The Emperor in August

The Emperor in August

2015 · 136 min · ★ 6.7 · History, War, Drama

In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but a decision cannot be made. The U.S. drops atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. General Korechika Anami is torn over making the proper decision and the Emperor of Japan worries about his people. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki leads the cabinet meeting, while Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu can't do anything, but watch the meeting. At this time, Major Kenji Hatanaka and other young commissioned officers, who are against Japan surrendering, move to occupy the palace and a radio broadcasting station. The radio station is set to broadcast Emperor Hirohito reading out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.

Directed by Masato Harada · Written by Masato Harada

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Cast

Koji Yakusho General Korechika Anami
Masahiro Motoki Emperor Showa
Tori Matsuzaka Major Kenji Hatanaka
Shinichi Tsutsumi Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu
Tsutomu Yamazaki Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki
Kenichi Yajima Naidaijin Kōichi Kido
Ikuji Nakamura Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai
Kazuhiro Yamaji Tōji Yasui
Akaji Maro Admiral Hisanori Fujita
Yuki Ikenobō Empress Kōjun
Shû Nakajima General Hideki Tojo
Yasumasa Oba Lieutenant Colonel Masataka Ida

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