Elephant!
(National Airlines 35th Anniversary)
Hello, Mr. Kondo!
Thank you, sir.
What's he doing here?
Escorting the ambassador.
He's not wanted.
Ms Hida...
Ms Mitsui!
I'm sorry about the schedule change.
That's all right.
We all help each other.
My mother's sick...
Flight 123...
the jumbo that just arrived from Fukuoka, right?
I'll pay you back.
That won't be hard. I'm easy to please.
It's a help.
But I eat a lot.
Would you mind?
Here goes!
Thank you.
(This is the final boarding call
for National Airlines Flight 123 departing for Osaka.)
How's Shoichi?
Fine. Making a model.
Tell him I'm getting on the plane and I'm bringing him a present.
OK. I'll have dinner ready.
Here you go.
Now tell your mother you're on your way.
I'm on my way!
Off you go, Shinpei.
Don't worry.
Your uncle will be waiting at Itami.
Look after him.
I'll see Mom again soon, right?
Shinpei!
Member Aoyama!
You're not home visiting your district?
Thank you for coming.
Listen, Gyoten...
That young man I mentioned. He's a good, upright lad.
He'll devote himself to the airline.
I've already spoken to...
Mr. Gyoten!
Well! Mr. Sasamoto.
I'm off to Hokkaido next week. A rather dull story.
Tell me when you're going. I'll take care of you.
I've taken up golf, but dragging clubs all that way...
Leave them here. I'll arrange some for you.
How dare you come sleazing in here!
Who said you could come?
Get lost!
Then, sir
can you get someone to look after the Kenyan Ambassador?
What?!
Elephant dung!
How old?
Two, three hours.
Right!
(Tokyo Air Traffic Control)
(Destination Osaka 524 aboard)
There!
Can you get him?
National 123
do you have control of the aircraft?
Aircraft uncontrollable.
The mountain!
Right turn!
Full thrust!
Fit the oxygen masks down over your nose, please!
Masks down over your nose.
Fasten your seat belt tight, please!
Stay calm. Fasten your seat belt.
We're fine.
Ayumi, Yuya, Keiko.
Please get along, work hard
and help your mother.
I'm so very, very sorry.
I'm beyond help now.
I don't know what's wrong.
It's been five minutes. I never want to fly again.
Please, God! Help me!
Put on your oxygen mask, please!
I never dreamed yesterday would be our last meal together.
There was a bang in the cabin, and then smoke. What's going on?
Controls on full!
We're losing speed!
Bring the nose up! Bring it up!
It's OK.
We'll be fine. Stay calm! Hold your oxygen masks tight!
Don't worry. We'll be fine.
Fit your mask down over your nose!
Mommy!
As our national flag carrier, NAL has always dedicated itself
to comfort and safety in air travel.
Bring the nose up!
Flaps up full!
Thrust!
Nose up!
Thrust!
(THE UNBROKEN)
(Mt Osutaka, Gunma Prefecture)
Can anyone here move?
Is anyone alive?
Survivor! We've found a survivor!
We have a survivor!
Survivor!
A survivor! We have a survivor!
(National Airlines Bus 6)
Our mountaineering club members are here to help
but they won't let us near the site.
They say we are the perpetrators!
You people look after the families of the bereaved.
Bereaved? Some relatives are still hoping...
Arrange for coffins.
Don't let the bereaved see.
Make damn sure we've got enough!
The buses are here!
(NAL Jet Crashes With 524 Aboard)
(NAL 123 Next-of-Kin)
Excuse us for disturbing you.
We are from National Airlines.
We are here at your service.
If there is anything...
Take us up there!
They found four survivors didn't they?!
My daughters might be alive!
Yes!
They'll need some clothes and a cold drink!
Take us up there!
Please! May I ask you to reconsider?
The site is a two-hour drive.
Then it's a steep climb of three hours
for even police or military men.
If you'd just...
What have they found?
What we want now is information!
Tell us!
Unfortunately, our company is not allowed onto the site.
We can only wait for police reports.
Then why are you here saying you're at our service?!
I'm sorry!
What kind of a cheesy outfit is NAL, anyway?!
(Examination Center)
Give me back my husband!
