A TOEI PICTURE
YUBARI, HOKKAIDO, NORTH JAPAN
TOKYO
Hello. Okita speaking.
Koga?
How did it go?
It went well. I'm taking a 10:40 flight.
I see.
Everything is done, then.
Hello? Anything wrong?
- Fujio's been arrested. - Has he? When?
Yesterday morning.
He got drunk and started a fight.
The police took him,
then found he was wanted for something he'd done in Hakata.
Bastard.
But he doesn't know much.
If he wants his share, he won't talk.
I don't think he'll talk.
At least today, and that's all we need.
So let's go ahead with our plan. It's got to be today.
Yeah.
I don't want to go back now.
- Let's do it. - Yes. We'll talk later.
Get out of the way!
Look at them.
Mum, hurry up!
Cheers!
Get off. You're in no condition to travel.
No. If you're worried, why don't you come with me?
You know I can't. I have to work.
Work? Who was the one fooling around with girls?
- I'm going back to my parents'. - Kazuko...
Here it is.
I'll be in the conductor's booth if you need me.
Thank you for everything.
Yes?
- Mr. Tashiro, I'm coming with you. - Thank you.
The suspect we're taking to Hakata is in coach 12.
One of the detectives had appendicitis, so I'm here.
SLOW- BACK TO DEPOT
EXPRESS
Command Centre.
Hikari 109, ready for departure.
Roger. Hikari 109, leave on schedule.
Hikari 109, leave on schedule.
The bullet train system of 1.100km between Tokyo and Hakata
is run by this Command Centre.
The position of each train is shown on the panel.
All details, speed and shunting points
are governed by a device
which is called CTC, Centralized Train Control.
Each train is also computerized.
If it exceeds a prescribed speed,
it's automatically slowed down
by the ATC, Automatic Train Control.
If there's any obstacle within 3km ahead of the moving train,
the ATC detects it and stops the train immediately.
It's me.
I saw Fujio aboard the 109, being guarded.
I see.
How did your work go?
I did as you told me.
But what about Fujio?
Forget him.
Do everything as planned.
Move onto the next task. OK?
Who is it?
Fujio!
You followed me.
Mr. Koga, you're onto something very interesting.
Let me join you.
He sold me the dynamite.
We've paid you already.
Give me a break.
You're up to something very big.
- Hiroshi, no! - Go on, young man.
I've been to jail several times.
Stop it!
You are on the wanted list.
You don't want to get into trouble.
I don't care.
I can mess up your wonderful plan... if I want to.
CHITOSE AIRPORT, HOKKAIDO
Smile!
You need a permit to film in here.
We'll finish in a minute.
- You're disturbing other passengers. - We're done. OK!
Sorry, but I didn't know about the permit.
I'm shooting a documentary, 24 Hours of Stars...
- It's against regulations. - Sorry.
- Here you go. - Oh, thank you.
Hold on, please.
I'll put you through.
DIRECTOR OF RAILWAY SECURITY YOSHINORI MIYASHITA
Hello?
Hold on.
Put it through.
This is Security.
A bomb on the Hikari 109?
THE BULLET TRAIN
Starring
Ken Takakura
Shinichi Chiba
Kei Yamamoto Eiji Go
Akira Oda Raita Ryu
Masayo Utsunomiya Yumiko Fujita
Yumi Takigawa Etsuko Shihomi
Ken Utsui
Directed by Junya Sato
Another 'bomb' call?
We'll stop the train at Odawara and search.
No, we can't stop the train.
Why not?
Listen to this.
We've put a bomb on the Hikari 109.
The bomb will be activated at 80km/hour.
It's safe while the train stays at over 80km/hour.
But it'll explode once it slows down to 80.
It can't be true...
I know it's hard to believe.
I've put the same bomb on the goods train 5790.
Goods train 5790?
It's left Yubari for Oiwake.
It won't stop till Momijiyama.
Go ahead, have it slow down to 15km, anywhere.
The bomb will explode, for sure.
Hello?
We couldn't trace the call.
What about the goods train 5790... Did the bomb go off?
Not yet.
It's still running near Shimizusawa.
What do they want? Money?
I don't know.
He didn't say anything.
What shall we do?
If what he's told us is true...
The Hikari 109
will never be able to stop.
Hello, this is the Hikari 109.
Aoki, please listen carefully.
What is it?
We had a call saying that a bomb was planted on your train.
Again?
Where shall I stop the train?
No, don't stop. Just search the train.
Why is that? We can't conduct a thorough search.
It's better to stop as usual...
