Hey, Iso.
At the time of the Boshin Civil War, your grandfather
was already 77 years old.
But he bravely charged the enemy.
He died a glorious death.
Our city, Nagaoka, burned for three days and nights.
The whole city burned to ashes.
It was a horrible sight to behold.
That was 20 years ago.
Time does fly...
THE ADMIRAL (ADMIRAL YAMAMOTO)
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Company, halt!
Left turn!
Take aim!
What the hell are you up to!
How dare you aim at the Navy!
How dare you!
Withdraw!
If the Army wants a fight, let us be prepared!
Hurry to the generators!
If they cut off our water and power, 3,000 men won't be able to flush!
Withdraw!
At ease!
Company, advance!
Yes.
Excuse me.
I've ordered a Yokosuka land battalion to stand by.
I see.
The Army is insolent!
To conclude the Tripartite Pact, they're even threatening a coup d'état.
That was a real scare.
I thought they'd really shoot.
The Army and Navy shooting at each other is no joking matter.
But I trust all is well, Yamamoto?
Yes. With General Inoue in charge, things will be fine.
Right.
I'll excuse myself, then.
Minister.
Please make no scandalous detours on your way home today.
Right.
Only because you insist.
He'll detour.
Yes, a detour is written all over his face.
Excuse me.
Undersecretary, Chief Editor Munakata of Tokyo Nippo is here.
Oh, it's that time already? I leave you in charge.
Shindo here
was completely panicked that a battle was about to start.
At this rate, we could repeat the tragedy of the February 26 coup from three years ago.
Undersecretary, you should look after your own personal safety.
I appreciate your concern.
Even with things in this state,
will the Navy still oppose the Tripartite Pact?
Yes, of course.
Is your reason America?
If we side with Germany, America won't sit still.
Which country stole land from our countrymen with their discriminatory law?
America.
And proposed the League of Nations but refuses to join over the Monroe Doctrine?
America.
On top of that, expands their own colonies,
but refuses to acknowledge our rightful national interests in Asia?
As you say.
Why wouldn't you try to sweep aside such a country?
Can you sweep them aside?
It's true.
Their shipbuilding capacity is 4.5 times ours.
For aeroplanes, six times, for cars, 100 times.
For oil, 700 times ours.
In half a day, they produce Japan's annual consumption.
In national strength, America is 10 times stronger than Japan.
Your understanding is correct.
But in the Russo-Japanese war, we beat Russia, also 10 times our might, right?
At the time, Russia was undergoing a revolution.
Thus, we could sue for peace after one victorious battle.
But today, wars are total wars.
It will not end until one side has burned to ashes.
So we should shut up and do America's bidding?
No.
We must boldly assert our nation's conditions
and confront our opponents without fear. But that,
should be handled by diplomacy. That is my point.
Your point is well taken.
But the last resort of diplomacy is war...
Is it not?
Listen, Mr Munakata,
once you start a war, there's no turning back.
We must not bring catastrophe upon our nation
by charging without sober deliberation.
So we must grin and bear it?
Even if our people are smothered by this gloomy helplessness?
Isn't it you,
who are fanning the flames of this helplessness you refer to?
The newspapers simply represent public opinion.
This public opinion,
is it truly the voice of the people?
Right.
Welcome back!
- Shindo, Shindo! - Yes!
Did you get Undersecretary Yamamoto?
The chief is in his room.
Okay! He'll write the editorial in time. Akiyama!
What was Undersecretary Yamamoto like?
He's a mysterious man.
But it's clear the Tripartite Pact is a long way off.
Internally, the Navy is still fighting the Boshin War.
The Boshin War?
The Navy's inner circle come from Satsuma and Choshu clans.
But the minister and the general come from Morioka and Sendai.
And the Undersecretary comes from Nagaoka.
They all fought Satsuma and Choshu.
I see, of course they'll clash.
WAR RECORDS OF IMPERIAL JAPAN
War Records of Imperial Japan.
In 1868, even as the Boshin Civil War raged,
our nation entered the new Meiji era,
and based on twin victories over Russia and China,
grew to be counted among the world's five great nations.
And the Great War, which erupted in the Taisho era,
brought our nation unprecedented prosperity.
But as the Showa era dawned, the great depression stormed Japan.
Advancing on Manchuria was Japan's solution.
Ever since, our conflict with China intensified
and over the course of seven years of localized combat,
domestically, Japan witnessed three major military coups d'états,
spreading social anxiety.