Please! Give him back!
Please! Please!
Give him back!
Mrs. Oyamada!
(Child VIP)
I'm sorry!
Why?
Shinpei...
Why?!
(Winter 1962)
A 2.5- Month bonus instead of 4.2 with no contract extension
is unacceptable to this union!
Mr. Hiyama.
We have people's lives in our care!
Low salaries and poor conditions have an impact on safety!
Chairman Onchi try to understand.
We're asking for subsidies right now.
This is the best we can offer.
Our demands are not unreasonable, sir.
Textile workers, steel...
There is more danger in our work!
Gyoten
It's ridiculous to compare a government corporation like us.
With long-established primary industries.
Why?
The government has us by the neck.
We're not free to act!
Mr. Domoto!
This from the man who blamed a mechanic's death on his own error
when in violation of our contract his station was under-staffed?!
That's oppression!
Nakagawa's family was compensated.
Mr. Hachiuma!
You're the one who tricked them into accepting that!
What did you say?!
He was a martyr!
Aw, shut up!
You shut up!
Shikata...
If this is your answer
we must exercise our right...
to go on strike!
Strike?
That's a very frightening word.
If National Airlines went on strike
the public would be furious.
They'll be a lot madder if there's a crash!
That's right!
The strike will begin at midnight
the day after tomorrow, the 25th!
Wait, Gyoten!
That's the day the Prime Minister flies back from Europe!
Please! Any day but that!
You leave us no other choice.
Good day.
Chairman Onchi!
(NAL Workers Union 4.2- Month Bonus Campaign)
It wasn't me.
Vice-Chairman Gyoten thought of the Prime Minister.
We weren't getting anywhere.
The negotiations needed a boost.
It's not fair you didn't tell us.
I was as shocked as the President!
To fool an enemy fool a friend first.
I'd have thought at least Mr. Gyoten would tell you!
Why?
Oh, you hear rumors...
What rumors?
OK, OK! Listen, everyone!
If we do go on strike we have to be ready.
The future of National Airlines rides on this!
2.5 months bonus plus 8,000 across the board.
Revision of the labor contract to be tabled for the present
subject to further consideration.
Not a chance!
All right. That is most unfortunate.
As of tomorrow at midnight, we are on strike.
Onchi, wait!
We'll discuss this offer.
What are you doing?!
What do you mean?
They're not bargaining. We can't back down now!
The PM's flight was just a threat!
If we go through with this the public will blame us!
Look at the long-term!
We can't maintain safety if we go on like this!
Aye!
The company won't ride roughshod over us!
Chairman!
Come back, Chairman Onchi.
The company will reconsider.
We won!
We get 4.2 months' pay as a year-end bonus!
Onchi! Onchi!
Thank you!
We all stood together.
I'm proud to be one of you!
But we've only got half what we wanted!
Better working conditions mean greater safety!
Let's work for the day when everyone is secure in the air!
Onchi! Onchi!
Come in and celebrate Vice-Chairman.
I always get scared when push comes to shove.
I can't take that last step.
Pretty lame, huh?
No.
I support your sense of caution.
A car needs an accelerator but it needs brakes, too.
You like Onchi, don't you.
I...
Uh, hey...
I was rude to you. Forgive me.
Not at all.
I wasn't any help.
The police had just asked if my grandson had any cavities.
He'd only just turned a year old!
I was still angry about that.
I'm the one who told my son to bring the baby for me to see.
He said he'd drive, but I said that would take too long.
And his wife got carsick, so I said not to drive.
A jumbo’s safe.
They're designed never to crash, I told him.
Me...
I sent them the tickets!
Mrs. Fuse, this one's a woman.
In the shape they're in how can you tell?!
This is a child's...
This is my husband's...
It looks a bit small The fire shriveled him!
These fingernails...
my husband's fingernails.
He had beautiful fingers.
I'd know them anywhere.
There's no mistake.
Let's check the fingerprints.
It's my father.
May I?
Ayumi, Yuya, Keiko...
Please get along, work hard and help your mother.
I'm so very, very sorry.
I'm beyond help now.
I don't know what's wrong.
It's been five minutes.
