[Screenplay by Max MANNIX, Kiyoshi KUROSAWA, Sachiko TANAKA]
There's a storm brewing.
[Teruyuki KAGAWA]
Hey, take this.
[Kyoko KOIZUMI]
Who's in charge of the body-fat scale?
It's Shimada-san, isn't it?
[Yu KOYANAGI, Kai INOWAKI]
We're here from Dalian, China. My name is Shao Yen.
Pleased to meet you.
Your Japanese is good.
We've been studying night and day.
As soon as the telephone lines to Dalian are installed,
you can hire three locals like her
for what you pay one Japanese employee here.
I understand. That sounds like an excellent plan.
Excuse me, sir.
[Haruka IGAWA Kanji TSUDA]
We're pushing ahead with relocating
our admin department in Dalian.
I see.
I'm aware of the tremendous job you've done as director of admin.
[Koji YAKUSHO]
So, Sasaki-san...
...what will you do after you leave administration?
[Directed by Kiyoshi KUROSAWA]
What skills do you have?
I want you to consider
how best you can contribute to Tanita Corporation's development?
It's entirely up to you, Sasaki-san.
Either you contribute 100% of your ability to us here,
or the company will have to let you go.
Boss, it's about that air-conditioning estimate...
- Oh, that. - Yes.
I think we should accept the bid from Uchida Systems.
What do you think?
Can I have that?
- What? - That.
Yes.
Did you visit the 'Hello Work' agency?
Nah...
You should call in to 'Hello Work' before you come here.
Oh, right.
Go before your luck runs out.
Otherwise, you'll be stuck here for life, just like me.
RECEPTION IS NOW CLOSED FOR TODAY
Hey.
Your bag's open.
You sure carry a lot around.
It's too heavy.
I'm home.
It's you!
When did you get home?
Just now.
Don't scare me like that.
You finished early today?
What are you doing?
I was just making sure the doors were locked.
I see...
That's all.
Anything wrong with that?
You could use the front door, though.
You're right.
- Thanks for the food. - Sure.
- I'm off! - See you later.
Will you be home early again today?
- No, I've got a busy day ahead of me. - Okay.
- Where's Takashi? - Not back yet.
He drives me spare.
- See you later. - Bye.
- Later. - Aye.
- Hiya. - Welcome back.
- Hungry? - No, thanks.
I'm off to bed, so please don't vacuum.
So, moving on to the topic of honorific verbs.
Honorifics are based on the use of three different types of speech
in order to show respect to the other person.
We want you to be able to use respectful language to your elders,
so let's investigate the meaning of each...
Sasaki! What's that?
Show me.
Pathetic.
I've nothing but contempt for anyone who sneaks this stuff into my classes.
- Stand up. - But...
You've no right to be in my class.
- Stand at the back. - But it's not mine.
- Is that your excuse? - It's true. I was just passing it on.
I said stand at the back! Hurry up!
- Sir? - What now?
I saw you reading a porn manga on the train the other day.
I was sitting in front of you.
You were trying hard to hide it,
but I could see the cover, Eroto Mania Weekly.
- Why are you saying this? - Because it's true.
Nice one!
- This is hardly the place. - Yeah, I guess not.
It's unfair, isn't it?
Quiet!
Back to the lesson.
So, honorific language...
Let's conjugate standard verb forms into honorifics.
Okay? Start with the verb "to see".
- Sasaki, you were brilliant! - He looked so scared. What a laugh!
- Let's call him Mr Eroto. - Excellent.
Mr Eroto! Mr Eroto!
What is it?
I'm sorry about before.
I went too far.
I didn't think the other kids would react like that.
- You came to say that? - Yes.
All this way?
Let's forget it.
You graduate in less than a year. It won't affect how we get along.
But that manga really isn't mine.
That's why I didn't think it was fair that I was the only one made to stand.
Sasaki, let's me and you stop poking sticks in each other's wounds.
You can ignore me and I'll ignore you. All right?
Stop there.
Let's have more emphasis between crescendo and diminuendo.
again, from here.
Good, good. And continue.
And more forceful here.
What was that other piece in C Major that you learned to play so well?
Let's see...
We're sorry to keep you waiting.
Ticket holder 86, please proceed to window number one?
Your hours are midnight to 9:00 in the morning.
It's security guard work, but they've never had a single robbery.
So you don't have to worry.
Sasaki-san, how about administrative work?
- I'm much more suited to that. - Well, then...
- Maybe this is more suitable for you. - Yes, please.
Manager at a Happy Mart store.
Monday to Friday.
7:00am to 3:00pm, 850 yen an hour.
As I wrote it in the form you gave me,
I used to be Administrative Director at Tanita.
There's no easy way to say this,
but it'll be 100% impossible for you to match your former position.
- Sorry to keep you waiting... - There you go.
Here's this month's salary.
I think it's time we bought a new one.
I guess it can wait till bonus time.
Where's Takashi?
