Original subtitles

Attention!

Last year, on December 12th...

...several participants in the bombing of Clark Field in the Philippines, namely...

...Flight Sergeant 1st-Class Kawata and eight officers, were shot down.

Though listed as dead, on January 2nd...

...after the 14th Army Unit's invasion of Manila, they were rescued from a US prison camp.

At that time in Japan...

...prejudice against those who became prisoners of war was beyond current imagining.

"Do not live to endure the shame of being a prisoner of war."

To be a POW meant ostracism, not only of oneself but of one's entire family.

Coupled with the Japanese mentality, this created a military force...

...that would die rather than surrender.

Hence, the focus of the discussion was, needless to say, the issue of why...

...Flight Sergeant 1st-Class Kawata and the eight officers did not commit suicide.

Can we not think of a way that they might live, instead of ways to kill them?

I understand how you must feel.

All eight officers have been publicly listed as casualties of war.

Hence the situation is quite difficult.

Chief...

if we lose planes, we can always make more.

But pilots are not made in a day.

Indeed, going down with the ship, exploding with one's plane, these are beautiful ideals.

However, our Air Corps cannot fight like that.

We implore you to find a way to be lenient.

But the conclusion of this incident was not what Onishi had hoped for.

We should've killed ourselves. We're a disgrace to the Navy.

We're traitors! We should've killed ourselves.

I'm going to die... I'm going to die!

That's enough!

Calm down! Enough!@

Stupid jackass! What's your little death going to accomplish?

What's it going to accomplish?!

I will die! I will die!

One month later, shortly after Chief of Staff Onishi was transferred inland...

...the eight officers were ordered to launch a single-plane attack on Port Moresby.

Single-plane attack, with no other planes as escort.

The command was tantamount to suicide.

Thank you very much!

It's from the Kawata plane.@

What's the matter? Is that all?

Yes sir.

Note: This is the official war declaration document.

"We, the Emperor, ruler by divine providence

of the Empire of Great Japan...

"...hereby clearly and valorously declare war...

"...against the United States and Great Britain."

Mere six months after the start of the Pacific War...

...the western Pacific and Southeast Asia were under complete Japanese control.

But, after the six-month war of attrition on Guadalcanal...

...Japan's strategic position began to deteriorate.

Even the Air Force, which had once thought itself invincible, had, by mid-1944...

...lost most of the elite pilots that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Furthermore, U.S. war industrial output was six times greater than Japan's...

...and was manufacturing new types of heavily-armed fighter planes...

...that established U.S. air superiority. By the summer of 1944...

...having lost Saipan, the critical defensive bastion defending the homeland...

...Japan's prospects had become dire indeed.

Allied forces could now attack Japanese-held territory...

...from multiple staging points in the Pacific.

What would be their next move?

While Japanese military intelligence anxiously tried to answer this question...

...a fierce debate raged between the Allied commanders.

Admiral King emphasized the importance of immediately invading Taiwan...

...while General MacArthur argued for the liberation of the Philippines.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff decided upon the capture of the Philippines.

The Philippines became the focal point of the entire war.

For Japan, losing the Philippines meant losing crucial Southern Pacific resources.

In one fell swoop, the enemy would gain access to Taiwan, to Okinawa, and even the homeland.

The strategy for defending the Philippines was codenamed SHO-1.

At this stage of the war, it was a battle that they absolutely could not afford to lose.

Meanwhile, Onishi had been promoted to Vice Admiral...

...and was Vice Director of the Department of Air Weapons on the Naval General Staff.

However, the star of the Naval Air Corps was headed for the battlefront yet again.

The Emperor himself presided over his appointment as Commander of the First Air Fleet.

We can no longer win this war with ordinary tactics.

We must use special attack tactics to destroy the enemy; there is no other way.

I am petitioning the Naval General Staff to organize " special attack" units.

Therefore, I have come to you, Vice Admiral Onishi, for a letter supporting my plan.

Please, give me your recommendation!

To turn the tide in our favor, we must not just be willing to die; it is now necessary that we die.

My firm belief is that we must make self-sacrificing attacks.

We'll pack 1,800 kilograms of explosives in the nose, and fly to the target.

From a height of 6,000 meters, it will enter a dive...

...and plunge into the enemy at a very high speed.

I'm against it. We can't turn our pilots into ammunition.

We cannot be so cruel towards our pilots.

I could never agree to such disgusting tactics.

Look at this. Accidents happen, everyday, even here at the base.

We are forced to send our pilots into battle with only 200 hours of flight time.

To expect skilled piloting is a dream of the past.

They can take off, and fly to the target locations. That's about all...

...we can ask from our current cadre of pilots.

This is absolutely unacceptable!

No matter how bad things are, we can use our brains to find a better solution.

Please support my suicide-attack plan!

Vice Director Onishi, why are you silent?!

The demand for suicide attacks is getting more insistent.

I believe that the Navy must make a firm decision on how to proceed.

Please give me your opinion.

My opinion?

Well... it'd be easy to order a suicide attack if a plane was too damaged to return to base.

But to deliberately launch suicide attacks?

There is no precedent for it in all the long history of warfare around the world.

I did not come here to debate tactics.

I have come to inquire of the Navy's decision about the SHO-1 operation.

Are we going to implement suicide attacks?

I'm aware of the situation. I'm aware of it. But...

Let's say that we implement this strategy.

If it is a failure, the effect on military morale will be catastrophic.

We need the Combined Fleet's opinion... yes...

We can't decide anything until we hear the Combined Fleet's opinion.

The question is whether or not we can maintain discipline...

...if the tactic is employed.

Am I correct to assume, then, that the Combined Fleet...

...is against the implementation of suicide attacks?

I am not saying that I am against it.

Only that it needs more study.

We have done all the research, based on our earlier skip-bombing training.

I believe you are already familiar with the results, as presented in the report.

Undeniably, the suicide attack tactic is not palatable.

But if we are going to bring calm to the current maelstrom...

...then someone... then some, brave, someone must...

...belt the cat. We need such courage more than ever before.

Chief. I implore you. Please decide in its favor.

I just finished the assignment ceremony at the Imperial Court.

I will be departing for the Philippines tomorrow morning.

Well done. Come, have a seat.

An enemy B-29 has been spotted,

heading north above Sagami Harbor... Did it come from Saipan?

An enemy B-29 has been spotted,

heading north above Sagami Harbor... Most likely.

This war has turned out just as you predicted.

Like Yamamoto, you were opposed to the Japan-Germany-Italy Tripartite Pact.

You never took an aggressive stance, even in the beginning of the war.

You opposed the big battleships, instead you championed the use of aircraft.

You even advocated changing the Navy emblem from the anchor to a propeller.

Knowing this, it is cruel of us to send you off to the Philippines so unceremoniously.

But we need you to do this.

For you are the only man who can do it.

There is one thing that I want you to understand.

It's regarding the special attack tactic that is currently being debated by the Navy.

I want you to leave the decision on whether to use it in the Philippines in my hands.

Needless to say, I will take full responsibility for the success or failure of the air mission.

Is that acceptable?

The enemy B-29 is still headed north above Sagami Harbor.

Although no other enemy airplanes have been spotted, everyone must remain vigilant.

Hey, the evening primrose is about to blossom. Hurry up and come out here. Hurry.

Come on, you're going to miss it.

Yoshi-e, Yoshi-e.

Hey, mother.

Evening primrose again?

Yeah... so you were listening?

Couldn't help it, I could hear you from across the street.

We are grateful for your efforts.

Thanks.

Under different circumstances, I would've been grateful for my promotion...

...but this time it's as if His Majesty has given me the dagger as well.

I've finally found this. It's not a name brand, but its sharpness is guaranteed.

Please take it with you to the Philippines, as a memento from me.

You're going too, you know.

What? I'm going to the Philippines too?

Yeah. You'll help us construct an airfield.

Good grief! I'm going from scrounging to digging ditches?