- We can't stop the train. - What?
If you do, the bomb might go off.
He claims that the bomb will go off if you slow down to 80km/h.
That's crazy.
Don't go below 100 km/h.
But if...
What about the ATC?
It will automatically stop us.
Calm down, Aoki.
We're doing all we can.
Please start looking for the bomb.
Yes, sir.
But, Commander...
Do you think there is such a sophisticated bomb?
Isn't it a malicious call?
We don't know yet.
It seems a similar bomb has been planted
on the goods train 5790 in Hokkaido.
We're checking on it now.
Oh, look at this.
We are currently conducting a security check.
If you see any suspicious packages, please let us know.
Conductor, is anything wrong?
No, this is routine.
Jump, now.
But the instructions say...
We are heading for an incline. It may slow down there.
Jump, now! Quick!
Jump!
Hurry!
Jump!
Aoki, the goods train 5790 has been blown up.
It's real.
So, it's real.
Calm down. Did you find anything?
No, nothing.
Please have them look again.
Don't go faster than 120km/h.
That'll delay the arrival at Hakata
by at least three hours.
But... what happens when we arrive at Hakata?
I'm sure we'll hear from the bomber before that.
The police have put a special team on this case.
Listen, Aoki.
We have to save the lives of 1,500 passengers.
Hang on.
The Hikari 109 has reduced its speed to 120km/h.
Still, it will have to reach Hakata in about 10 hours.
By that time, we must either catch the criminal,
or eliminate the bomb.
POLICE CHIEF INSPECTOR
First, we'll search
in Hokkaido, where they put a bomb on the goods train.
POLICE TEAM LEADER
We'll guard all airports,
and the ports of Hokkaido,
and question anyone suspicious.
These are the two points...
...on which we've already alerted Hokkaido Police.
I also want the Metropolitan Police HQ
to dispatch a bomb expert to the explosion site.
We need to round up radicals
and search Tokyo Station premises.
The Hikari 109 pulled into the platform at 9:33
and left at 9:48.
The bomb must have been planted within that 15 minutes.
Look for witnesses who were there at that time.
We need help from National Railway Security.
Cancel all the trains after the 109.
Shunt the Kodama 223 ahead of the 109 at Shizuoka.
Also the Kodama 219 at Toyohashi.
The Hikari 23 at Nagoya.
Is the train in trouble?
No.
But we passed Mishima 15 minutes later than scheduled.
We have a train ahead of us.
What is it? You're searching again?
This is a routine security measure.
Routine?
Another bomb threat, isn't it?
Did you get a call?
Well... It must be a mischievous joke.
Could be real.
Why don't you stop the train and check, as you usually do?
That's right. Why don't you stop?
The train schedule comes before our lives?
What is going on?
Commander. It's for you, from the 109.
Kuramochi speaking.
Kikuchi from Security. The passengers are getting restless.
They want the train stopped. It's better to let them know.
Unless we give them the solution,
it will make the situation worse.
Please wait a little longer.
But...
Oh, no! The Hikari 157 is in trouble.
Kikuchi, I have to go now.
- Check the cause. - Yes.
Aoki, slow down to 100km. The train ahead of you is in trouble.
- Can you fix it? - We'll soon find out.
It's a BR system failure. It'll take a while to recover.
We'll switch the 109 to the eastbound 'up' track.
The Hikari 20 is coming up on the track.
Now, the 109 is 9km east of Hamamatsu Station.
It means we have five minutes and 30 seconds.
The eastbound Hikari 20 will pass the station in six minutes.
Let's try.
Stop all the trains after the Hikari 20.
Alert the switch point at Hamamatsu.
Aoki, we'll switch you to the 'up' track
at Hamamatsu Station.
OK.
But...
What is it?
The Hikari 20 is 12km west of Hamamatsu.
- What? - Slow down to 90km/h.
Any extra seconds are crucial.
Are you trying to kill us all?
It'll be a head-on collision.
- Calm down. - The bomb could explode at 90km/h.
Slow down to 90.
The junction speed limit is 70km/h.
- We'll derail at 90. - Shut up
We have no time to argue. Switch the selector to slow.
Hurry up.
EXPRESS
SLOW- BACK TO DEPOT
It's switched.
- And the speed? - Ninety.
In exactly one minute, go up to 120.
Are you mad? Going into the junction at 120...
Be quiet! You have to deactivate the ATC to move onto the 'up' track.
But that will set off the emergency brake.
Cut the ATC just before the junction, and let your train glide on.
Then release the brake again.
That's the only way. Understand?
