,
Hankou and Chongging.

On September 1, 1939, Germany
invaded Poland

and World War II began.

On September 18

Pres. Roosevelt appealed to all
belligerent nations.

"It is my earnest hope

that bombing of civilians
will not take place."

But it did no good.

German aerial bombardment of
London began in 1940.

Britain's Royal Air Force bombed
German cities in reprisal.

In December 1941

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
The War in the Pacific began.

In January 1945, Curtis LeMay
took command in Saipan.

He ordered the firebombing of Japan.

Incendiary bombs were dropped

at night, from February 19, 1945.

On March 10

334 B-29s attacked Tokyo.

Maj. Gen. LeMay ordered them

"to bomb everything."

In one night, downtown Tokyo
was burnt to the ground.

100,000 people were killed.

Nagoya was bombed 38 times.

The incendiary bombing of May 14
took the heaviest toll of life.

486 B-29s released 2563 tons
of bombs

destroying 80% of northern Nagoya.

During those air-raids

some U.S. aircrew parachuted from
their planes and were captured.

"Those guilty of bombardment

can hardly expect mercy themselves."

This was the conviction of the people
of Nagoya

and of the Japanese soldiers who
executed them by decapitation.

"On August 15, 1945 the war ended."

Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived
at Atsugi Airbase in Japan.

The victors held trials

for B- and C-Class war criminals
around Asia.

The trial of A-Class war criminals
in Tokyo

had captured the attention
of the press and the public.

"TOKYO SUGAMO PRISON"

Lt. Gen. Tasuku Okada, Commander
of the Tokai Army

has been awaiting trial in prison for
18 months.

He recorded these words.

"Why should the losing side

be held solely responsible for
crimes committed?

Those who abandon the samurai spirit

and think solely of their own survival

fill me with an intense grief."

Lt. Gen. Okada viewed his trial
as a "legal battle"

to prove America's criminality
in indiscriminate bombing.

BEST WISHES FOR TOMORROW

The Yokohama Courthouse
was the site of trials

for crimes committed on Japanese soil.

The trial of Tasuku Okada

and his subordinates began on
March 8, 1948.

"Witness for the Prosecution
Lt. Gen. Sugita"

No, I do not.

They should have received a fair trial.

I would say it is.

If the person dies, it's murder.

No.

No.

"Witness for the Prosecution
Staff Sgt. Aihara"

Yes.

I saw them being executed.

Three.

By the Accounting Building
in the garden.

Lt. Narita.

It's him.

Of the 20 accused, 15 had carried out
the beheadings.

"Witness for the Prosecution
Maj. Gen. Muto"

I did.

I... I don't recall the details but...

we found that of 38 aircrew, 27 were
executed in violation of military law.

Military tribunals must have elaborate
procedures.

Abridged procedures were ordered.

27 fliers were executed

under those shortened procedures.

I wrote that despite the emergency
at the time

the accused should be considered
a murder suspect.

No.

Not yet.

I don't know.

I guessed that Okada
would face a trial.

We were unsure if it would be handled
by the Allied Powers

or by ourselves.

"Witness for the Defense
Kazuko Moribe"

On July 15, the train was attacked
from the air

at about 1:15 in the afternoon.

Machine-gun fire

through the windows and ceiling.

10 people died.

15 of them, yes.

The dead and wounded were carried
off the train.

I was slightly injured and confused.

I can't be sure of the exact number.

Return to the stand.

Yes.

Yes.

A single star...

under the wing.

Under the wing.

A conductor and a friend were there.
We all saw the American planes.

We knew it was dangerous.

When the planes started shooting...

the conductor and my friend
were instantly killed.

I was alone.

When I said there were 10 dead...

one was my friend.

I felt great anxiety that
my husband

was being defended by an American.

And yet, I was amazed by
Dr. Featherstone's dignified defense.

"Witness for the Defense
Hidezane Machida"

No, none.

Airplane production requires precision.

Every part must fit perfectly.

The home industries weren't up to it.

They couldn't produce the parts
we needed.

"Witness for the Defense
Aiko Mizutani"

We look after abandoned children.

Some of them are orphans.

We have new-born babies and
children up to 15 years old.

Twice. On March 17 and June 5.

Yes.

It was March 17.

The air raid siren sounded
at about 11 pm.

The hospital was in flames.

We thought it would be a long raid.

My husband and I took the children
to a nearby hill.

A flare bomb dropped...

and suddenly it was as bright as day.

Then we took refuge in the dormitory.