Driver will come for you at 06:00 tomorrow morning.

Come back here, and don't be late.

Good grief...

Welcome.@

Ma'am, it looks like I'll never have time to find a wife while I'm working for your man here.

Look, it's about to bloom.

It's blooming, it's blooming.

The following morning, Onishi and his staff departed from Tokyo and flew to Fukuoka.

At Hakozaki Shrine, they prayed for good fortune in war.

Hey, Hiko-chan, when did you arrive?

Last night. I went to Air Corps and they said you guys were here.

They told me to bring this to you.

Read it for me.

Yes.

Looks like there was a massive air strike on Okinawa this morning.

All we know so far is that it was a large B-29 formation that flew in from China.

That's not right.

What's not right?

It's just a hunch, but they didn't fly in from China.

I think the attack was launched from a fleet of carriers.

And if that is the case...

...then building new runways will be a waste of time.

Then what am I supposed to do?

Wait in Shanghai with Yoshida. Be ready to leave at any time.

Yes sir, understood.

Onishi's intuition was correct.

General MacArthur's invasion force, escorted by Admiral Halsey's fleet...

...was headed straight for the Philippines.

"I have returned...

"...with a colossal fleet of six battleships, eighteen aircraft carriers...

"...and 700 other vessels escorting the flagship USS Nashville...

"...carrying 174,000 elite US soldiers, men who have defeated Nazi Germany...

"...men who are the greatest warriors the world has ever seen."

"The ocean covered with our ships as far as the eye can see...

"...and it is with them that I have returned to Leyte."

"I have returned, indeed. I have returned."@

Facing this enemy horde was the First Air Fleet, with only fifty operational aircraft.

What's that vehicle doing here?

It's got a general's flag. It can't be Chief Onishi, can it?

If that's Chief Onishi, then Commander Yamamoto should be with him.

He just arrived yesterday. I'm sure he's busy making his social calls.

Why would he ever come to a godforsaken place like this?

Chief!

So what's it like here? Everyone doing fine?

Yes sir.

The morale is very high.

There's something I need to discuss with you all.

Why don't we... all go back to my inn?

Yes sir.

All of you know the true state of the war...

...and that if SHO-1 fails, all is lost.

We must...

...by whatever means, defeat the enemy's seaborne forces.

And in no more than a week...

...we have to render the flight decks of the enemy carriers useless.

To accomplish this...

...we will have to load each of our Zeros with 250 kilos of explosives...

...and send them on suicide-bombing attacks. I don't believe there's any other way.

What are your thoughts?@

Well?

Well?

I am only the Executive Officer of our Air Corps.

I cannot make such a decision for the entire squadron.

I must wait for Commander Yamamoto to return from Manila, and see what he has to say.

I have already met with Commander Yamamoto in Manila.

He said I should treat the words of the Executive Officer...

...as if they were his own, and that he trusts in your decision.

Chief. Please give me about 30 minutes to think about this.

Excuse me.

What it is, sir? It's very late.

Gather everyone in the 10th squadron together.

Yes sir.

...So I'm waiting for...

Is something wrong, sir?

Coming in!

Everyone's here, sir.

Listen carefully. What I'm about to tell you...

...must never be discussed outside of this room.

Today, Commander-in-Chief Onishi came to see me.

He proposed launching a suicide mission...

...packing 250 kilos of explosives into our Zeros.

However...

...I have not given him my approval yet.

First I want to hear...

...your frank opinions.

I will do it.

Please let me do it, Executive Officer!

I will go too!

I will do it too!

Me too!

Me too!

Me too!

Me too!

Me too!

I will go too! I will go too!

Please let us!

You really...

...really want to do this?

It's not a matter of wanting to do it or not.

All of us have been together since we were your students at flight school in Matsuyama.

And look at us now...

At Tinian, Yap, and Palau...

...two-thirds of our comrades have been killed by those Yankee bastards.

We have to avenge their deaths.

Otherwise, we couldn't face them in the next life.

That's right. We're all going to die eventually anyway.

So we might as well crash ourselves into an aircraft carrier.

You'll see. I'll sink an entire ship by myself!

This is our chance for revenge!

Everyone, let's do this!

Yeah!

Come in...

Come in... Entering...

Reporting. The 201st Flying Corps...

...has decided to carry out the suicide attack.

Regarding the attack planning, please leave everything up to the 201st Flying Corps.

I'm going to take a little nap. I suggest you guys do the same.

As you were... As you were.

Who's going to command the attack force?

I thought I'd let Seki do it.

Seki Yukio?

Yes... He was one of your students at the Naval Academy, wasn't he?

Yeah. So... Seki...

Seki will do well.

Come in...

Come in... Entering...

Have a seat.

Listen, Seki.

The Chief came to see us today. It was about SHO-1.

As you know, Admiral Kurita will be taking his fleet into Leyte Gulf.

To ensure its success...

...we're going to load our Zeros with 250 kilos of explosives, and launch a suicide attack.

Well, that's the Chief's plan.

We want you to accept the white-feathered arrow... and command the attack.

Please allow me to do it.

I see...

Come in...

Come in... Entering...

We have 24 pilots.

We chose a Naval Academy graduate, Seki, to command the assault.

"Shinpu" as "Kamikaze" - religious meaning. Executive Officer Tamai

and I have chosen "Shinpu squadron."

Japan is truly in danger.

Who will rescue us from this danger? Not the Ministry. Not the Generals.

Not the Naval General Staff Secretary-General. Not the Chiefs, like me.

It's those who are pure of heart like children, those who are brimming with energy.

It's only the young who can save us.

Therefore I, on behalf of our entire nation, implore you.

All of you are already gods.

Since you are all Gods, you are free from all desires, except one:

The desire to know that your suicide mission had not been in vain.

However, all of you will be sleeping for a long time.

So you will not know the answer, and there will be no way to let you know.

But... I will take care of the rest.

I will bear witness to the fruits of your accomplishments...

...and will not fail to personally report them to His Majesty.

And after that... I will come and tell you what happened.

Please... do your best!

They've given us eight Zeros; That's unusually generous.

Yeah, I've got a bad feeling about this. What's going on?

I don't know. They just told us to bring them here, so we followed orders.

It's probably a gift from Chief-of-Staff Onishi on occasion of his visit to Mabalacat.

I see... I knew he'd be good to us.

Come in.

What is it?

You won't be keeping me out of the special attack force, will you?

"Kisama:" roughly "bastard"; can be used both angrily and affectionately. You bastard... so you know about it?

The Flight Captain and I are old comrades.

Four planes were brought in today to Cebu to be used in a suicide squadron.

I'm assuming it's permissible for me to go too.

Thank you very much.

I will eventuality fail...

...into an ocean a thousand fathoms deep.

Flowers will bloom on the waves... above my blue grave.

Huh?! It's the Chief!

As you were... as you were.

All of you, sit down.

Hey...

Hey... Yes sir.

Yes sir.

Let me have the canteen. Yes sir.

Let's drink together.

Thank you, sir.

What prefecture are you from?

From Shizuoka, sir.

Shizuoka? It's nice.

Yes sir.

We're counting on you.

Yes sir.

How about you?

From Fukui, sir!

Are your parents doing well?

Yes sir.

We're counting on you. Yes sir.

Enemy aircraft! Enemy aircraft!

US Bombing raids continued relentlessly for 19, 20, then 21 days.

When will we ever launch our attack?

I heard that reconnaissance managed to locate the enemy carriers twice!

How much longer must we wait?

The Chief hasn't given the order yet.

And besides, they're a long way away.

I told him that I'm not letting you guys go until we're absolutely sure.

So hang in there. Hang in there just a little longer.

Shit!

Seki... Yes sir.

Give me a memento, something to remember you by.

Huh?

Huh? It's not for me... the Chief insists.

I understand.

The US submarines Darter and Dace...