I never want to fly again.
Please, God! Help me!
I never dreamed yesterday would be our last meal together.
There was a bang in the cabin and then smoke.
What's going on?
Yuya, take care of things now.
Mama, I'm truly sorry this had to happen.
Goodbye.
Look after the children.
It's 6:30.
The plane is circling and losing altitude.
My life has been a happy one.
I'm grateful.
I'm home.
Welcome back.
Hajime?
They let me come home tonight.
Tomorrow I go back.
Will you be all right?
You can't help anyone if you get sick...
Are you two here, too?
It must be hard for you.
And for you, too.
Dad...
you smell.
Katsuki!
I haven't had a bath.
I've run the bath. Do you want to go in now?
Yeah.
I'll be going. I've got work tomorrow.
Me, too.
What?
Talk to him, OK?
Night, Dad.
I told you to take these things down, didn't I?
Now I remember!
That smell...
it's like your house in Nairobi.
Night.
You two take care.
I'll call you.
Weren't you going in the bath first?
Yeah...
Well...
I'll bet it was hot!
What did Junko want?
Oh, Mr. Okura...
They've set the date?
Not yet.
Go take a bath first.
Why? Tell me.
Mr. Okura told his parents about Junko.
They checked you out.
I was so mad!
Not at him, at his parents.
Why?
I don't want to say.
Ritsuko!
They don't want him marrying a red.
(Winter 1964)
Excuse me
Mr. Onchi, please!
May I have a word, sir?
What's all the fuss, Onchi?
Why do I have to go to Karachi?!
You reap what you sow, Onchi.
It's true I served four years as union Chairman.
But now I'm working quietly in Accounts.
You're a wolf in sheep's clothing.
One day you'll bare your teeth.
That's not my opinion.
But almost everyone else here thinks so.
You were going to shut down the Prime Minister's flight!
We didn't stop that flight!
We couldn't let you!
I suggested this foreign posting.
Then I had to persuade people who hate you like the plague.
What do you mean?
Onchi
put up with it for two years.
I'll bring you back.
As far as I'm concerned you're exactly the kind of man
that NAL needs.
I believe you're exactly the kind of man NAL will need.
You're too kind.
You've heard
Onchi's posted to Karachi?
He'll probably come complaining to you for sympathy...
but don't fall for it.
He's cut a deal with the president
for a promotion when he gets back.
He's very good at using colleagues.
To change a company takes influence.
He made a deal to get promoted?
Gyoten...
would you like to take a step forward?
You are an NAL staff member
who can handle anything that comes.
I think I'm going to accept the posting.
It needs someone young.
You don't mind?
But I've set a condition.
Mr. Hiyama promised there'd be no other disciplinary transfers.
Is that all right with you?
If that's what you've decided.
Oh
there's a favor I want to ask you.
Sawaizumi, the new Chairman.
He's young and he'll need your help.
Two years isn't long.
I'll be back before you know it.
I'm home.
Hello!
I'm home.
Where's Mom?
Lying down in her room.
And the doctor?
He said it's nothing serious.
But she has to watch her blood pressure.
You haven't eaten, have you?
Ritsuko...
Could you make some tea?
Did something happen?
I'm being sent abroad.
To Karachi, in Pakistan.
Karachi? Why you?
They say stick it out for two years.
I'll go first.
You and the kids can come later.
Karachi? What's it like there?
I'll go see Mom.
Mom? I'm coming in.
I'm home.
Don't get up.
Hello.
I'm sorry about this.
Be careful.
High blood pressure runs in our family.
You, too.
Today
the company told me I'm being sent abroad for two years.
Ritsuko and the kids are coming. What would you like to do?
I could never go abroad now.
I'll be fine here alone.
Where are you going?
Yeah...
Two years won't be long.
I'll be back in a flash.
Good night.
Hajime!
Haven't you always worked yourself
to the bone for the people at work?
Yes.
Then why would they do this to you?
Past-Chairman Onchi has been transferred to Karachi!
No punishment postings!
(Karachi, Pakistan)
Ritsuko!
Dad!
Careful!
Am I glad to see you!
It's a long way, huh?
Hajime!
It's so hot!
