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Cast
Koji Yakusho
as General Korechika Anami
Masahiro Motoki
as Emperor Showa
Tori Matsuzaka
as Major Kenji Hatanaka
Shinichi Tsutsumi
as Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu
Tsutomu Yamazaki
as Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki
Kenichi Yajima
as Naidaijin Kōichi Kido
Ikuji Nakamura
as Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai
Kazuhiro Yamaji
as Tōji Yasui
Akaji Maro
as Admiral Hisanori Fujita
Yuki Ikenobō
as Empress Kōjun
Movie Info & Details
Release Year2015
Runtime2h 16m
LanguageJapanese
CertificationNR
GenresHistory, War, Drama
Votes18
DirectorMasato Harada
WritersMasato Harada
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.7 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsThe Emperor in August
About The Emperor in August
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, The Emperor in August leans on a strong ensemble — Koji Yakusho, Masahiro Motoki, Tori Matsuzaka — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about history titles of 2015.
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