On July 7th, 1937, war with China erupts.
Japan and China are finally in full-scale war.
The Army believed it would win in one month, but the Soviet Union, England,
and America all aided Chiang Kai-shek's government
and the fighting bogged down.
That was when Germany, under command of Hitler,
asked Japan to join the Tripartite Pact with Italy.
For Japan, bogged down in China, it was an extremely attractive offer.
The Japanese people were in a frenzy over Germany's
ferocious military advance over Europe.
But despite an avalanche of support for the Tripartite Pact,
the Navy's sole opposition managed to prevent its conclusion.
"...to join forces with our German ally,
"to liberate Asia from the grip of the Euro-American powers,
"in order to build the New East Asian Order,
"now is the time for the Navy to decisively support the Tripartite Pact.
"We fervently desire this."
All right, that's the editorial. Submit this!
Yes!
Yes? Political Desk.
Aborted assassination?
ASSASSINATION PLOT
UNDERSECRETARY YAMAMOTO TARGET
I demand that the Navy's Yonai, Yamamoto,
and Inoue, who all advance
Britain and America's cause,
by blocking the Tripartite Pact, so essential to Japanese policy today,
all resign immediately!
The Military Police have offered protection.
The usual routine is fine. The Army's Military Police scare me more.
But, Sir...
The usual routine is fine.
If my death awakens the Japanese people, so be it.
Totally inappropriate!
Don't twist things your way!
Isn't the Tripartite Pact necessary so that Germany can restrain
the Soviet Union from invading south!
Incomprehensible! Do you have any brains in your head?
Why the hell would Germany move to support Japan?
What!
Oh, Sir...
Are you all analysing international affairs?
These naval officers are worse than the Army.
Undersecretary,
why do you not acknowledge the strength of our ally, Germany?
Our ally?
You're awfully devoted to Germany.
In that case, I presume you've read Hitler's Mein Kampf?
Every last page.
In other words,
the Japanese are an inferior race, lacking in imagination,
but they are skilful and clever
and perfect for Germany to use!
I never read those words!
Of course not!
Because Chapter 11 in your edition is conveniently deleted!
Unfortunately, it seems an essential part was missing
from the Japanese translation you men read.
If you don't trace things back to their source,
you can overlook the essentials.
Enter.
Excuse me.
What?
Germany signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union.
Your ally has sided with our sworn enemy.
Prime Minister Hiranuma is dissolving the cabinet.
The signing of the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet...
Hitler gave up on Japan because we dithered. Farewell Tripartite Pact.
War with America will have to wait thanks to the cowards in the Navy.
- Welcome. - All done with the show?
I'm so hungry. Noodles please!
At least remove your stage makeup before filling your belly.
Nobody brings me snacks to my dressing room any more.
Not in this economy...
If they don't start a war soon, my factory will go bankrupt.
Say, if a war starts,
will the economy really get better?
In the Great War, 20 years ago, the economy quickly recovered.
That's right, war is best.
We're already at war with China.
We can't start wars everywhere.
But it's America that's behind China.
So if we beat America, we can beat China, too.
Exactly!
YAMAMOTO PROMOTED TO FLEET COMMANDER
Six pence!
This one, too.
Minister, the Tripartite Pact negotiations ended,
but none of the problems are solved.
Please let me remain and serve as Undersecretary.
But if you stay here in headquarters,
you'll run out of lives.
Why don't you spend some time out at sea.
Hey, Inoue.
Thank you for your long service.
I'm grateful.
You forcefully pressured the Ministry
into stopping the Tripartite Pact.
You saved the Navy.
No, I had my hands full reining in the youth.
Which left no time for constructive
discussions about the future of Japan. I'm disappointed.
Well...
In the fall, I'll be transferred to the China Sea fleet.
I had hoped that at least you would stay in the Ministry.
Admiral Yamamoto...
Thank you for everything.
Right, we'll meet again.
So you're the Fleet Commander.
You, who never aspired to fame or fortune.
You're unmatched in the Navy, Hori,
and much more suited than me.
Won't you take my place?
I'm a civilian now. They fired me five years ago.
"Fleet in being."
A nation's navy is always defending.
It exists to guarantee peace.
The non-combative fleet you kept lobbying for,
is hard to realise.
The current Military Command knows nothing of war
and neither do the military planners.
It's impossible to persuade them.