...spotted the Japanese fleet off the Palawan Passage, at dawn on October 23.

Vice Admiral Kurita's armada was spearheaded by the battleships Musashi and Yamato.

They were the leading actors on the stage of SHO-1.

Decoy fleets were launched to lure the enemy away from Leyte Gulf.

Meanwhile, the battleships, with their massive 46cm guns, crept towards Leyte Gulf.

Their mission was to pulverize MacArthur's 100,000 men when they tried to invade.

Periscope at 90� to port, distance: 0-5-0!

Ready the depth charges!

Man your stations!

And so, over three days, what may be the last great fleet battle in history took place.

Enemy attack, 135�, elevation 10�!

235�, elevation 10�.

Open fire!

Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!

Ten planes, 180�, fire, fire!

Got him! Good shooting!

Enemy planes!

Enemy planes!

90� right, elevation 20�!

90�, elevation 20�!

Fire!

Assholes! Screw it! Now I'm getting really pissed off!

Gunny!

Gunny!

Shit!

The Musashi received a death-blow.

But the Musashi's death was not in vain.

Admiral Halsey, upon learning of the Musashi's struggles on the Sibuyan Sea...

...assumed that Kurita's fleet had been devastated.

Having spotted Ozawa's decoy fleet, he next headed north to intercept them.

The watchdog had been lured out of Leyte; Japan's strategy was a splendid success.

Target: enemy ships deployed off the coast of Samal. Be careful.

Synchronize watches to 7:00...

Fifteen seconds...

Ten seconds...

Five seconds...

Set!

We're off.

Let's go.

Any comments? Just a comment, Captain Seki.

Please don't make a big deal out of this. It's normal for soldiers to die on the battlefield.

Okay... I'm going to go die to protect my wife, the person that I love the most.

Entering!

We've received a report about the Shinpu Shikishima Squadron's mission!

Report to Imperial Headquarters:

October 25, 1944.

At 10:45 AM, the Shinpu Shikishima Squadron...

...attacked an enemy fleet containing four aircraft carriers 30nm north-east of Suluan island.

The surprise attack was a success.

Two planes struck an aircraft carrier. It has been confirmed as sunk.

One plane struck another aircraft carrier, which is in flames.

One plane struck a cruiser, it has sunk. End.

Make sure you write, "one plane struck," and "two planes struck." Do you understand?

"One plane... two planes."

Yes sir.

Seizing their chance, the Japanese Navy launched more suicide attacks.

However, the chance for victory had already come and gone.

Misled by incorrect intelligence, Kurita's fleet turned back as they neared Leyte Gulf...

...and SHO-1 ended in failure. The US gained momentum.

They invaded Mindoro island, and reconnoitered the main island of Luzon.

Then early the next year, on January 6th, 1945...

...the last five planes of the 20th Flying Corps, from Kongo Squadron, took to the air.

With no more planes in the Philippines, Onishi and his men became ground troops.

Enemy planes attacking! Everyone take cover!

Take cover! Take cover!

Take cover!

Chief! You have to get down!

Chief! Why did you do that?

Well... I was just observing the enemy planes.

Please don't be so rash.

I know, I know...

Chief. We have orders from the Combined Fleet.

What do they want me to do now? There's nothing left to be done.

You've been ordered to move your headquarters to Taiwan.

What?

The order is effective as of the 8th. That's today.

Not yet...

it is not yet time for me to die.

Attention!

Attention!

Fall in!

Chief, please wait.

Please stay with us in the Philippines.

Commander Sata!

It is only because you have been our commander, Chief... Chief Onishi...

...that we have all gladly endured the hardships of this war.

Can you acknowledge it?

If so, please stay. I ask you on behalf of the entire unit.

Stay in the Philippines, and fight the enemy with us, once again.

I cannot.

Why not?!

Please understand.

If you're going to forsake us, then I am bold enough to say, Chief...

...that you are a coward!

That's right. You are a coward!

You sent the special attack forces on their missions.

You stood on the ground in the Philippines and saw them off.

But now, you're going to leave? I don't understand it!

Chief. Chief Onishi! You are a coward!

You fool!

You...

...fool.

You can't fight a war with that kind of mentality.

Considering the current state of the war, with the enemy in control of the Philippines...

...their forces are fast approaching the shores of Japan.

Their air-raids on the mainland are intensifying with each passing day...

...while our ability to wage war is in every way reduced...

...and our ally Germany is similarly beset.

We must admit that our situation is most precarious.

However, the real war is yet to begin.

The enemy is growing weaker.

Now all Japanese must become special attack warriors, endure a long war...

...and find every means at our disposal to kill as many of the enemy as possible.

Then the Americans, who fear the loss of their lives, will be defeated.

This is the path we must follow to achieve a glorious victory.

In a battle on land, it is impossible for one man to kill a hundred enemies...

...but our flying corps is able to kill a ship and hundreds of its men with a single plane.

We can fight a fight that is worth dying for.

Victory or defeat is determined in the final battle.

Even if we are defeated 99 times, if we win the final battle, then we are the winners.

If we can win that final battle, America will consider peace with Japan.

The war will be a draw. And a draw is a win for Japan.

We might not call it a victory, but it won't be a defeat, either!

The deployment of you fine men of the Shinpu Special Attack Force...

...ensures that even if the impossible happens and we lose the war...

...Japan will not be vanquished.

Our strength of will and lofty spirit are ideals...

...that demonstrate our superiority over the white man.

But, if defeated without demonstrating such character...

...Japan would truly be a ruined nation, a people without hope.

Death is not our goal. But let us be willing to die...

...so that we can kill the enemy more effectively. Choose the most valuable way to die!

I know it's short notice, but could you talk to the suicide troops about the homeland?

The homeland is in shambles from air-raids.

I can't tell them the truth.

And I can't lie to those who are about to die. I can't do that.

Please... if there is any way you can encourage them.

I myself have nothing to say.

I understand.

I'm counting on you.

Though we are not related in blood and flesh, we still get along, and never want to part.

Chief... How are things back home?

I hear they've been hit with a lot of air-raids.

You guys are about to go on a mission, so I won't lie to you. I'll be honest with you.

It's true that it's just as bad back home as it is here on the front lines.

But everyone takes heart, knowing that you men are unleashing the Divine Wind.

That's too much. Please don't tell the people back home exaggerated stories about us.

After all, we're in a war; it's going to be a good death no matter where we die.

But... for who are you all willing to die so calmly?

Is it for your country? Or is it for His Majesty the Emperor?

We don't need to make a fancy statement with our deaths. Right, guys?

I guess I could say I'm going to go die for the old man.

Admiral Onishi?

Admiral Onishi? Yeah. He wants to die too, you know.

But we can't let him die. We have to go before he does.

But please, don't tell the old man what I said.

Understood.

Hurry up!

Hurry, hurry, please hurry up!

The Special Attack Force can't take off if the enemy planes come. Faster!

Boss, this is my flight-bento, please give it to someone who's hungry.

That's for you to eat.

If I get full I'll get sleepy. Then who knows, I might miss the enemy.

We're waiting for the runway.

What kind of bento do the Special Attack Forces get?

So that's the last meal.

Originally, the Special Attack Forces were Rear Admiral Onishi's...

...last-ditch tactic, to be used only in a dire emergency.

But upon learning how effective it was, Imperial HQ changed its position...

...and ordered all units to make suicide attacks whenever possible.

Nobody will understand.

About what?

The... suicide attacks...

...violate every rule of leadership.

"Even after my coffin is buried, my reputation will be unsettled."

"Even after a hundred years I will not be understood."

Chief...

Chief...

Let's get going.

In this way, suicide missions became official policy...

...and the lives of hastily-trained volunteers were expended as if they were bullets.

Furthermore, suicide missions became less and less effective as the US adapted to the tactic.

Target-hitting accuracy, which was 80% in the Leyte gulf...

...dropped to 50% in Okinawa.