It's Karachi.
Did you sleep on the plane?
A bit.
Up we go!
The car's waiting. Let's go!
Like a drink, Chairman?
It's the only way to beat this heat.
Don't make it too obvious. They're Muslims here.
That's the Chairman for you!
Straight as an arrow.
I keep telexing head office for a new air conditioner...
Head office probably doesn't even remember we're here.
Anyway
you've been promised a promotion in two years.
This new union...
...will appeal to those who are tired
of the class struggle we have now.
Our motto will be better working conditions
through greater productivity.
We'll get right to work on splitting them up.
It'll take time, though.
It's like a family of 3,000 people.
Get it done in six months.
Get a few hundred for now...
Four figures. We need more than a thousand.
I'm sleepy.
Just ten more to go.
Why does bird look like island when they mean different things?
Well, uh...
I'll look that up and tell you later.
I'm home.
Hello!
Hard at work, are you?
When's the Japanese school starting?
Soon.
You keep saying that!
You've still got ten characters!
He wants to go to school with other kids.
He has no friends nearby.
Hey, you want to play catch?
Katsuki!
(I want to go back to Japan!)
Here we go.
Onchi...
Yes.
Aren't you sick of this place yet?
You want to go home, don't you?
There's less than a year to go.
Write a letter of apology and I'll bring you back now.
This posting was to give you a chance to shape up.
Wait, Chief...
Vice-Director of Labor Management.
I can put you anywhere you want.
Just promise to cut your union ties
and devote yourself to work.
My union work served the company.
And I can't abandon my colleagues.
So your family suffers while you play hero?
You'll be sorry!
As you know
we now have an aviation agreement with Iran.
We start flying into Tehran next April 1st.
So it's been decided to send someone
from a Middle East office
who knows the region.
I've done two years in Karachi.
People go back to Japan after a hardship post!
I agree.
But...
you're a special case.
I can't accept this! This is crazy!
Onchi...
I'd really like to be able to help you.
But this is way above my head.
Forgive me.
Can't someone at head office help?
You could ask Mr. Gyoten...
Why him?
He was with you in the union.
Why is it only you...
who doesn't go home?
Dad!
Dad! Mom!
Look! The kite's flying!
What about you three?
Will you come with me?
No.
We can't leave your mother alone
any longer.
I'm sorry.
I can't quit now.
My pride won't allow it.
Well, as long as you're not too miserable about it...
Gyoten went to San Francisco.
A fast-track posting.
Hajime Onchi
the former Chairman of our union after two years in Karachi
has been shuffled off abroad yet again!
We firmly protest this!
Make the company change its attitude!
Hey! What are you doing?!
(Tehran, Iran)
Mother ill. Return immediately.
Sorry!
Sorry! Thanks.
Mr. Onchi!
This is from head office.
Dad?
Mom! Dad's back.
Hajime...
I'm sorry.
Could they be alone, please?
Mom...
I'm home.
As it happens
I saw your mother just last week.
I'd just come back from San Francisco to head office.
She phoned wanting to see me.
What did she want to see you about?
You, of course.
She asked if I could do anything to get you back here.
She was in tears. I told her I would.
Onchi...
I couldn't do it while she was alive
but I want to keep my promise.
I've talked to people.
If you'll just write a letter of apology...
Just a formality.
Just pretend to bow your head and you can come back!
Onchi...
leave it to me.
I'll do right by you.
Mr. Onchi!
Over here!
Mr. Onchi!
- Are you well? - Yes.
This is where we work now.
This is how they treat us
since they started the new union.
Supposedly we're taking in old parts
for resale as used fixtures
but there's no work at all.
Now they've got their own pet union,
it's bare-faced discrimination
against all of us from the old one.
Yagi at the downtown
sales office has it worst.
He sits by the door, like a receptionist
but no one talks to him the whole day long.
He's a scapegoat.
He can't even slouch over as he sits there.
And our boss now is from the second union, here to spy on us.
I see.
I'd heard about the new union, but...
How's it doing?
At its inaugural meeting,
they said they had 1,650 members.
They hold out better terms and better positions.
They're trying hard to split us.
Why didn't you tell me?