Roger.
Up to 120... now.
Up to 120.
- Cut the lock off. - Yes, sir.
'Up' train 20 is passing Hamamatsu.
'Down' train 109 is approaching.
Stand by to deactivate the ATC - ten... nine... eight...
Seven... six... five...
Four... three... two... one...
Cut!
The Hikari 20 passed the junction!
Change the point.
Oh, no, I can't release the emergency brake.
Don't panic. Try again.
He did it!
Cheers!
That was good. One problem gone.
Aoki, any problems?
No, sir.
I thought I'd had it when it went down to 84km/h.
But we made it.
Well done.
Who ever thought
that the fail-safe ATC device would almost kill us?
Yes. Commander...
Sorry for being mad at you earlier.
That's OK. Go to the 'down' track at Toyohashi.
Yes, sir.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BULLET TRAIN
We have decided to stop all the bullet trains.
What time will the Hikari 109 reach Hakata?
Originally it was to be there at 17:36.
But in order to earn extra time,
it's running at a speed of less than 120km/h.
So the arrival will be at about 21:00.
That means your time limit is nine hours.
Can the police solve the problem by then?
We're doing everything that we can.
- I'm asking your opinion. - What if you can't?
What are you going to do?
Will it explode with 1,500 people on board?
We're doing everything to prevent it.
What is your strategy?
The National Railway people are doing their best as well.
- That's not what we're asking! - I'm asking your opinion.
- Give us an answer. - What does the bomber want?
He hasn't told us yet.
INCOMING CALLS ONLY
Wait. Line Four.
They called. Line Four. Trace the call.
It's the bomber.
OK, put him on.
This is the bullet train HQ.
Tell me what you want.
$5 million?
Yes. Five million US dollars.
In $100 bills.
That's 1,5 billion yen.
National Railway doesn't have that much money.
National Railway doesn't.
The government does.
One bullet train costs just as much.
On top of that, the lives of the 1,500 passengers aboard.
It's a bargain.
I must talk to the government first.
When and where do you want the money?
Put it in an aluminum case and wait.
I'll call you again in 70 minutes.
Wait, if we wait another 70 minutes
the Hikari 109 won't be able to stop at Nagoya.
Nor at Kyoto or Osaka.
We'll pay the money, I promise, so let's settle now.
Please tell me where the bomb is.
I'd hate to have this call traced.
Speak to you in 70 minutes.
No! He hung up.
What happened?
It was from somewhere in the Shinjuku area. That's all we could get.
PRIME MINISTER'S RESIDENCE
SECRETARY GENERAL
Our priority is
to arrest the criminal.
PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL RAILWAY
But we need to pretend
that we'll pay.
Of course, I know that. Alright, then.
The Prime Minister has agreed.
But $5 million in $100 bills? At such short notice?
Get me the Ministry of Finance.
Please. It's for 1,500 lives.
The government will have the money ready.
The man seems to be trying to get out of Japan with the money.
Check all the air ticket offices and travel agencies.
Particularly the departure lists for all this week.
You're in charge, Goto.
A week's reservations involve around 50,000 people.
Count out women and men over 50.
Next...
The goods train bomber suspect!
From fingerprints on a cigarette pack found in the station...
Masaru Koga, born in 1948.
Ex-student of Jonan University.
Ex-Deputy Secretary, Student's Struggle League.
Arrested in 1971 for obstructing justice at Sanrizuka.
Left the university in 1974.
Has ceased radical activities since then.
As of 1974, his address is
5-10-6 Higashi Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
Room 202, Akane Apartments.
Search the apartment.
Shall we arrest him, if he's there?
Yes, arrest him.
- Yes, sir. Come, Ueno. - Wait.
What if he refuses to talk, even after we arrest him?
We won't know till we get him.
He's a radical activist with a prison record.
It will be hard to make him talk.
What will become of the Hikari 109?
It will reach Hakata in eight hours.
It must stop and the bomb will go off.
The criminal finally asked for money.
Give him the money, get rid of the bomb and then arrest him.
Suppose he gets the money, will he tell us what to do with the bomb?
Hold on, Shirota.
Mr. Miyashita, you have a point. We won't arrest him, not now.
Thank you.
Keep Koga under surveillance.
We have a bomb, and it will explode if the train stops.
If we tell that to the passengers, they'll panic.
The criminal wants money.
It'll be paid, and it will all be fine within an hour.
People will understand.
What if it isn't over in an hour? It'll make the situation worse.
We can't tell them, not now.
This is the place.
AKANE APARTMENTS
Excuse me?