Onishi's greatest fear became reality. Of the men who were ordered to die...

...more than a few rebelled and refused to participate in special attacks.

Blame, criticism, and vilification was heaped upon the father of the special attacks.

Onishi had to bear it, all alone.

Japan's do-or-die counterattacks could not stop the US march towards the homeland.

Large formations of B29s flew almost every day from bases in the Mariana islands...

...indiscriminately fire-bombing cities, large and small, all over Japan.

Eighty-one cities were razed, 2,400,000 houses burned, and 240,000 civilians killed.

It was up to the elite aviators of the 302nd Air Corps squadron of Atsugi Air Base...

...men tempered in the skies above Rabaul, commanded by Captain Kozono Yasuna...

...to rise to meet the overwhelming US forces and protect the Tokyo area.

Hey, one B shot down, confirmed. Report it for me.

I'm gonna shoot down two or three more. Hurry!

Yes sir!

Hurry! Yes.

Slow... slow... stop.

I'll turn it around.

Hey Kaida. My plane's wing-tank's been hit.

We can't fill it up. Let me use your plane.

Divisional Captain, please tend to ground affairs, I'll go do the rest.

Don't get cocky, you're not that good. Now get out!

I mustn't!

Out you get!

Divisional Captain, you can't borrow it for free. I'll bill you later.

Fine, we'll have a shogi duel when I return, so go set up the board.

What did you find out?

Um... We just got word from the Air Defense Command Post in Yokosuka.

He crashed in Hodogaya.

Who's got custody of the body?

The Third Mechanics Unit is getting him.

You stay here! I'll go check on it!

Kaida!

Kaida! Hey!

Stop!

Stand down! The ammo's exploding from the heat. Let's wait a while!

It's like Captain Arai's ghost is here.

Kaida.

I'm sorry. Please pardon me.

It should have been me, not the Divisional Captain.

Come with me.

You jackass!

It wasn't you that I hit. I hit the God of Death that's following you around.

The God of Death stays close to weepy guys. You can't do your duty like that.

The 302nd Air Corps is not a suicide squad. As long as we're alive, we fight the enemy.

That's our duty. Think hard about how much the people are counting on us.

You can't afford to cry.

Nakai... Sir!

Don't offer that sake to the dead. Let Kaida drink it instead.

Yes sir, I will.

Back to work!

In May, 1945, the First Air Fleet in Taiwan was disbanded.

Vice Admiral Onishi was appointed Vice Director of the Naval General Staff...

...and ordered home.

Welcome home.

It burned down very nicely.

I'm so sorry I couldn't rescue our things.

Where's mother?

She was evacuated to Shimonida in Gunma.

Were you living here all by yourself?

No... my relatives, the Chi'iras, have been letting me stay with them at night.

I just spend my days here...

...to make sure you could find the house when you return.

I've wandered here and there, truly, I've been lost.

It's short notice, but the Vice Director must present himself at the Imperial Court...

...so could you please prepare his dress uniform?

Oh no. It's been burnt. Had I thought of it, I would've run out of the house wearing it.

I see.

I'll see if I can borrow one from somewhere.

Alright... please do.

Yes sir.

Good job.

I'll make some tea.

Yeah.

Oh... Onishi.

Thank you for all your efforts.

Everyone, my apologies to you all.

Your homes of many years are in ashes, and it's all the fault of us soldiers.

I sincerely apologize. Please find a way to forgive me.

I only have a little to share, but...

Rock candy!

Here you go.

Thank you.

Here.

Here.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Here, Missus.

Thank you very much.

Here's a present for you.

I can't say that it flatters me.

I can't let the ladies see me like this. But since it's just the Emperor, who cares?

You look like you've lost some weight.

My countenance has become ugly.

This outfit makes me look like Kiratsune has become a Vice Admiral.

Where will your next official residence be?

Nanpeidai, in Shibuya.

Would it be alright for me to stay there?

You can stay wherever you want. But not there, not when we're at war.

There are people, parents and children, struggling to survive.

The suicide warriors went to their deaths without even knowing family-life.

How then can I enjoy married life?

Yes.

I shook hands with them, with these hands, and sent them off on suicide missions.

Six hundred and fourteen young men.

Six hundred and fourteen of them...

Meanwhile, the war in Europe was drawing to an end.

In September of the previous year, Italy, an ally of Japan, was conquered by the Allies...

...and the fascist dictator Mussolini was executed by partisans.

In May of the same year, Germany fell under the onslaught of the Russian Army...

...and the Nazi Fuhrer Hitler committed suicide.

In this way, Japan found itself catastrophically isolated, with the entire world as its enemy.

The Army believes that if we had 2,000 special attack planes...

...we could devastate the enemy invasion force at sea.

But is there any solid data to confirm this?

Yes sir.

We have results from experiments at Takeyama Air Base, based on the Vice Director's idea.

If you look at the data and photos, they will speak for themselves.

Using model No: 25 and No: 50 bombs...

...we tested the effects on the armor used by enemy aircraft carriers and battleships.

We rammed the explosives into the targets at the appropriate speed, and the results show...

...that only transport ships could be sunk; The heavier ships could survive the hits.

Vice Admiral, what is your point of view?

Yes.

Though we can't sink them...

...it's possible to crush their morale with continuous suicide attacks.

The US military calculates their estimated losses for each operation.

When their losses exceed this estimate, they scrap the mission.

That's been their pattern up until now.

We don't know what they estimate their losses on a mainland invasion will be...

...but if we unrelentingly employ special attacks, we may convince them to cancel it.

But they will respond by increasing their control over our airspace.

Our planes would be destroyed as soon as they arrive at our airfields...

...before they could depart on special attack missions.

Strategies based on suicide tactics are unrealistic.

I admit that what you say is well within the realm of possibility.

Hence, my belief is that we should not wait for the enemy to make its move.

We must regain control of our airspace with bold and aggressive attacks.

Regarding this issue, I will have Divisional Director Terai explain our plan.

Yes sir.

We propose a ground special attack on the enemy air bases on Saipan and Tinian...

...aimed at destroying enemy planes such as the B29s.

On a moonlit night, we land airborne troops using the enemy's own runways.

They will then use mines to destroy the target planes.

We have already begun combat training for the mission at Matsushima Air Base.

We already have several factories working on perfecting the mines.

When can we launch the attack?

Based on the lunar phase and the training progress of the troops to be deployed...

...our goal is early August.

How can you avoid enemy anti-aircraft fire?

If we shadow an enemy squadron as it returns from a raid on the mainland...

...we believe that it's possible to arrive at the targets with minimum casualties.

Vice Director, regarding this issue, we have a plea from the training unit at Matsushima...

...to try out their swords on American POWs in preparation for hand-to-hand combat.

What should we do?

Such a plea, from those who are willing to sacrifice their lives on a mission...

...cannot be coldly denied.

I am absolutely opposed! We cannot kill defenseless prisoners of war.

It would be inhumane!

If news of this were to leak to the US military, it would fuel their morale and rage!

Look at what happened to Italy and Germany after they were defeated.

We would be accused of war crimes. We would be getting ourselves into grave trouble.

His Highness Prince Takamatsu is present at this meeting.

Vice Director, are you saying that it would be acceptable to implicate His Highness?

First Divisional Director, is that the way you should speak to me?

I apologize.

Not only will His Highness have to bear the responsibility...

...everyone in the military will be held accountable.

However, the First Divisional Director's views may have some merit.

So we shall reconsider this matter at a later time.

However, it is defeatist to even discuss post-war considerations at this time!

I am willing to bet everything on a single battle, no matter what our situation might be.

And that final battle is the only one that we absolutely cannot afford to lose.

Winning that battle is the only parting gift we can give those who have gone before us.

Perhaps some of you have already given up...

...believing calculations on paper that we are outnumbered, and that we cannot prevail.

But we must never give in!

We must be thoroughly committed to this war; never forget that!

Vice Director! You are out of line.