Hori...
Yeah?
Take my place?
It's been five years since I've been to sea.
September, 1939,
Yamamoto bid farewell to the Navy Ministry.
And he assumed his post as Fleet Commander on the flagship, Nagato,
based on Hashira Island in the Inland Sea.
Just then, the blitzkrieg struck Europe.
Germany finally launched its attack against Poland.
In response, England and France declared war.
The peace in Europe did not even last 20 years,
and eight months passed in this new Second World War.
Meanwhile, under Yamamoto's command,
the Japanese fleet improved the performance of its aircraft carriers,
vigorously training its carrier-based planes.
May, 1940,
Germany broke its inaction and began invading again.
Quickly conquering Belgium and Holland, in one month, it occupied Paris.
It was an overwhelming victory, a "blitzkrieg" in every sense.
As though in concert with Germany's blitzkrieg,
voices called anew for the Tripartite Pact in Japan.
The Germans can't seem to be stopped.
Once our Yamato battleship is built, we'll be invincible.
Chief of Staff, the future belongs to aeroplanes.
We could build 1,000 planes for the price of one of your battleships.
Listen, the history of our Japanese Navy is built on battles at sea...
These Inland Sea sardines are tasty.
Yes.
Both of you hail from the Inland Sea area, don't you?
Yes.
I'm envious. Your fish are tasty to the bone.
Where did you get these, the sweet dumplings!
Sweet dumplings?
Enter, Makino.
Excuse me.
I'm Ensign Makino, who served under you at Kasumigaura Air Corps.
I assumed my position on the Akagi's combat unit yesterday.
Good to hear.
Is this your doing?
Yes! I was given leave and went home to Nagaoka.
They're my mother's homemade dumplings.
Try some.
Sugar on sweet dumplings?
That's right.
Is your mother well?
She is delighted that I will be working under your command.
Tasty.
Enjoy.
Thanks.
Saeki, your rear!
Oh, no, rats!
Great!
Victory!
Arima, stay focused on your rear!
Yes!
Always a battlefield?
Yes, it means endeavour in everything as though you are at war.
But the Nagaoka samurai have three principles.
Three?
The second is Kawai's spirit of duty.
Kawai fought to the bitter end, never forgetting his debt to the Shogunate.
- Tokugawa? - Debt?
Yes.
Thirdly, the spirit of 100 bushels of rice.
One hundred bushels of rice?
Even after the battle was lost and our clansmen were starving,
our clan clung to the gift of 100 bushels of rice, building a school with its profit.
When everyone was starving?
A hundred bushels of rice are gone if you eat them.
But if you spend it on people, it can grow to be 10,000 bushels.
If you are to lead men, always consider the future.
ALWAYS A BATTLEFIELD
100,000 men.
What?
We lost 100,000 men in the Russo-Japanese war.
But after 20 or 30 years, everyone quickly forgets.
The newspapers and the people.
Being good at forgetting
is one of our people's strengths, as well.
- Please. - I know.
In order to participate in Germany's new world economy,
now is the time to conclude the Tripartite Pact.
We must not
miss this bus...
The Tripartite Pact,
is now an agreement between four nations, including the Soviet Union,
and confronted with these four nations, even America
will reconsider its disrespect.
We are done with the weak-willed Navy!
Now is the time to conclude the Tripartite Pact!
Don't miss the bus!
Listen, Navy Minister!
MINISTRY OF THE NAVY
I have only just taken Yoshida's place as Navy Minister,
but political stagnation must not be permitted.
If the Navy persists in opposing the Tripartite Pact,
Konoe's cabinet will be forced to resign
and we cannot be held to blame.
Therefore, I reluctantly propose
that we revise our policy.
I hope that you officers
will join my support for the Tripartite Pact.
Any objections?
Please wait.
I swear total allegiance
to your command, Minister.
But I do have some concerns, so let me ask you,
if the Tripartite Pact is concluded,
the chances of a conflict with America increase.
Currently, our lack of aviators is apparent.
If we do go to war with America, we will need
1,000 fighter planes and 1,000 bombers.
In other words, we must double our current plane strength.
But our country relies on America for steel, oil
and other manufacturing resources.
If we sign with Germany now,
we will inevitably lose all of that.
In which case, how have you revised your plans,
to compensate for that loss?
Please tell me.
We will await the future deliberations of each department...
Minister, that is not an answer.
Please tell me the reason why you think a war against America is possible.