But the fire bombs kept coming...

falling on the dormitory.

We all rushed out.

Five children were sleeping

in the dormitory.

I tried to enter it again...

but a guard stopped me.

"Don't go in there!" he yelled.

But the children were in
the burning building.

We were totally helpless.

A little girl by the entrance
was screaming for her mother.

"Mummy! Mummy!" she cried.

I couldn't leave her there.

I carried her away.

We took 50 children

to the river, below a bridge.

There was a huge crowd there.

We managed somehow to get
the children below there.

But again fire bombs started dropping

and we couldn't put out the fires.

Some mothers...

and children...

were burnt to death.

No, none.

What's wrong?

I'm scared of going to court.

I saw the American fliers

tremble and shake.

They bombed us!

They killed women and children!

The sword came down on a guy.

But, one time didn't kill him.

The sword came chopping down
again and again.

He screamed like a baby.

He looked up at me.

Those eyes follow me

into the courtroom.

I gave the order.

Responsibility lies with me.

Don't worry.

If only there were a medicine
to give me courage.

Cowardice is incurable. I'm scared!

Fear will destroy you!

Don't look for medicine.

A young body must be robust.

Sitting Zen will get you through it.

Let's pray to the Buddha.

The trial of the Ishigaki Guards

had ended at about this time.

The guards had executed 3 Americans

by stabbing them to death.

Of the 45 guards on trial, 41 were
sentenced to death by hanging.

Tasuku Okada, take the stand.

You are still under oath.

I know.

It existed to judge those suspected
of serious war crimes.

Given our circumstances

this was the case.

The Tokai Army came into existence
in February, 1945.

It grew under intense bombardment

and was annihilated 6 months later.

As commanding officer

I had to observe the battlefield
from all angles.

I resolved to fight to the end.

Japan's fate was in our hands.

The entire Tokai Army felt this way.

We were no match

for the American Air Force.

We could barely plan for the next day.

Due to our daily situation

it was impossible to rely on orders
from Tokyo.

Dr. Featherstone asked Okada

about the indiscriminate bombing.

Carpet bombing, night raids

incendiary bombs and methods
of bombing

were criticized by Lt. Gen. Okada.

First, an area was bombed
incessantly, and set on fire.

People could not escape.

Bombs were dropped to prevent
people from putting out fires.

The massacre was unimaginable.

Hands and feet dangled from wires.

Corpses were thrown onto rooftops.

The ensuing firestorm annihilated
everything in its path.

It is a picture of hell.

In actual fact, those fliers

had bombed indiscriminately

and their actions were unlawful.

Countless lives were destroyed.

I call upon you to imagine this.

We treated the fliers not as POWs

but as war criminals.

Judging by the bombing,
we believed we were right.

The Muto Report was prepared

to investigate the Tokai Army.

Newspapers were exposing executions

that took place during the war.

The Muto Report is untrustworthy.

As soon as the war ended

judicial affairs officers got scared
that they would be held responsible.

They tried to avoid guilt
by investigating us.

In January and February of 1946
my men and I were investigated.

I wanted everything out in the open.

But, Maj. Gen. Tani

was eager to avoid all responsibility.

Muto's second questioning

was scheduled for February 11.

That morning, Maj. Gen. Tani
killed himself.

I rushed to the room

where his body was at rest.

There was no will.

There was no note in his pocket.

His family had no idea
why he killed himself.

I don't know why.

One reason might be that Muto

was below him in rank.

Tani shared responsibility
for the executions.

But he had written...

"I didn't know the fliers were tried
in shortened procedures.

It was all done by officers and staff."

This false testimony complicated
the work of the Commission.

I don't recall the exact date.

But I believe it was June 17, 1945.

We were bombed that evening.

I asked Maj. Gen. Tani if there was
a way to simplify

military tribunal procedures.

He doubted if procedures
could be abridged.

He said that staff officers could
question the aircrew

and it would be legal if
the law's spirit was observed.

June 20, I think.

Onishi came in with Tani.

I told them it was impossible
to hold a proper tribunal.

I decided to use abridged procedures.

I told them to study new procedures
to fit our circumstances.

Okada's main wish in the trial

was to save his young subordinates.

Tighten your belly.

Yes.

Roughly.

Tani gave his report.

He said he would use
abridged procedures.

Fliers who bombed military targets
would go to a POW camp.

Those suspected of
indiscriminate bombing

would be given full trials.

Those clearly involved in bombing
would be given shortened trials.

I called a meeting to put this
into practice.