As for the mission proposed by the Vice Director, continue the preparations.

Today's council is hereby adjourned.

Minister...

Uncle. It's been a long time.

So you're back.

We got a telegram saying to come back at once. We flew directly from Shanghai.

What is the occasion?

It's copper. Copper.

Copper?

The torpedoes used for special sea attacks have been duds. Upon investigation...

...it was because aluminum was used for the main fuse.

We don't have enough copper to make the electrical circuits.

We asked Headquarters, but they could only give us 1/16 of the needed amount.

We can't just send the young men of the suicide forces out to die in vain. Any ideas?

It's Yamashita, entering.

Yeah.

Ah...

Thanks.

Copper... you can find it all over the place.

Wherever a bomb's hit, you can find electric lines buried everywhere in the rubble.

Copper electric lines are 99% pure.

If we dug them up, we could salvage a considerable amount.

I see. In that case, get on it immediately.

Acknowledged.

By the way, old man...

...the citizens are exhausted.

If the war is going to continue, then something drastic needs to be done.

His Majesty the Emperor must directly lead the nation.

He must live in the same way as the citizens and the soldiers, and fight along with them.

Even the Meiji Emperor went to Hiroshima during the Russo-Japanese War.

We're all suffering, and yet His Majesty stays cloistered in the Imperial Palace?

Don't say such things.

Yes sir.

That's not copper! It's no good. Next!

Hey, hey... why don't you give her something.

Okay.

If you need more workers, you could get some prisoners released.

I'll put them to good use, you'll see.

That's a good idea.

Anyway, Mr. Seki-ne, your assistance with the transportation has been very helpful.

As a result, I won't let His Excellency Onishi down.

Even a gambler such as myself can contribute to his country. I'm grateful for the chance.

But look, Mr. Kodama. if the Navy needs help from gamblers, the future isn't rosy.

It's only the citizens who are suffering.

Government administrators and senior statesmen aren't suffering at all.

That's the problem.

Could you use something like this?

That's a fine Kan'non statue. Young lady, you should take good care of it.

This is the last of my family's things. Please use it to make ammunition or whatever you need.

Please.

Young lady, keep the statue. We'll weigh your good intentions instead.

I don't want any money. But how is the war going?

Don't worry. The war will end soon.

It'll end, while we're losing?

You people... you are all men! How could you speak so irresponsibly?

What have we all been fighting for?!

I may be a woman, but even I want revenge...

Young lady, we're sorry. He only said that because he felt bad for you.

Not one of us accepts the idea of losing the war. I intend to die before it is over.

Please believe in us.

Take cover! Take cover!

Damn you bastards... come down here!

Mr. Seki-ne! Are you okay?

Are you hit?

Man, what a surprise. My balls have shrunk!

If it's broken, my woman will cry.

He's worried about his balls at a time like this. The guy's got nerves of steel!

Hey boss. If you're so worried, why don't you stroke it and see?

Yeah.

Oh. It's fine!

Meanwhile, day by day, Japan's economy was nearing collapse.

Not only was the nation running out of war machines and fuel...

...but even saltpeter, a key ingredient of gunpowder, was in short supply.

The necessities of life were available only in the black-market.

Fearing that this ruinous state of affairs would soon result in a descent into anarchy...

...senior statesmen such as Kono-e Fumimaro...

...made appeals to the Emperor, and maneuvered to end the war.

Prime Minister Suzuki, supported by Foreign Minister Togo and Navy Minister Yonai...

...asked the Soviet Union, which was neutral towards Japan, to act as an intermediary...

...but instead, the Soviet Union declared it was abrogating their treaty.

Soviet diplomatic responses were uniformly vague.

Meanwhile, the military authorities assumed that an invasion would precede any peace.

However, the resources available to mount a defense...

...could only be described as pitifully inadequate.

At the time, these were the weapons provided to the citizen's militia.

Have a look. He's an example of the reservists assigned to our unit.

These folks don't have full uniforms. We have neither guns nor swords for them.

They have no changes of clothes, so their underwear is infested with lice.

All they've been eating are daikon - radish leaves and potato vines.

They're falling down sick left and right from malnutrition and sleep-deprivation.

This is the fact of the matter.

Chief of Staff... are you going to order these people to fight the Americans?

Navy Headquarters ordered the activation of the reservists.

Those orders specified what they should be paid and how they should be equipped.

What else can we do?

Kozono. I truly understand what you are saying.

However, we need you all to endure a little longer.

The enemy will soon land here on the mainland.

At this time, we're preparing for a decisive battle.

We've increased production, and we're stockpiling equipment and provisions.

No matter what Headquarters says, when the time comes...

...I will personally make sure you get everything you need.

Your troops are essential to me. Believe in sure victory, and tough it out for now.

Entering.

Commander Kozono. Atsugi called.

Navy General Staff Vice Director Onishi has gone there to inspect the base.

Oh, that's right. Nakai.

Yes sir.

I'm flying out from Takeyama, go get me a plane.

Yes sir.

It's been chilled at 3,000 meters, so it should be a suitable temperature.

Let's give it a try.

It's nicely chilled. Atsugi's definitely the place for beer.

Come here for a drink anytime. But I also want you to hear what I've got to say.

Your Kagoshima accent's going to turn our beer bitter.

Sorry everyone, but could you please give us some privacy?

Yes sir.

Guy who came back from Shanghai told me that there's a rumor floating around there...

...that the Japanese government is asking the Soviets to mediate for us. Is this true?

I don't have all the facts, but it's probably true.

They're not even considering continuing the war.

What are the top brass panicking about?

And what happens when our men, who risk their lives every day, learn of this?

They might revolt!

I went to the port depot to argue my case.

But when it comes to properly using the reservists, and war strategy...

...the old guard aren't giving it their all.

We'll never win the war with such flaky leadership.

Vice Director Onishi, let me tell you face to face. I'm against suicide attacks.

It's not a path to sure victory. Isn't it a path to sure defeat?

If every person from the Navy, Army, and the nation fights with everything they've got...

...we could win, without having to resort to suicide attacks.

That's the only path we've got toward peace.

It's as you say.

The young men are the only ones who are seriously fighting the Americans.

Certainly, it's possible that suicide attacks might not have been the path to victory.

However, if we weren't so totally committed, our country couldn't rise to the challenge.

If we fight on to the bitter end, our true character will be revealed to all.

The people will truly understand what it means to be Japanese.

Only then can we be sure that the next generation will follow the right path.

If we agree to peace now, the nation of Japan will have learned nothing from this war.

The young men making suicide attacks are sacrifices for this cause.

Yes sir, it is as you say, Vice Director. I've overstepped my bounds.

Please forgive me.

No... I understand your point of view.

The time will probably come when I'll be needing your help. Until then, look after yourself.

Soldiers must do their very best within the confines of military law.

If you step outside that, you'll only bring misfortune upon yourself.

Yes sir. I, Kozono, am yours to command, Vice Director.

Hey...

Yes sir.

Is that Kaida's mistress?

No, she's been his fiancee since his school days.

Yes sir.

Your hair's grown longer since the last time I saw you.

Come on, do guys really pay that much attention to such details?

Of course. Because each time I see you could be the very last.

Hey, foxy.

This is what you call "a swan in a garbage dump"?

Kaida, this is inexcusable! Why didn't you tell us that you've got such a fine wife?

Hey, slow down. She's not my wife.

She's the younger sister of a friend from middle school. Show some respect.

No excuses. Enough with your little tryst here.

Let's go to the gun-room and have a grand reception. Right?

Come on, escort her.

Please, this way.

Mr. Yoshinori?

Come on, come on.

You've been captured by riff-raff.

Please, come in.

Please.

Come in.

Here, please come in, Missus.

Please.

Now Missus, this is where you sit.

Hey Kaida! You come and sit right here.

Hurry up!

Leave us alone. We don't want all this fun.

Endure it. We'll leave you alone after the wedding party.