Mr. Koga? Anyone here?
What is it?
Is Mr. Koga out?
Mr. Koga? But it's Mr. Sakurai who lives there.
Sakurai?
Mr. Koga moved two years ago.
- Where to? - He didn't say anything.
Is this the man?
ARRIVALS GATE
Attention, passengers of JAL Flight 504.
Due to an accident, all bullet trains are suspended.
We do not know when service will resume.
All bullet trains are suspended...
Your attention please, we are approaching Nagoya.
Thank you.
However, due to an accident, we won't stop at Nagoya.
What?
As soon as it's straightened out,
passengers for Nagoya will be escorted back.
We apologize for causing you this inconvenience, I repeat...
Hey, we aren't stopping at Nagoya?
Won't we hit the train ahead of us?
This is crazy. Where's the conductor?
What kind of an accident?
What is going on?
We'll soon find out.
Why isn't the train stopping? You won't, or you can't?
- We can't. - Why not?
Is it the brakes?
We're checking.
Will you stop at Kyoto?
I'm not sure yet... but probably not.
I have a stage engagement at 14:00.
Please stop it, please.
Won't it hit the train ahead of us?
The system is collision-proof.
That means you can stop the train.
Stop at Nagoya. I have important business there.
Where's the emergency brake? Let's use it.
- Not that one. - Which one then?
Please, calm down.
Everything will be alright.
It's Nagoya!
Oh, please!
I'm getting off! I'm going home!
Let me off, please!
Let me go! Stop the train!
You!
Calm down.
Everything will be alright.
She's gone into labor!
Excuse me, I'm in a hurry.
We're all in a hurry. Join the queue!
I'm from Yotsubishi Trading. I have an urgent appointment.
Can big companies buy all the telephone lines too?
Please let me call.
Go away.
So, I am...
Be quiet, please!
Your attention please.
An unidentified blackmailer...
...has put a bomb on the train.
The bomb will explode when the train slows down to 80km/h.
Is that true?
That's why we can't stop.
As our priority is to save the passengers,
the government has the money ready as requested.
We'll soon know how to disconnect the bomb.
The money will be delivered within an hour.
Calm down, you're going to be a mother.
Please trust us and stay calm.
You'll be alright.
We aren't stopping at Kyoto.
- Where are you going? - To shoot the scoop photos.
Documentary of Horror Train. This is a real chance.
Attention, please.
If there's a doctor aboard, please come to coach 12.
We have an emergency case.
I'm Dr. Akiyama.
Please. She's in labor.
Where's your first-aid kit?
Give me a stethoscope.
Get some hot water.
You'll be alright.
You go there now... OK.
A bomb report from Hokkaido.
It consisted of two sticks of dynamite.
That's funny. Radicals rarely use dynamite.
And?
The detonator was a magnetic tachometer and electric fuse.
A magnetic tachometer?
Same as a car speedometer.
The revolution of the wheel drives the dynamo and the needle,
which, at a certain speed, frees the lock.
When it slows down again,
the fuse is set to detonate.
Who manufactures the device?
Taiyo Industries.
Tsutsumi is down there now.
Was the contraption connected to the goods train wheel?
Yes.
It was attached to the rear wheel frame of the locomotive.
Then we can't remove it from the inside.
Why not?
If it was attached to our Hikari in the same way,
you could never remove it from the inside.
You mean, we can't avoid the explosion even if we pay?
How about taking pictures of the train wheel
with fast shutter cameras?
That might tell us where the bomb is.
Yes, please.
He'll be calling us at any moment.
Headquarters.
Hold a moment.
Line Six.
Line Six. Trace the call.
Put him through.
Hello. This is Headquarters.
Is the money ready?
It's right here.
Get in the helicopter with the money.
Only one man and a pilot.
Go straight north.
I'll tell you where to land.
Alright. We'll get the helicopter off in 10 minutes.
Can you really get rid of the bomb?
I'm no murderer.
I'll tell you that as soon as I get the money.
There's a woman having a difficult labor aboard the train.
She's in danger and needs to be hospitalized.
I promise you'll get the money. Tell us now what to do with the bomb.
Then get me the money fast.
You can disconnect the bomb in no time.
Straight north, he said.
It'll be either the Saitama, Tochigi or Gunma areas.
Alert the local police forces.
Let it land at the Yorii High School.
Land at the Yorii High School ground.
Get the Saitama Police to set up an emergency look out.
Saitama Police. Urgent.
- Are you the police? - Yes.
We had a call. Go to Nogami Station, baggage locker 45.