This proposal was along the lines
of Tani's opinion.

As head of the tribunal

I immediately gave the order.

Yes.

Verbal.

To Onishi.

Yes, I do.

I said that we had no choice
but to execute them.

I just remembered.

I said, " Do it immediately."

No. I did not order that.

Death by sword is a dignified
samurai ritual.

It's the same as a firing squad

for a soldier.

It is a dignified way to die.

I wish to emphasize this.

The order to use the sword

may have come from subordinates

but it is the same as if
I had given it.

It was clear to all that my husband
was determined

to assume all responsibility

for the execution of
the American fliers.

The difference is in the independence
of command.

Orders from superiors take precedence
over military procedures.

Responsibility for carrying them out
is shared by all.

During intense bombing, verbal
orders were common.

No. But commanders
are responsible

for everything below them.

All responsibility for whatever
was done below me

rests with me as commander.

In the case of the American fliers

responsibility rests with their
base commander.

But, the war was ending

and Japan was powerless.

We couldn't put American base
commanders on trial.

It's not my concern
what they thought.

I judged they had broken the law.

All the men in this courtroom

believed they were right.

Thank you.

Chasing rabbits in the mountains

Fishing for carp in the streams

Hometown of my dreams

Hometown... unforgettable

Mother, Father, are you well

My old friends home and safe?

Rain or shine I think of you

Hometown of my dreams

It's all right.

They definitely saw the results
of their bombing.

They dropped leaflets
terrorizing people.

They knew it was illegal
and a crime.

So they were given death.

Those leaflets depicted
indiscriminate bombing

and children searching for parents
in the fire.

On them it said, " If you don't want
to die, stop the war!"

These were meant not to warn
but to terrorize people.

They wanted to weaken
our resolve to fight.

No.

But the fliers who bombed us

knew their actions were inhuman.

Regrettably, no.

I've no idea.

I don't think he would have.

This is a difficult question.

An airplane crew is a single body.
It doesn't matter

who carried out the bombing.

Our regulations uphold
international law.

There's no alternative.

The reason for the punishment
was repeated criminal acts.

If you look at the history
of this article

only the emperor can commute
the death sentence.

Article 5 does not apply to an
area army such as ours.

I sensed that the judges

sympathized with the feelings
of my husband

who was taking full responsibility
for all actions.

Haruko, thank you for being
in court every day.

We are not allowed to speak

but I can tell what you think
by looking at you.

An exchange of smiles
is all I need.

I will win this fight!

The court's judgment is arbitrary.

It is just suiting itself.

"In my Legal Battle"

A person can depend
on only one thing...

and that is oneself.

Renouncing ego and living
by the truth is the way

to heed the spirit of the Buddha.

That's arbitrary logic.

If housing and commercial
areas are hit

then it's clearly indiscriminate.

I was too busy to notice.

Much worse.

I don't know.

I was an area commander.

Big issues are beyond me.

But, the targets of the attack
on Pearl Harbor

were strictly ships and aircraft.

That attack was not indiscriminate.

As for my personal opinion...

the rules of air warfare must be
changed before it is too late.

Prosecutor Burnett appears amicable
at times like these.

Please bear in mind we were
under intense bombardment.

We were not required to notify Tokyo
of our procedures

though it was recommended.

In spirit, it was a proper court.

With obvious guilt, procedures
could be abridged.

Not guilty?

We could have.

I did not.

Yes.

It's a very complicated procedure.

Absolutely.

Definitely not.

Let me make this clear again.
Military regulations

are not laws.

They are a factor of strategy
deemed suitable by a commander.

To execute a strategy well

decisions must not be altered.

In the cold light of day, your
opinion might hold sway.

But amidst that chaos

a full tribunal was not possible.

Please allow me to answer

according to my Buddhist faith.

There are various realms
in the heart of man...

Please, I would like to answer
in my own way.

According to Buddhist teachings

humans can occupy any one
of 10 realms

from Hell at the bottom
to Buddhahood on top.

The human heart is ever-changing.

Muto lacked character.

I became tainted by contact with him.

My heart entered the realm of Chaos.

My reactions were produced by anger.

Be that as it may

we needed to put the fliers on trial.

I decided everything.

Onishi just prepared things.

Yes.

No one suggested it.

I heard about it indirectly.

The defense of the law

and the spirit of Japanese
military regulations.

Of course I was.

Ideally, I should have.

But, the bombing was relentless.

We were frantic in trying to deal
with American attacks.

In no way.

No. It was punishment.

I was.