Wedding party? Quit kidding around.

We're not kidding. This is for real! Listen up.

You and Miss Terumi absolutely must get married!

So, with that in mind, look at this.

Cut the crap!

You're making light of a big life-decision.

But you two are seeing each other, hoping that you'll eventually get married, right?

I won't get married while I'm a fighter pilot.

Think about it. What'll happen to her after I die?

She's only 20. She'll be a widow at 20. It's cruel to even think about it.

So what if you're a fighter pilot, it doesn't mean you're going to die!

Love is a moment by moment thing. You're a hypocrite to worry about the future!

Stop your meddling! This is private!

Hey Missus. No matter what he says, would you at least accept our good wishes?

It's fine by me...

Miss Terumi, what are you saying?

Okay then, we're on. The shrine is small, but it'll still be a Shinto wedding.

Everyone, let us be solemn!

Okay, sit down!

Okay, for this couple: Navy First Lieutenant Kaida Yoshinori and Sada Terumi...

...we shall hold a temporary wedding reception.

We can't quite do the traditional three exchanges of nuptial cups, so please bear with us.

What kind of look is that?! Get over yourself already!

Come on, Missus. You've got to look happier than that.

Go ahead, Missus.

Silver wings in formation...

At the front lines in the South...

...vigilant sea-eagles guard.

We are the ammunition of flesh that destroys enemy forces.

We are the glorious Rabaul Air Corps...

Our Navy spirit burns with bravado.

To the South, we see the shining sun.

We defeat the enemy in the clouds...

Mission accomplished. We defeat the enemy in the clouds...

...And on the waves. Good.

We are the glorious Rabaul Air Corps.

(Onishi is writing down the names of dead special attack soldiers)

Chief. The enemy has landed at Leyte; They're consolidating their position.

Shouldn't we stop launching suicide missions now?

The Grumman's are pounding our airfields. If we engage them, we get shot down.

We're short on equipment, and the skill-level of our current pilots...

...makes them easy prey for the enemy. They're pitiful. Just pitiful.

As a leader, it's one of my duties to find beautiful ways for my men to die.

We will continue the attacks.

I believe that this shows the love we have for our young men.

Hey... Listen up.

I'm not going to kill you. I'm letting you go.

So fly to my mom on my behalf. Okay?

I'm asking this of you.

Pilots assemble! Pilots assemble!

"My dearest mother. I, Tsuyoshi, am finally going off to fight.

"I have only one regret... that I must leave my warm and loving mother...

"...without repaying the great debt I owe her.

"Please only praise me for sacrificing my life for the sake of the Empire.

"My dearest mother...

"Though I, Tsuyoshi will die, my spirit will continue to endeavor for the Empire.

"Please do not grieve for me. I, Tsuyoshi, am happy to be part of this glorious act.

"This is what a warrior lives for!

"My dearest mother... Please live a long and happy life.

"I, Tsuyoshi, will embrace your photograph in my heart.

"And thus! And thus will I die a worthy death!

" - Day of attack: Tsuyoshi."

This is Tsuchida, entering.

Alright, come in.

Vice Director, Boss Kodama is on the telephone.

Yes. Connect me...

Hello. It's me.

We got some important information, so I'm calling to let you know.

The Soviet Union is finally massing troops in Russian-Manchuria.

Supposedly there's over a million of them.

In addition, they aren't equipped for winter operations.

Because of this, a faction in the Army has decided to support peace...

...at tomorrow's Supreme War Guidance Conference.

It seems to be Yonai's faction that's pushing for this.

I see. Thanks.

June, 1945. The Soviet Union has conquered Germany.

Using over 1.5 million troops, 4,900 fighter planes...

...and 3,700 tanks, they launched their invasion of Russian-Manchuria.

At the secret Yalta conference, the US promised Sakhalin island and the Kuriles to Russia...

...in return for declaring war on Japan.

Thus the Soviet Union, which was waiting for the perfect moment to declare war...

...delayed acting on the request to help negotiate a peace agreement...

...that had been advocated by Former Foreign Ambassador Hirota and Ambassador Sato.

Please wait until we are graced by the presence of His Majesty.

Cabinet Minister, I have come to make a request.

Please advise His Majesty to never, to never, adopt a path to peace. I implore you.

Mr. Onishi. You are not authorized to enter this room.

Japan will win. We shall assuredly win.

Another 20 million special attackers, just 20 million more, would guarantee victory!

Get out.

If we all, as a group, put our heads together...

...we shall, without a doubt, develop a new plan. I too will think on this.

Please give us some time.

GET OUT!

Mr. Yonai...

Though Mr. Onishi isn't a member of the cabinet, I believe he has a right to express his opinion.

In the time before the Emperor arrives, why don't we hear what he's got to say?

Mr. Toyoda...

Come with us.

Mr. Onishi...

if you've got something to say, then speak privately to me, the Cabinet Minister.

It's most imprudent of you to come barging in here.

What did you bring that sword for?

What's that sword doing here?!

How dare you come to the palace looking like that!

Vice Director Onishi. Apologize for your insolence.

Then say what you want to say.

Please pardon me.

I... merely... want the Cabinet Minister to reconsider.

Let me be frank with you.

The decision to make peace... has been made by His Majesty.

It's not that I don't understand your perspective.

But I will not allow you to interfere in political matters.

I am well aware of that.

However, Cabinet Minister...

To honor the heroic souls of the thousands who have fallen on the field of battle...

...at the very least... let peace come after a victory.

To placate the souls of heroes, we launch suicide attacks.

And to placate those new heroic souls, we would have to launch even more.

It would be an endless cycle... of death and destruction.

But we must still do it.

It is not a matter of how many die. What I am talking about is spirit.

We must honor the spirit of the Japanese people, who have shed so much blood, to the very end.

War is waged in the real world!

Spiritual arguments...

...cannot intrude on the conduct of international politics.

Even now...

...in one region of the country...

...there are reports of starvation and chaos.

How do you expect us to fight on?

I arranged for you to join the Naval General Staff...

...because I believed you were a pragmatic man.

But perhaps my judgment was wrong.

Cabinet Minister...

We all knew that this war was an impossible one, even before we started it.

We all knew that our steel production and oil supplies were inferior to America's.

The premise of the war was illogical, and now we're trying to resolve it logically.

It's a betrayal to the people of the nation.

Furthermore...

...in the constitution set down by the Meiji Emperor...

...and in military law, the word "surrender" does not appear.

Our front-line soldiers fought to the last man believing in that.

They chose the path of suicide over the shame of being taken captive.

If the Imperial decision is to choose peace...

...it would betray the souls of the generals and soldiers who died in battle.

You are urging... His Majesty to take the wrong path.

Do you desire the death and destruction of the hundred-million people of our nation?

I am speaking of our accountability as a nation.

Of course, the living are important.

But we also must think of the souls of those who have died.

Otherwise we shirk our national responsibility.

Cabinet Minister...

...do you feel nothing...

...towards the souls of the special attackers?!

Such insolence!

I, as Cabinet Minister...

...do not let my personal feelings affect political decisions!

Cabinet Minister... Director... please take your seats.

The government's decision to seek peace was decided upon in that meeting.

But it was already too late.

As Ambassador Sato waited, the Soviet leaders continued to stall.

In the meantime, on July 16, the Potsdam Declaration, an ultimatum to Japan...

...was drawn up by the leaders of the US, Great Britain, and China.

That same day, the US detonated the world's first atomic bomb in a desert in New Mexico.

As they no longer needed Soviet participation in the war...

...they wanted complete control over Japanese territory.

The Soviets sought to occupy Manchuria, Hokkaido, and the Kurile islands.

Their struggle for control of the corpse of the Japanese Empire...

...was the opening battle in the US and Soviet Cold War.

The Potsdam Declaration, which demanded Japan's unconditional surrender...

...was announced on July 26th by the US, Great Britain, and China.