He left this afternoon for one of his classes.
I see.
I hope he's not getting into trouble.
Yeah, right...
Your exams are coming up soon, too.
Do your best.
I think I'd like to play piano.
I want to play piano. It's okay, right?
No way.
Why not?
It's just a whim.
Maybe you should learn to play in music class at school.
No means no.
- You're back. - Hiya.
- I saved some food for you. - Okay, I'll have some.
Look.
Show me.
You got your driver's licence.
You'll never use it, though.
It's just a form of identification.
A very expensive form of identification.
- Use your insurance card. - I prefer this.
It's rice porridge today.
Hello.
- It's cold today, isn't it? - It certainly is.
Please wait, it won't be long.
- Hello. - Thanks for your patience.
- Here you are. - Thanks for your patience.
Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you are.
Hey, Kurosu?
I thought it was you, Sasaki.
Long time no see.
- You haven't changed since school. - Neither have you.
Sorry.
Hello?
Fine. I'm with a client right now.
I'll talk to the Senior VP about that myself.
And don't worry about the bid on the Municipal Hall.
Sure, sure, thanks.
- You dropped this. - Oh, thanks.
You seem busy.
- You're in construction? - Something like that.
- And what about you? - Healthcare equipment.
Oh, sounds great.
Hey, what's that?
I think they hand out food.
You'd be surprised how many guys line up.
Maybe I'll try some.
It's a rare chance to taste it.
Are you by any chance unemployed, Kurosu?
You can tell?
Right...
You are, too, right?
I got down-sized last week.
I got down-sized three months ago.
What about that last phone call?
It's just for show.
I do it to calm my nerves.
- I know it's stupid but... - No, it was brilliant.
Aren't you going to eat that?
- I've already eaten. - I see...
Tastes bad, though, right?
Yeah... it's bad.
They let you stay here as long as you want.
Sorry.
I set my phone to ring five times an hour.
I didn't know you could do that.
Yeah. It's not a very well-known feature so it fools most people.
Oh, I see.
Have you told your wife yet?
No.
- Still give her house-keeping money? - Yeah.
I see. That means you'll last for a while.
What about your severance pay? Have they paid it all?
Not yet, no.
Set up a separate bank account for it.
That way, any irregular deposits won't stand out.
- Unemployment insurance? - I'm just applying for it now.
Just make sure you submit all the paperwork on time.
One day late and they'll disqualify you.
You're really something else!
MR EROTO
Now Kobayashi's totally lost all authority over us.
Yeah.
It's just like a revolution. Revolution!
What's wrong? You're the one who started it all.
Kenji?
Welcome home.
Kenji!
I'm making donuts. Why don't you come down?
I'm fine!
Don't you want to eat donuts?
No, thanks!
Thanks for the food.
Thanks.
Hey, Kenji.
Here, your monthly lunch money. Put it in your satchel.
It's due tomorrow, right?
Do you want a donut?
Let's look at a breakdown of China's current energy sources.
Well, China is in fact the largest producer of coal in the world...
Do you not want a donut?
...in 1990, they depended on coal for 76% of their energy,
and on oil for 17%.
But by 2002, their coal dependency was reduced to 65%,
and their oil dependency rose to 24%...
You were having a nightmare.
KANEKO PIANO SCHOOL
This is for a month of lessons.
Thank you.
Did you come alone?
They said, as I'm in Year 7 now, I can come by myself.
Okay, we'll start next week.
Okay.
Do you have a piano at home?
Yes, a small one.
Come over here.
Can you play anything?
Have a try.
Keep going.
I'm home.
Welcome back.
Oh, you're home, Takashi. That's rare.
- I don't have work today. - I see.
- Do you want to shower first? - No, I'll eat now.
Kenji, it's dinner time! Come on!
Takashi, your book.
I think I'll have a beer. I'll get it.
Tastes good.
Let's eat.
It's no good.
I'm starting to get home earlier these days.
Yeah?
Hey... do you think she knows?
- Knows what? - Has my wife figured it out?
Just because you get home a little early? No way.
She stares at me with eyes full of mistrust.
I'm telling you, it's not good.
I have to find a way to make her trust me.
Sasaki, let me treat you to dinner.
- Why, all of a sudden? - Please, come to my house.
Okay?
- It's me. - Welcome home.
Hello.
This is my daughter, Mika.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- Are you at high school? - I'm in Year 9.
Really? You're so tall.
Hey, didn't you order sushi?
But you said a home-cooked meal was fine.
Oh, I guess I did.
It's a delicious meal.
Oh, no, a work-related call at this hour.
Do you put in overtime every day, too, Mr Sasaki?
Well, yes.
Is the company doing that well?
All of us employees are working hard.
My husband refuses to discuss it with me.
The company's doing fine. You've nothing to worry about.
Is that so?
Mr Sasaki...
Please look after my husband.
I will.
That was the managing director, calling about that estimate.