I'm sure you have your opinions,
but the majority is in favour, so...
Excuse me.
A telegram from the commander.
"Begin planning the attack."
I'm home!
Oh, my. Welcome home.
Yes.
Thanks for the food.
Yoshimasa, pickles are for the end of the meal.
Yes.
Take a sip of miso soup before you eat rice.
What's most important is to clean your plate and eat your fill.
Yes.
Here, Yoshimasa.
Here.
Thank you.
Here, Sumi.
There you go.
Thank you.
Here, Ma.
Thank you.
Here, Tadao.
Thank you.
Here, Mother.
Thank you.
Commander Yamamoto, it seems we'll finally join the Tripartite Pact.
"The national defence
"is to provide requisite armed forces, but also to grow national strength,
"while using diplomacy to evade war.
"That is the essence of national defence.
"In other words,
"the national defence is not exclusive to soldiers..."
Those are the words of Admiral Kato,
who, taking Japan's future into consideration,
decided to sign the Washington Disarmament Treaty,
limiting naval armaments.
The words of that notorious Prime Minister Kato who created the flip-flop cabinet.
September 27th, 1940.
The Tripartite Pact which shook our nation for three years,
was finally concluded.
The bus Japan climbed on has taken off, engines gunning.
Who's in my plane?
Commander.
I wish this could fly to Monaco.
Excuse me, Sir!
There's a gambling den called a casino.
If I hadn't become a sailor, I'd have made my fortune there.
I see.
Commander, may I ask you a question?
I boarded your plane, I guess I have to answer you.
What?
As a man from Nagaoka, I can understand Kawai's spirit of study.
Indeed...
Always remember the debt to the Shogunate and fight to the bitter end.
But the Shogunate ended years ago.
What are we to feel indebted to today?
To our parents who gave birth to us.
And our birthplace which nurtured their lives.
In other words, our country.
It means we must labour for Japan.
Yes, Sir.
Excuse me.
Yes.
I've brought Admiral Nagumo.
I'm assuming my new duties.
Through strenuous efforts, I will execute my duties.
Right.
It's been a while.
Care to stay for supper?
No, I must return to my new duties on the Akagi.
I see.
In other words, Nagumo commands the No. 1 Aircraft Carrier Fleet,
while commanding the combat planes on the Akagi and the Kaga.
While Yamaguchi commands the No. 2 Aircraft Carrier Fleet.
The Navy made a radical personnel assignment.
Is there a problem?
Nagumo is a pure "fleet faction" man who pushed hard to expand the fleet.
He's the one who shoved Hori, a "treaty faction" man, into early retirement.
Oh, Vice Admiral Hori, renowned as a rare talent that could lead the Navy.
And Hori was Yamamoto's classmate and his closest friend.
There is no way that Yamamoto and Nagumo will get along.
Commander Yamamoto has it rough with Nagumo in charge of his combat planes.
Indeed.
Hello, political desk.
Germany voided its non-aggression pact with the Soviets!
What! Turn the radio on.
...is advancing to the Eastern Front. I repeat.
Early yesterday, Germany announced it is voiding its non-aggression pact.
Nazi military forces are marching to the Eastern Front, heading for Moscow.
With the sudden Germany/Soviet conflict, Munakata couldn't leave the office,
so I took the liberty of coming in his stead.
The bus seems to be racing in an unexpected direction.
The route is somewhat off course,
but as Munakata writes in his editorials,
if Germany manages to crush the Soviets, our greatest northern threat disappears.
This bus has no choice but to keep running.
How far will it run?
What?
I'm asking, what is its destination?
The Great East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.
If there really is such a place, I'd sure like to visit it once.
The job of a newspaper
is to witness and listen to new global developments
and convey them widely.
Open wide your eyes, your ears and your heart
when you look around the world.
That's the duty of those who shoulder the next generation, Shindo.
War Records of Imperial Japan. Attack on Franco-Indonesia.
In July, 1941, in order to secure natural resources, the Imperial Navy
finally invaded the French colony of Indonesia.
To retaliate, America stopped all exports
of steel, oil and other essential resources to Japan...
Relations between Japan and America have now become extremely volatile.
In the unlikely event we go to war against America and England,
how will we be able to end hostilities?
Prime Minister, it's true that America is a powerful nation.
Even if we do win a decisive victory at sea,
they will not easily surrender and we must anticipate a long war.