Meanwhile, the government, still hoping for Soviet mediation on Japan's behalf...

...had to placate extremists such as Vice Admiral Onishi...

...and so the Prime Minister declared that the Potsdam Declaration would be "ignored."

But the Americans wanted Japan to surrender before the Soviets entered the war...

...so they unilaterally interpreted "ignore" to mean rejection.

They immediately launched a B29 from Tinian island to drop the atomic bomb.

As soon as they learned that the Americans had dropped an atomic bomb, the Soviet Union...

...immediately declared war on Japan, and invaded Manchuria.

The Soviet entry into the war meant that the Americans needed to force Japan...

...to immediately surrender, and so the atomic bomb was used a second time.

As there was now no hope of negotiating a peace, early on August 9th...

...the Emperor informed the government that he had decided to accept...

...the Potsdam Declaration, and the government immediately sent a telegram to the Allies...

...acknowledging their acceptance of unconditional surrender.

"The order to cease fire... the order to disarm...

"These despicable orders are an attempt to destroy the Emperor!"

"Having lost faith in assured victory...

"...the government and the senior officers have committed high treason...

"...and have therefore forfeited their authority to give us orders."

"Therefore, we hereby declare that we will reject any and all of their commands!"

You bastard! "Japan is God's..."

Did you actually send that telegram to all the bases?

Of course. The Army Command Center in Shiba, Commander Koga of the submarine forces...

...the Army Air Corps in Tokorozawa and Sayama...

...and Major Masuda's tank force have responded positively.

This is absurd. This is a declaration of a coup d'�tat. Come to your senses!

Chief... From what you have said, I believe that...

...you are absolutely opposed to accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

All of us here at Yokosuka should take this opportunity to stand together...

...and declare to the government that we will resolutely continue the war!

Kozono, calm down!

The Emperor has made his decision. It's our duty to obey Imperial commands.

It is you who has to think calmly.

Surrendering is a sinister plot hatched by the Emperor's aides!

Not true!

Not true! Our "statesmen" are selling the country out!

Kozono...

His Majesty has said that he can no longer bear to see his people suffer.

We have three months of rice. We're out of fuel.

The production of planes has ground to a halt.

Where do you think we'll get what we need to continue the war?

Chief. Have you lost your mind?!

Only just recently, you told us to hang on...

...to keep the faith, and that we had ample equipment and provisions.

You were the one who inspired us...

...you said that when the time came, you'd lead us, no matter what orders we got.

If what you said was a lie, then you... you are a despicable coward!

Fine. If you are going to obey the government's orders no matter what...

...you should take responsibility for having led Japan into its present misfortunes...

...and all of you should commit suicide!

If you do that, I could return to my unit and convince my subordinates to stand down.

Obey your orders. If not, we will suppress you by force!

Orders be damned! The Atsugi Air Corps will take independent action from now on!

Bastard!

First Lieutenant Nakai! You'd better think about what you're doing.

Go back to your unit and tell them to stop fooling around.

What do you mean, "fooling around"?

We've sacrificed everything for this war! How can we just give up now?!

And you call yourselves professional soldiers?!

That's enough.

Up until yesterday, you boasted to your men about your faith in victory.

Day goes by, and you turn completely around.

You quitters are no longer our peers, no longer comrades in arms!

You are our enemies! Farewell!

Commander?

Shit. You have a terrible fever.

It's Malaria. I had a bout of it in Rabaul.

Shit... This is bad timing.

August 12th: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives...

...the American response to Japan's surrender.

The requirements for disarmament...

...and subordination of the Emperor to the Allied Supreme Commander...

...strengthens the cause of the extremist military faction.

Secretary-Generals Toyoda and Umezu...

...demanded a conference to discuss the American response...

...but Prime Minister Suzuki and Foreign Minister Togo insisted that it was unnecessary.

As a result, progress towards a cease-fire agreement becomes stalled.

Vice Admiral Onishi and others develop a final plan to continue the war.

The cabinet had been in continuous session for two days.

As night fell on the second day, they still had not reached a consensus.

Vice Director Onishi is here. He would like to see the Secretary-General.

Have him come in.

I heard you went to see Prince Takamatsu-no-miya.

The prince does not think as we do.

He said that in as much as His Majesty has no confidence in the military...

...unless there is a plan for assured victory, he would not act as our emissary to him.

He admonished me thus.

For the military to win His Majesty's confidence...

...we must present him with a plan that guarantees victory.

There is no other way to get him to reconsider.

One more month... if we can continue to fight for one more month...

...I believe that we will come up with a good plan.

I too will think upon this with the utmost seriousness.

We need only one more month... will this be possible?

Minister of Foreign Affairs... is there anything you can do?

We would have rejected the Potsdam Declaration if we had a good plan.

The question is, is there such a brilliant move?

Mr. Onishi is talking about finding a way out of a fatal predicament.

I have a good understanding of everyone's points of view.

As to whether we should try to get some concessions from the Americans...

...I'm afraid that our only option is to petition His Majesty to make the decision.

Prime Minister. Enemy air attack! Please go to the shelter.

Your Excellency, please hurry. Secretary-General.

Vice Director Onishi...

Chief Secretary... can we not come up with any ideas?

Isn't there any way... that we could win the war?

Vice Director. Every avenue has been exhausted. All that remains...

...is for you to rein in the rebellious faction of the Navy staff, isn't that so?

I see. So you too think that way.

But how... how do I restrain them?

What is the way of defeat that will satisfy those who have survived, and those who have died?

Mr. Sakomizu.

This war... did not start because the people wanted it.

It's a war of nations.

It's a war of nation against nation...

...which means that it is a war between the leaders of nations.

Until now, hasn't Japan fought to the bitter end?

If His Majesty the Emperor himself stood on the battlefield...

...along with the cabinet ministers, the staff officers, and all our men...

...all of us attacking the enemy with everything we've got...

isn't that the only way defeat could be endured?

To opt for peace or not, that's a decision to be left for the civilians who remain.

I believed there would be a final battle, and that is why I deployed the suicide troops.

The young men of the special attack forces believed this too. That's why, that's why...

...they went gladly... to their deaths!

Mr. Sakomizu...

How many men, do you think, died in the suicide attacks?

Two Thousand Six Hundred men. Two Thousand Six Hundred!

To those men...

To those men...

Who will go to those men to tell them that we've been defeated?

At 10:00 AM the next day, August 14th, the second Imperial Council was held.

The Emperor stated that in order to explain Japan's unconditional surrender...

...he himself would speak to the people of the nation.

As the attendees were overcome with tears of gratitude...

...the decision to end the Pacific War, which had lasted 3 years and 8 months, was made.

Your Majesty... I implore you.

Please continue the war. I implore you.

Please continue the war.

Confections given to us by His Majesty. There's one for each of us.

It was I who had you sent to the Philippines.

I, Yonai, know what's in your heart better than anyone else.

As a military man, you have well-founded reasons for your principles.

However...

...the day had to come, when someone had to say the war must end.

If... not just the Americans...

...but the Soviets also invade the homeland...

...Japan would get partitioned, just like Germany was.

And if that happened...

...then the national spirit of the people, of which you speak, would also become divided.

Maybe each side would get turned against the other.

Indeed...

...surrendering is against the principles...

...of our national policy since the time of the Meiji restoration.

Perhaps His Majesty's decision is not the correct one.

But now...

...the issue isn't whether His Majesty, one man, has made a mistake.

Our priority is to save 60 million citizens. I'm sure you agree.

I ask you to accept today's Imperial Decision as a voice from heaven.

But if you insist on continuing to fight, no matter what...

...you will give me no choice but to kill you.

I understand.

I will... give up.

Come... Let's partake of them.

It's over.

However, the war of the Atsugi Air Corps was not over.

Hinomaru Number Eleven, fly to Kisazaru! Hinomaru Number Eleven, fly to Kisarazu!