Sorry.
I'm not much help way off in Tehran.
What about Gyoten?
Couldn't he do anything?
We haven't seen hide nor hair of him
since you left Japan.
He just wants to get ahead.
Quiet!
The one behind it is Mr. Hachiuma
the Vice-Director of Labor Management.
And of course behind him is Mr. Domoto, the Managing Director.
You promised there'd be no action
against other union members!
Sawaizumi's selling old seats
and Yagi's a receptionist!
All right, Onchi, settle down...
I apologize.
I'm tired. What with being abroad all this time, and my mother...
I'm sorry.
I wasn't able to do anything for you.
This time I promise.
You'll come back as soon as we have scheduled flights to Tehran.
I promise.
A man's word is his bond.
How's it feel to be back?
Did you write your apology?
Give it to me.
I'll take it in for you.
Tell me...
what's the company?
Don't we fight for our co-workers in order to help the company?
What's to apologize for?
When are you going to smarten up?
Tehran isn't where you should be.
Hurry up and come home.
I won't write it.
I can't.
Mr. Domoto?
Sorry I'm late.
Is the guy starting to see the light?
No. He hasn't changed a bit.
He says he won't write a letter of apology.
Oh, well...
Thank you.
Oh, yes...
we need someone in Nairobi.
Someone who can set up scheduled flights to Kenya.
Someone with international experience.
Know anyone?
(February 1969)
(Onchi, Hajime: Ordered to Nairobi Branch)
Hello?
This is Onchi, in Tehran.
Could I speak with Mr. Hiyama, please?
It's a private matter...
Hello?
That was good!
Mom...
isn't Dad coming home with us?
He's going to work in Africa.
I want him to come!
Is he being shipped out?
Who told you that?
Is that when you do something bad?
No!
Katsuki
if you ever say that again I'll be very angry.
The other kids' fathers come home!
Shall we drop by the bazaar?
I realize you're very determined
but you're hurting the children.
Dad says let's drop by the bazaar.
Katsuki...
Look after Junko and your mother.
Ritsuko!
Ritsuko...
(Nairobi, Kenya)
The new NAL calendars are here
so I brought them over.
Thank you.
Japan's beautiful, isn't it.
It makes you want to go home.
I hope you'll use NAL when you fly home at year-end.
If you flew into Nairobi, we'd be glad to use NAL.
We're negotiating that
with the Kenyan government right now.
By the summer of next year I hope.
Go for it, Mr. Onchi.
I will.
Eat with me.
No thanks. I'm full.
(Vice-Minister of Tourism)
Did the baby come?
Not yet.
Junko?
The new term has started,
but I don't want to go to school.
Do you know what's happening to me?
No one in the class is on my side.
That's because they all know
my father's in Kenya.
They say you were sent there alone
for doing something wrong at work.
Dad, why are you in Africa?
Why is your work more important than your family?
Mom's always in a bad mood.
Katsuki won't talk to anyone.
I'm all alone.
Our family is falling apart.
To my self-centered father from Junko.
(This month's board meeting...
resolved as of 31 March...
to break off negotiations with Kenya government.)
(Metal Fatigue Shattered Bulkhead?)
(Crash Plane In 1978 Tail strike)
(Error Made In Bulkhead Repair)
(Osaka) Hello.
You're here?
Yes. Lots of the victims were from here.
Do you have a minute?
Is the president going up Mt Osutaka to pay homage?
He's resigning. What's the point?
He's just a decoration now.
Within the company, maybe.
But our top man should go up there and bow down.
The families want that.
Whose side are you on?
You know what we're going to face
after the crash investigation.
Sir! Time to go!
You handle the bereaved
as a NAL staff member.
Make way!
We are here today to offer our apologies and our prayers.
We fully appreciate how you must feel in your loss.
Our company will endeavor to do all in its power to assist you.
We are truly sorry.
And now we have other visits to make...
Sit.
Sit down, please.
Sir you needn't apologize to us.
Apologize to our daughters please.
Say their names and apologize to them.
You say you're here to pray for them
and you don't know their names?!
I'm very sorry.
You wipe off the president's trousers,
and not our carpet?
Is that how it is?