You're the one that wrote it up, right, Sasaki?
You need to be more diligent.
I covered for you this time as best I could, but watch it, okay?
I will.
- Please, use this. - Oh, thank you.
It's tough for you, too, isn't it?
I'm home.
Welcome home.
I just got back.
Haven't you eaten dinner?
I thought I'd make tempura for a change. You'll have some, won't you?
No, I've already eaten.
Oh...
My boss invited me out after our meeting.
I'm exhausted.
I'm off to bed.
I think I'll come up, too.
Pull me up.
Somebody, please pull me up.
Mr Ryuhei Sasaki, please.
- You're 46 years old? - Yes.
What can you do?
I'm willing to do anything.
"Anything" is too vague.
We want to know your specific skills.
Sorry?
We want you to show us what you excel at.
Right here?
Yes, right now.
You mean like singing karaoke?
What skills can you contribute to this company?
- That's what we want to see. - But right here, now?
Then how are we expected to judge your merits?
I've worked in administration so I'm confident of my interpersonal skills.
What else?
What else...?
Did you really do nothing to prepare, figuring you might just get lucky?
No.
All right, karaoke will have to do. Please sing for us.
Please, start singing.
What's wrong? You're good at karaoke, right?
Use that pen instead of a microphone and sing.
When you think about it,
we're like a slowly sinking ship.
The lifeboats are long gone...
...the water's up to our mouths.
We know it's hopeless,
but we're still looking for an exit.
But we don't have the courage to dive underwater, either.
Tell me, Kurosu, why is it? I'm prepared to accept anything.
But why aren't they prepared to accept us?
The lifeboats are gone.
They loaded them up with women, children and young people.
They're gone.
It folds up like this, making a perfect space for bicycles.
Your whole family could go camping.
It's really great. Get away with just the family.
That's exactly what this car is perfect for.
This model is all the rage now.
But most people find it more attractive as a second car than as the family car.
A very handy feature.
The roof disappears?
Please take one.
I can't get rid of any.
All gone.
When's that massive earthquake coming?
The one that'll turn everything upside down
and beat up all those arrogant bastards
and make me Prime Minister, so I can pass a No Helmet Law.
Yes, I understand.
I'll notify my lawyer.
Yes.
Goodbye, then.
I won't contact you, so please don't call me, either.
Yes. Goodbye.
Sorry about that.
Let's finish there for today.
Thank you.
Don't worry about me.
- But... - Are you're concerned?
I guess you are.
I've just got divorced.
Our marriage has been over for ages, so it doesn't really change anything.
He was a stranger once,
and now we're back to being strangers again.
You're not going to see him again?
No... never again.
That's what marriage is like.
I understand.
You do? What do you understand?
I know how you feel, Miss Kaneko.
Recently, I feel better being on my own, too.
When I'm with someone, I always end up saying the wrong thing.
And we both get hurt.
It's time for you to go home and study.
See you.
- Listen... - What?
I need to ask you a favour.
This is the Japanese version.
You're signing up for the American military?
Yeah. There's a new policy, you don't have to be an American.
You saw it on TV, right?
It's news to me.
Thing is...
- ... I've already passed the written test. - Wait a minute...
I only have to pass the physical and the psych exam and I'm in.
So, if you're in the military, you go to war, right?
Well, it depends.
But you should have consulted us before now.
Have you told your father?
I see.
The thing is, I'm still a minor,
so I need a parent to sign.
Here and here.
Sign it for me?
If you won't, it's okay.
There are organisations that'll sponsor me instead of my parents.
Don't ask some strange organisation to sign for you.
Do it, then.
Kurosu?
Mr Kurosu passed away. With his wife.
The day before yesterday. From gas poisoning.
Really?
A double suicide, but he forced her into it.
- Welcome home. - Hi.
Just listen to him, dear, and try not to get angry.
What is it?
I want you to sign these papers for me.
I absolutely forbid it.
Why?
I raised you so you could lead a happy life.
This couldn't be farther from that goal.
But in the military, you can work for peace.
That's just rationalising it.
But it's true. Why should I alone have a happy life?
It's better to make the whole world happy.
The whole world?
What nonsense! Who cares about that?
I'm not worried about the world, I'm worried about you.
That's why Japan's so hopeless.
What?
The American military protects Japan's peace.
So what?
Just think about it.
The reason I want to join the American military
is to protect you and mum and Kenji.
- That's how it works. - Don't be a smartarse.
In this house, I protect you. That's how it works.
You can't just do whatever you want.
You're the one that needs to think about it.
I don't want your protection.
Get out, then.
Get out.
Get out!
Forget it.
I'll ask someone else.
Takashi, wait!
Can't you figure out a better way to talk to him?
Takashi, if you want to leave home, fine,
but not for America.
Stay in Japan and do what you can here, understand?
What am I supposed to do?
You say you're protecting us, Dad...
...but what do you do every day?
You can't even answer me.