Ten enemy Grumman's are bombarding.

Roger!

That day was the final day of combat for Japan's Naval Air Corps.

Kaida! Pull up! Bring your nose up!

Kurashima!

Kurashima! Bail out! Bail out now!

We, reflecting profoundly on the state of the world...

...and the prevailing condition of our empire...

...have decided that extraordinary measures are required to effect a settlement...

...and hereby announce to our good and loyal subjects...

...that we have ordered our government to communicate to the governments...

...of the United States, Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union...

...that our empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration.

The security and well-being of the people, and the prosperity and happiness of the world...

Don't listen to this shit!

...Fate has now dictated that we must bear the unbearable and endure the unendurable.

Now we must work for peace on behalf of the generations yet to come.

We will always be with you, and will work diligently to preserve the nation...

...and our heart is gladdened by your sincerity and goodwill.

We caution you in the strongest terms to treat each other with sincerity...

...and to accept the tide of events, lest we lose the confidence of the world.

Let the entire nation work together as one family, from generation to generation...

...ever confident that the nation will endure for all eternity...

...but also mindful of our grave responsibilities and the long and difficult road ahead.

Come together and devote yourselves to rebuilding the nation...

...cultivate moral rectitude...

Vice Director Onishi... where are you?!

Commander. Commander!

Commander, the broadcast is finished. Shall I...

No, I'll do the talking.

Commander! You can't. Hey, bring me a microphone.

Yes sir!

All of you, stay at your stations and listen. This is Kozono speaking.

You just heard the words of His Majesty!

Japan has finally accepted the Potsdam Declaration, and surrendered.

Because of this, I acknowledge that the Japanese military is to be disbanded.

So now, we begin a war of defense...

...each of us, as regular citizens, defending our home soil!

Gentlemen! Each of you is free to decide whether or not...

...you will fight on.

Therefore, those of you who will fight with me and continue the war...

...remain in your units. Those who do not, return to your homes.

I believe in assured victory, and will keep on fighting no matter what!

Over and out.

Yeah! Let's do it!

Yeah! Let's do it! I'm going to Kasumi'ga'ura to get me a plane.

Come with me if you want!

I'm going to Kisarazu. Who'll come with me?!

Who'll go get ammo from the depot in Yokosuka?

Let's go!

Boss...

How bad is the wound? Sir...

He slit his stomach in a straight line, then stabbed his own throat.

When?

I heard the groans at dawn, then saw what had happened.

"Uncle..."

It's me, Kodama.

Hey...

I kept my promise to my men.

I know. I know it well!

Uncle, I know how you feel.

I know it very well.

Do not act as my second.

Tell the military doctor there to go downstairs.

I want... I want to suffer as long as possible before I die.

His heart is unusually strong.

I believe it will take several more hours.

I've put you through much hardship.

Thank you for being there for me, all this time.

Uncle...

I'm disappointed in you!

I believed that you'd always be in good health!

I was looking forward to fighting MacArthur when they land, together, with you!

I've kept machine guns and grenades ready!

Now... my dream is gone.

I'm going to join you.

Moron!

You won't be worth shit if you're dead.

I called you here because I've got things for you to do.

Mr. Kodama... Mr. Kodama...

Go to Atsugi and get Kosono under control.

Tell him to stop his rash and blind acts...

...tell him I said so.

Also...

...the prisoners of war... those that have survived...

...they can come back to Japan some day.

But those who turned to bones on foreign soil... can't come back...

...so think about what you can do for them.

His Majesty the Emperor will give it careful consideration, I'm sure.

We'll entrust it to His Majesty's noble heart, and the hearts of the Japanese people.

I will bear witness to it.

This car always gets a flat. Hurry! Yes sir.

First:

Soldier's primary duty is to be completely loyal.

Those who are born in our nation...

...must have hearts that are willing to sacrifice themselves.

Indeed, a strong and loyal heart... Kozono! Listen carefully!

...Is the true measure of a soldier. Kozono! Listen carefully!

...Is the true measure of a soldier. I am Teraoka of the Third Air Fleet.

The man you're waiting for, Vice Director Onishi...

...has cut his belly and died.

...Has cut his belly and died. ...honing his skills.

Surely you must know why Onishi chose the path of suicide.

Onishi choked back his tears and gave up his dream of continuing the war.

He chose death, hoping that his death would end your rebellion.

Can't you honor his last wish?

All the other soldiers that rose up have now ended their rebellion.

You can protest all you want, but you can't reverse the tide all by yourself.

Commander... Commander!

Everyone here has decided to accept Vice Admiral Teraoka's position.

I am giving the command to stand down on my own responsibility.

Kozono. You've been relieved of duty as a Commander since the 16th.

The young men that are following your orders will be tried for treason if they continue.

Treason? You're right about that!

I shall purge the traitors who defile God's land!

Vice Director Onishi, where are you?

Calm down!

I, Kozono, will rescue you!

Calm down!

Vice Director Onishi!

Calm down!

Calm down, damn you!

Call the military doctor.

Call the military doctor. Yes sir.

Bring a sedative. Yes sir.

Release the Commander! Release him, or we won't let you out!

Fools!

If you're going to disobey orders, cut my head off first.

Nakai.

Nakai. Executive Officer!

Executive Officer. The guys in the gun room are trying to escape by plane!

What?!

Move.

Kaida, wait! Listen to me! Calm down!

Talk is futile.

Talk is futile. Calm down!

Hurry!

Kaida! Don't go! That's an order! Don't die! Don't die!

Kaida, calm down! Kaida!

Missus...

Kaida!

He's at the airfield. Hurry!

Missus...

Captain Arai... Kurashima...

Long live the Emperor...

Ten Thousand Years!

The rebel officers that flew to Atsugi were captured and court-matialed.

Each was given several years of prison time.

Captain Kozono was admitted to Nobi Navy Hospital in Fujisawa...

...and the uprising at Atsugi Air Corps was finally quelled.

On this day, the vanguard of the US occupation forces landed in Atsugi.

Nurse...

Nurse.

Will you please bring me a drink of water?

Here you go.

Somebody help! Emergency!

This way... Hey, this way!

Right, this way!

Gentlemen!

He's up there!

We surrendered... Because the cowardly cabinet ministers...

...fearing for their lives...

...tricked His Majesty the Emperor... And made him give up!

Get down from there! Get down!

Gentlemen!

Now is the time for us to renew the nation!

The surrender must be a sign to us...

...that we must all unite, purge the corrupt politicians...

...and prosecute the war as private citizens!

Your Majesty the Emperor... Please hear my words.

You have erred.

The war was originally declared by your own words.

Why now have you surrendered?

What the hell! Bastard!

Bastards!

You bastards! Bastards!

Who do you think that man is?! He's been fighting for all of you!

He's Captain Kozono of the Atsugi Air Corps! Who are you to throw stones at him?!

Your Majesty the Emperor!

You are...

...you are to be pitied!

You do not realize your own error!

You are to be pitied!

The Vice Director's mansion, where Vice Admiral Onishi committed suicide...

...still stands at Nanpeidai, near Shibuya Station in Tokyo.

Though 29 years ago, one heartbroken soldier took his own life, here in this room...

...today, that event has been totally forgotten.

"To the heroic souls of the special attack forces I say, you have fought well.

"You have my deep gratitude.

"You exploded into glory as ammunition of flesh, believing in final victory.

"However, in the end, your faith did not result in victory.

"I will atone to the heroic souls of my men, and to their bereaved families, by my own death.

"Next, as I die, I say to all young men that rash acts only give advantage to the enemy.

"Follow imperial instructions, and behave with prudent perseverance. Such is my wish.

"Endure, and do not forget your dignity as Japanese people.

"All sons are national treasures.

"Let them victoriously maintain the spirit of special attacks, even in times of peace.

"Endeavor to do your utmost to promote the well-being of the Japanese people...

"...and work for peace and harmony with all of humanity."