This is number 45.
- Do you know who put this in? - It was my day off, two days ago.
"Take this transceiver and go down the Arakawa River by boat".
- I'm police. - Hello.
- Let's go. - OK.
He's on the boat. Follow him.
You'll be alright.
Breathe in.
Calm down...
He's coming.
Stop the boat there.
Stop the boat, please.
They're stopping.
Tie the rope to the trunk.
A rope's been thrown down the cliff off Iwate village.
To pick up the money.
Ready.
Look, Mr. Sasaki.
The university judo team.
The bullet train bomber is there! Catch him!
He's on the cliff!
He's the one who put a bomb on the bullet train! Get him!
That's the one.
Shit.
Over there!
Faster! Go faster!
Mr. Senda!
Calling all cars.
A Honda 125. Blue.
Arrest the guy.
BLOOD BANK
You shouldn't have sold blood in your condition.
That was how I met Hiroshi.
Hey, come with me.
He came from Okinawa for a job, but the company in Tokyo went bankrupt.
Then he worked at Pachinko parlors, bars, a petrol station, cleaning...
None of them lasted.
I took him to my place.
Boss!
But my factory was closed down six months later.
My wife had left me.
Your redundancy pay.
But Hiroshi didn't leave me.
He refused to go.
But he followed me.
What? He's dead?
What is he like?
Around 20? Check his driver's license.
He doesn't have one?
Get his fingerprints.
Anything on the bomb?
No?
I understand.
With him dead...
...what will become of the Hikari 109?
He was a man aged about 20.
But the voice on the phone was a middle-aged man.
He will call us, surely.
- If he doesn't? - He will.
He wants money.
He'll contact us until he gets it.
Hiroshi died?
In front of my eyes.
I couldn't do anything.
He had no papers with him.
The police will take a while to identify him.
How's your end?
Cops were covering the airport.
I don't know if it was for me.
I see.
Come over here. We have some planning to do.
Alright.
I'll be there in 30 minutes. See you then.
SHIZUNAI, HOKKAIDO
Yes, it's Masaru. Has he done something?
We're just seeking some information from your brother.
About his radical activities?
No...
Do you know his address in Tokyo?
I haven't heard from him for three years.
Any letters from his friends? Or his address book?
Hey, there was a letter for Masaru, wasn't there?
You mean, the bill?
- Take that out. - OK.
This bill, to Masaru?
It was delivered about six months ago.
From a bar... for about 100,000 yen.
- Here you are. - Excuse me.
Snack bar, 'Family'.
In Nishi-Ikebukuro. Yoko Taguchi.
Conductor...
Will we stop at Osaka?
We haven't heard anything yet.
But you must stop. I have an important appointment.
I need to be there by three o'clock. Please.
It is impossible.
- If you don't stop, I'll jump off. - Don't be a fool.
It's a huge international deal - 300 billion yen.
It'll be a national disaster if I miss it.
Calm down.
It hurts...
What are you doing?
Aren't you a man? Hold her tight.
You'll be OK. Calm down.
No. If you press that, the train will stop.
I'm getting off. It must be a bomb hoax!
- What are you... - Stop the train.
Yes, let's stop the train.
Don't be a fool. We'll be dead, you madman.
Mad? What do you...
Don't panic! Calm down!
This would make a good film.
Miss Yoko Taguchi?
Yoko? This place opens at five. She's still at home.
- Where does she live? - Shimura.
Where in Shimura? Do you have her address?
Wait a minute.
The bullet train bomb suspect died while escaping.
He's dead?
However, he's believed to have accomplices.
The authorities are doing everything
to save the lives of the 1,500 passengers...
The bomber is dead.
Dead?
We'll never know where the bomb is.
What is going to happen?
Oh, no! The bomber is dead!
He's dead!
"Doing everything" doesn't explain anything.
How the investigation is going, if the bomber is really dead,
How do you plan to save us all...
Let me hear from the authorities.
Call the Head of National Railway.
That's a reasonable request from all the horrified passengers.
That's right. The bomb could go off at any minute.
Listen carefully, Kikuchi.
It's true, one of the suspects died.
We'll soon know who he was.
We already know who the Hokkaido bomber is.
We're doing our best to arrest him.
We have six hours and 30 minutes.
We'll make it.
Tell that to the passengers.
Make them stay calm.
Yes, sir.
It's Shimura.
This crossing is...
Mr. Osada...
Turn left.
Headquarters... We've found Koga.
What? Koga?
- What shall we do? - Arrest him.
Arrest him. Don't let him go.
Roger.