But if Germany wins decisively over Europe and the Soviets,
American public opinion will change dramatically,
and there is the possibility that it will end the war.
Possibility?
A battle must be fought to know its outcome.
Finally made it in under 15 minutes.
On our ship, Hiryu, we'll clock even shorter times.
It's you, Yamaguchi.
I heard you were inspecting the combat squadrons and arrived to assist you.
Liar, you just want to eat the Navy's best chow, here on the Nagato.
There's that, too.
Can it not be stopped?
It seems not.
Since when did the Navy start to favour battle?
I wonder...
A soldier must follow orders, but...
By the time you command this fleet, the Navy will change.
No, I believe you are the commander who will change the Navy.
Too slow! Sixty seconds between descending planes.
Saeki, don't look at your altimeter! Eyeball it!
Sir!
Makino!
Commander!
Your squadron leader is from Nagaoka. I bet he's tough!
Sir!
Where are you from?
Sir, I'm from Kagoshima!
Yamaguchi!
From Satsuma and Choshu!
The future of Japan rests on your shoulders!
Work hard!
Yes, Sir!
Nagaoka, Satsuma and Choshu!
Work together to defend Japan!
Yes, Sir!
Special edition! Tojo's Prime Minister!
Give me one.
Two pence.
We keep getting new prime ministers.
We've had nine in five years.
That's good. We finally have an Army general as prime minister.
Finally, Japan's going to war.
But can we really beat America?
First, it was the Mongols, then the Chinese, the Russians and the Great War.
When Japan fights a foreign war, we always win!
The country may win, but people still die.
My nephew died in China last year.
They haven't even sent his bones home.
"Navy representative to the London Naval Treaty negotiations..."
Here.
Thanks.
Still researching Yamamoto?
Yes.
We fought China when he was 10, Russia when he was 20.
He graduated naval academy in time for the Battle of Tsushima.
He lost two fingers from his left hand from Russian cannon fire.
So Yamamoto was the first sailor the Navy commended for being wounded.
The Great War at 30, the Manchurian Incident at 47,
war starts with China at 53,
and when he becomes Fleet Commander at 55
war breaks out in Europe on the very next day.
The path of Yamamoto's life is in itself Imperial Japan's War Record.
"Navy Orders No. 1.
"Orders to Fleet Commander Yamamoto.
"First, in order to defend itself, our empire
"will make all strategic preparations necessary
"to attack America, England and Holland in early December.
"Second, the Fleet Commander
"will implement all strategic preparations..."
It's the midsummer festival
Time for eggplant rice pot
I burned the tip of my nose
licking up every scrap...
I find it pathetic that this is my ordered fate.
It's too late to lay blame at anyone's feet.
My current position, in which I must resolve to violate
all my personal convictions as I work without distractions
is very odd indeed...
This is part of my fate.
Fate is cruel.
Excuse me.
The outline of the strategy is ready.
PEARL HARBOR ATTACK PLANS
Right.
The giant force will consist of six aircraft carriers
and 350 carrier-based aeroplanes.
It will converge in the bay of Eto Island and head east across the Pacific.
Then it will head due south to 200 naval miles off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The carrier-based planes will attack Pearl Harbor with torpedoes,
horizontal bombing and dive-bombing.
It will destroy America's Pacific fleet, anchoring at port.
But aren't the seas of the Northern Pacific dangerously rough in winter?
- That is what the enemy assumes. - What about re-supplies?
We are currently improving plans for re-supplying at sea.
There are problems with the attack. Pearl Harbor bay is only 12 metres deep.
If we drop torpedoes, they'll hit the ocean floor.
We're adapting our torpedoes to compensate.
This is too big a gamble!
We stick with the command's strategy, attacking the southern oilfields first!
What if enemy planes start bombing
the Japanese homeland, while we're focused on the southern oilfields?
That's...
This strategy is not a gamble.
If we have to go to war with America, we have to destroy their carriers first.
If we free up their mobile units, they'll stage an airbase near Tokyo.
Japan's skies will become vulnerable.
America is currently building 200 warships. Compared to them,
we can only build 30 in the next three years.
If we have no choice but to fight them,
we attack first, prepared for annihilation.
We ferociously attack their main fleet,
pummelling the American Navy and the American will to fight
with the vigour of our fighting spirit and then immediately
sue for peace.
Early peace.
There is no other path to Japan's survival.
Even if we die upon each other's sword, we must destroy the enemy's jewels.