It was not retaliation.
It was punishment.

This negated the positive
questions of the judges.

I took suggestions from no one.

It was my own idea, my own action.

May I make a statement?

At the Tokyo War Crimes Trial,

and in these Yokohama trials

for other B- and C-Class
war criminals,

defendants were not given a chance
to speak about bombing

by American airplanes.

This trial is a generous exception.

Today, looking at our conduct
during the war

in a cool, judicial light

we can be criticized fairly.

But, we did the best we could,
surviving day to day,

bearing an impossible burden.

I am satisfied with the amazing way

our soldiers defended our country.

I am eternally grateful
to this Commission.

My gratitude is like a clear blue sky.

This gratitude is shared
by the Japanese in this room.

Soon, all Japanese will hear how
magnanimous you have been.

They, too, will be grateful.

This gratitude will form

a spiritual bond, with America
as elder brother

and Japan as younger brother

uniting our countries in the future.

The wedding of our son, Akira,
took place that day.

It was clear that my husband
had decided to die.

We all wanted him to see
the newlyweds

and be happy and at peace.

This will be my last appearance
in court.

Whatever my own verdict

I wish for my subordinates
to be treated with mercy.

Thank you.

I am content.

"Okada's 19 subordinates received
sentences from 10 years to life."

Thank you all.

You young people must work
for peace

in the new era ahead.

You're all on your own now.

So do the right thing
by your conscience.

Goodbye.

We salute our commander!

My husband was at peace

for the first time since
the end of the war.

How sweet this wine

Under a radiant moon

Spurred on by the lute player

Riding his horse

Do not laugh at me

Drunk in the desert sand

For ages, there have been soldiers...

Who have not returned from here

Humanity must eradicate war

by whatever means necessary.

But, I am afraid that wars

will be with us forever in this world.

The quest for peace

should be pursued anew

in different ways from the past.

Excuse us.

Glad you're here. Well, not glad.

It's an honor for us.

Sit down.

It's unjust that you've been given
the death sentence.

Your sentences will be commuted

so please live in hope.

We will.

Thank you, sir.

But, I don't think things
will be resolved

if I ask for a
lighter sentence.

I volunteered to
execute Americans.

My hands cut off
people's heads.

I accept the reality of my verdict.

But what am I...

I who am facing death?
I want an answer to this.

That's the spirit to have.

That's the proper path.

Make sure that your spirit
and actions always coincide.

Yes, sir.

Don't worry about mum.

Many young men awaiting execution
came to learn from him.

He wished to show others the way,

and through ascetic training

approach Buddhahood himself.

Tasuku Okada inspired young people
with his faith for 16 months.

Hello.

Hello.

Oh, really?

The time's come.

You've helped us.

I've taught you all I can.
There's nothing to worry about now.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Aspire to great things.
Devote yourself to them.

I will.

You've been so kind.

Take care now. Live life
to the fullest.

It's not right!

No, don't say that.

You stay here, boys.

Sir. We'll be fine.

I hope and dream

I will return to
My old hometown

With its beautiful
Green mountains

And its crystal clear
Rivers and streams

When the sentence was reviewed

one judge recommended

that it be reduced to life in prison.

Four judicial officers with GHQ

called for "death by firing squad"
instead of hanging.

This is an honor equivalent to
death in battle.

The illegality of indiscriminate
bombing was shown.

This would have given Okada
much joy.

He would have thought, "We won
the legal battle!"

But, in the end, Gen. MacArthur

rejected the findings of the review.

My husband's will went as follows...

"Do not honor me when I'm gone.

I require no funeral service.

Haruko... has this life been short
or long?

It has seemed both.

I am deeply indebted to you.

I cannot thank you enough.

Thanks to your pure love

I have been able to fulfill my duties.

We have brought two children
into this world.

We should feel content.

Were I to have one desire, it would be
to see little Hiroko grow up...

Were I to have had my
remaining years

I would have dearly loved
to look after

my elderly wife.

Together with our whole family...

I firmly believe in eternal life..."

My husband is awaiting execution
as a war criminal

but I am ever proud to be his wife.

If we are given life in the other world

it is my ardent wish that we meet
and be joined together again.

That is the kind of man
Tasuku Okada was.

Beautiful moon, isn't it?

Best wishes...

Farewell.

It's just like going next door...

"After the war, 908 war criminals
were executed."

"This came to 1068 with deaths
by illness and suicide."

"On May 31, 1958, Col. Hajime Onishi,"

"the last Tokai Army prisoner,
was released from prison."