Get out!
Go away!
Get out! Now!
Mr. Domoto!
You're here to pray now?!
Where have you been?!
I'm very sorry!
We're visiting the families
of all the 520 who were lost.
You're resigning
to take responsibility aren't you?
Why bother talking to you?
I hope you're not getting a pay-out!
I will be resigning shortly...
but National Airlines will continue
to look into the cause of the accident
and compensate the...
We know the cause!
You packed 520 people
onto an old plane you were too cheap to fix!
Next is Natsuko Suzuki of Tennoji Ward.
When the New York Express came out with what caused this
I'm told Hachiuma, contacted you from New York first.
It was the next day when I heard the news.
Of course
I heard nothing about it from you.
I gave instructions for you to be told.
There must have been some
It's not the first time!
You're distancing yourself.
But you were quick to wipe my trousers
with your handkerchief.
It might be that you're a born con-man.
You'll come to a bad end someday.
Good!
Excuse me...
Would you know where the Hidas' house is?
English was her best subject.
She always said she wanted to be
either an English teacher or a flight attendant.
She said she wanted to be a flight attendant like you.
I'm sorry to have just dropped in on you.
Not at all.
Thank you for coming way out here.
Please don't forget Kyoko.
Um...
may I ask something?
Have you joined
the association of victims' families?
Yes.
I joined just recently.
Yes, she was a victim,
but at the same time she was a NAL employee
so I didn't feel right about it.
But then the magazines ran that snapshot...
someone took on board
of her putting an oxygen mask on a passenger.
People started praising how she'd carried on to the end
and so...
I see.
Why?
No reason.
We can't let the families unite.
And to have one of our attendants'
families with them criticizing us...
is even worse.
You really don't get it.
She switched flights with me.
That's hard as it is.
I couldn't ask her mother
to give me a list of names.
I need that list, Miki.
This is the perfect chance for me to rise.
Could you maybe ask Onchi for the list of names?
You could ask him.
Mr. Onchi would never agree to that.
And...
he's different from you.
How?
How are we different?
How?
How?!
That list...
get it.
Your son's annual income
was 5,192,865
Assuming he worked to 67,
we multiply by 32...
which comes to 166,171,680.
To calculate lost profits
we subtract living expenses of 50 per cent
and apply the Hoffmann Coefficient,
to arrive at 48,825,510.
And a consolation payment of 19 million.
Hold it!
You know what it's like to see a body
you can't even tell is your son's?
70 million when you killed him like that?
At least 100 million!
That isn't a serious offer!
I'm afraid it is.
Excuse me.
Where have you been?!
He's no good!
Why did you switch with him?!
Just pay some money and that's that?
I'm very sorry.
I'll take over.
No.
I am in charge of Mrs. Suzuki's case.
You shut up.
She can't think straight pickled in alcohol like that.
Nobuo was the son I suffered to bear!
He's worth more than this!
Let's step outside.
All right.
Excuse me.
Excuse us.
Why aren't you talking to the wife?
You're out of date.
It doesn't matter who puts their seal on the agreement.
That attitude is the problem!
You gain their trust first then talk about money!
Aw, man!
At that rate nothing will ever get settled.
You're back in Japan.
Catch up or shut up.
What?!
Say that again!
Stop it!
Stop it, please!
Did you know...
there are 230 widows in Osaka from this accident?
I hate how you write 'widow'.
Not yet, dead, and person.
(Taiji Tonegawa, Prime Minister)
(Masanari Totoki Chief Cabinet Secretary)
This ends today's cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister...
About the next NAL president...
If you haven't decided...
I have some ideas.
No, Minister.
I'm moving quietly ahead on that
don't worry.
With Mr. Domoto's resignation
announced it's as if they've had no president
these last few months.
It's a problem.
NAL is our national flag carrier Mr. Michizuka.
And especially now
after this unprecedented tragedy...
our decision must be flawless.
As you say, sir.
(The Prime Minister Tetsujiro Takemaru)
Deputy Prime Minister
must in his wisdom choose a man
to not only put NAL back on its feet
but who can also oversee
its forthcoming privatization
and our overall airlines policy.
Leave this to us.