If this should fail,
our country will perish.
The Hawaii plan represents my conviction.
MINISTRY OF THE NAVY
Yamamoto's talking about preparing for annihilation,
but a war with America will be long.
Nagumo, return with my fleet intact.
Don't let a single ship sink.
Yes, Sir.
Hello.
Thanks for your business.
Welcome home.
What's that, snapper?
Mother ordered it after you called.
Where is she?
She's sick in bed, with a bad cold.
Oh, I see.
One, two, one, two...
I'm so sorry.
Do you have a fever?
I'm over it now.
Let us eat.
Thanks for the food.
Stay in bed.
No...
When I graduated artillery school,
the Meiji Emperor gave this to me.
The coded telegram fixing the date of this strategy is,
"Nii Takayama Nobore."
However, if the on-going negotiations in Washington reach agreement,
even after the planes have taken off from their carrier, they must turn back.
That's impossible. They can't turn back with the enemy in their sights.
The men won't stand for it.
What do you think is the reason we foster and train our soldiers?
It is solely to defend our nation's peace!
If an officer believes he cannot turn back after receiving this order,
I forbid your deployment. Submit your resignation, now!
Also, in the unlikely event that we must go to war,
you shall not bomb civilian residential areas.
Drill that into your guts.
Commander, about the plan to storm the bay with miniature submarines?
Can they safely accommodate the crews?
No, not yet...
In that case, I can't approve that plan.
I can tolerate desperate plans but not one with no chance of survival.
I understand.
Please confirm with Military Command.
In the event we go to war, make sure to send a final warning to America.
They must swear to send this.
Yes.
When Japanese samurai strike an enemy at night,
at least they kick his pillow
to awaken him first.
If we attack before a final warning is delivered,
the Japanese Navy's name will be ruined.
December 8th, 1941.
The giant attack force of 350 planes taking off from six aircraft carriers
attacked the American Pacific fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor.
This raised the curtain on the Pacific War.
I can see the fleet.
All planes attack!
Enemy planes, Sir!
Ready.
Ready!
Sir, there are no carriers!
No. There aren't.
Telegram from Hawaii.
"Tora Tora Tora! Surprise attack succeeds!"
Officer Fujii.
I know I repeat myself, but make sure to confirm they delivered
the declaration of war.
Yes, Sir.
Squadron leader!
Oh, you're well.
Yes!
Where's Saeki?
He's not back yet.
He should be soon...
We sighted no carriers in the bay.
We couldn't attack their fuel tanks. Please let us make a second attack.
I report!
From Commander Yamaguchi of the No. 2 Carrier Fleet.
"I confirm the need for a second attack!" That's all.
Commander.
No answer from the Akagi. Shall we try again?
No...
Nagumo probably won't.
The Arizona is badly damaged, the Pennsylvania has minor damage,
the Nevada nearly sunk, the California sunk
four battleships sunk, four battleships destroyed.
America's Pacific fleet is demolished.
No... They are unhurt.
Their carriers are all unhurt.
Commander, we need to deliver the finishing blow.
Returning all our ships unhurt is part of our duty.
But...
We exit strategic waters now. All ships turn around and return to port.
They turned around? What are the mobile units doing?
Commander, let's attack them again.
- That would be an ill-advised attack. - All attacks are ill-advised!
The goal of this plan is to destroy the enemy fleet, even risking our safety.
However...
Let us abide by Nagumo's judgement.
Commander!
There must be something we can't see from here in Japanese waters.
Listen...
Even robbers are scared to walk home.
He never made it back.
I see! Every ship in the mobile unit fleet was unhurt.
Yes, there was no damage to any ship.
A battle must be fought to know its outcome.
Cheers!
Fleet Commander Yamamoto, Banzai!
Roosevelt's speech is on.
The Foreign Ministry
definitely instructed the Japanese ambassador in Washington
to deliver the declaration 30 minutes before the Pearl Harbor attack.
The Embassy staff must have mismanaged...
Mismanaged!
Mismanaged what?
I don't know the details, but ultimately the declaration
wasn't delivered until one hour after our attack.
Perhaps the Embassy took more time to translate the Ministry's cable...
Took more time!
Do you mock me?
Does anyone in the Ministry or Military Command understand what this means?
Why did Commander Yamamoto stress...
Officer Miyake.
Sir.
Let's start.
What?
This will be a tough fight.
There.
Commander Yamamoto, we wish you a happy New Year!
Please make another lightning charge this year.
Wonderful, the economy will finally improve.
I can't remember such a refreshing New Year's!
Imperial fleet, Banzai!
Banzai!
Happy New Year.
Incredible. He used to badmouth the Navy so much.
That ended with last year.
Oh, happy New Year!
Dear Iso, happy New Year
I know you must be working so very hard.
Nagaoka is all wrapped up
in a white blanket of snow.
These days, my neighbours
stop by nearly every day
to talk about you.
They say you're a hero who saved our nation,
and they pray every time they hear your name on the radio.
I know you hate that sort of thing more than anyone,
but everyone is just so very proud of you that,
as your sister,
I just listen to them gratefully.
When springtime comes,
I'll send you more sweets.
Please look forward to them.
Imperial Military Command announces that on February 15th,
the British military surrenders on the island of Singapore...
We smashed their Oriental fleet and now Singapore has fallen.
Two months into this war, we are invincible.
The oil in Borneo is ours!
Editor!
Another run of the special edition!
Not since we went to war with China!
Our circulation will increase, too!
Where was that...
You ate 50 tangerines...
Not that many, only 47. That was in Yugawara.
Pearl Harbor was a failure.
Yeah, a huge failure.
Not a single carrier in sight...
The Yankee spirit is in flames at the sneak attack.
Now they've got a righteous cause against Japan.
But our people are in seventh heaven.
You tried to evade war for them,
but they want to go to war.
No doubt they think that wars happen far across the sea.
If the day comes when bombs rain down from the sky,
this country will suffer.
You're going after them, one more time?
Yeah, we'll go after Hawaii again.
It won't take America six months to get back on its feet.
Before then, I'll smash their carriers and capture Hawaii.
That's the only way to sue for peace.
But if you bring up suing for peace in these invincible times,
the people will faint from shock.
To this country, you're as almighty as God.
If I were God, I wouldn't start a war in the first place.
Admiral Yamamoto, I thank you on behalf of the Japanese people!
Have a seat.
Your victory instantly
swept aside the dark clouds oppressing this nation.
You have managed to take revenge for
the hardships and humiliations we've tasted since the Black Ships.
America will withdraw from China and Asia will fall into our hands.
Please tell us today about your vision towards final victory.
Sue for peace.
Sue for peace?
The soldier's most important duty is to finish the war he starts.
I'm truly shocked.
You have no idea what the people want now.
What public opinion expects now!
Regardless of public opinion,
this country must not be destroyed.
I've wasted my time.
I can't print this as an article.
Excuse me.
You see...
Yes?
No, thank you for your earlier hospitality.
Take a good look at the world around you.
Got that, Shindo?
Yes.
The Yamato is big.
I can't seem to settle down. Makes me want to hit the town.
Thank you!
SWEETS
That's all you're eating?
Better say what's on your mind.
The Military Command plans to expand the war.
They seem drunk on the initial victories.
Go ahead, eat.
Little girl.
Yes.
Can I have another bowl of sweet soup?
Yes.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry. She's just...
No, no, the fault is mine.
I surprised you.
I was reckless when I was young and got hurt.
Now, more sweet soup, please.
Yes.
Thank you so much.
The plan is prepared.
MIDWAY STRATEGY PLAN
This will definitely draw out the carriers.
We'll smash them and capture Hawaii.
Military Command thinks Americans will be based in Australia and come north
over the islands to invade Japan.
So they plan to capture Fiji and Samoa to stop their northern advances.
Can our fleet deploy so far?
Apparently the Fleet Commander is still targeting Hawaii.
I see, so the Navy has more than one mind.
Hayakawa, you stay on the Navy Ministry.
The rest of you keep your ears peeled for information from all sources.
This is totally different from Pearl Harbor.
What?
Before that attack, no one leaked any information.
Did we have an air raid drill scheduled today?
Tokyo bombed?
They flew mid-sized bombers from their carriers.
They've staged an airbase near Tokyo...
Fly the No. 1 Carrier Fleet combat squadron to Atsugi to defend Tokyo!
Yes, Sir!
It was a pitiful sight.
So, this is an air raid.
In order to prevent future air raids, the Army, responsible for homeland defence,
is demanding that we push the Pacific frontline farther east.
Therefore, I have approved the Midway Plan.
Yes, Sir.
I hear Yamamoto is saying the goal is to lure their aircraft carriers,
but the real goal is to capture the Midway Islands.
The priority is to capture it to create a frontline base.
Got that, Nagumo?
Yes, Sir.
We'll destroy the enemy's airbase and land assault troops.
After, we quickly occupy the island.
At the same time, our carriers will standby between Hawaii and Midway.
We'll wait for the enemy aircraft carriers that will surely be lured,
and use all our strength to annihilate them.
According to Military Command, capturing the island is their priority.
No, capturing Midway and luring their aircraft carriers
are both goals.
The enemy carriers were hard hit in the battle at Coral Sea, two weeks ago.
They won't take the bait.
Even if they do, they're nothing to fear.
What's your evidence?
What?
What evidence do you have that they're nothing to fear?
Well, that's...
Even in Hawaii, which Military Command considers a resounding victory,
we lost 55 of our best trained flight crew.
From now on, America won't let us surprise them with any more attacks.
For an officer to assert that the enemy is nothing to fear,
is the height of insecurity.
Sir, I apologise.
For the Pacific fleet in Hawaii, Midway is a treasured
forward airbase.
If we hammer it,
their carriers have to come.
Nagumo.
Yes.
To prepare for their aircraft carriers, load half of the Akagi's fighters
with torpedoes and have them standing by.
Understood.
The goal of this plan
is to lure the enemy carriers and annihilate them.
No matter what the cost, we cannot ever let
enemy planes fly in Japanese skies.
May 27th, 1942.
The battleship Yamato, helmed by Yamamoto, followed Nagumo's Akagi
to Midway, joining a giant attack fleet of over 200 ships.
You haven't gotten a raise in pay this past year, have you, Miyake?
Sir...
You went on the attack. You'll get a bonus next month.
Sir...
If we had stayed in the Inland Sea,
I couldn't give you bonuses or medals.
The military is a complicated business...
Don't you need to load torpedoes onto half of our fighters?
The enemy carriers will never come. So we don't need to arm torpedoes.
Bombs for capturing Midway are all we need.
Forward at half speed.
I can smell 'em.
There are carriers.
I report.
Our submarines off of Kwajalein Atoll report intercepting enemy carrier signals.
Read it!
The enemy carrier position is 170 sea miles north-north-west of Midway.
I knew they'd come.
Officer, don't you need to let the Akagi know, too?
No, the Akagi should have also received it.
And we're in radio silence.
If we send a cable, the enemy may be able to identify our position.
Right...
Midway Islands, 30 degrees to right.
All planes attack!
Sir, there are no planes on their runway!
They were ready...
Officer, are you sure there are no enemy carriers?
Yes, our six reconnaissance planes have found nothing
and the carriers won't come here. You don't need to worry.
According to reports, the weather near Midway will dramatically improve.
When the clouds clear,
Nagumo will be totally exposed.
Officer Miyake.
Time for a game.
I report! The first attack squad
reports "Bombing results inadequate. Second attack on Midway required."
That's all.
An Army detachment of 2,000 men are approaching the island.
If they don't all land safely, the Navy's reputation is at stake.
We must launch a second attack immediately.
Emergency report from plane four! Discovered enemy carrier!
What?
Bearing 10 degrees from Midway, 240 sea miles, 150 degrees course, 20 knots!
That's all.
Distance from mother ship?
Roger.
Let's send the second attack against the enemy carrier.
No, they're only carrying bombs for Midway.
We can blast open their decks.
Why are our fighter planes in the air? They have to land on our deck to refuel.
We can't afford to.
They can't attack without support!
They're late.
Communications.
Signal the Akagi! "Approve immediate second attack."
Yes.
Enemy planes estimated arrival, 05:15, in 30 minutes.
Don't panic. We can deploy all planes in 15 minutes.
Commander...
Bring in the escort planes.
Refit the second attack squadron with torpedoes.
Hurry!
Sir!
Okay, this way!
I'm going down first.
Roger!
Any response from the Akagi?
Nothing.
Less than 20 minutes to enemy planes.
Second attack squadron ready for take-off.
All planes take off!
Enemy planes in five minutes!
Enemy planes! Overhead! Dive-bombing!
Full starboard!
This carrier will attack their carriers.
Signal battle command.
I hereby take over command of the air battle.
Sir.
Listen well. We will sink one enemy carrier if it costs our lives.
At this rate, the Imperial Navy will be an eternal laughing stock.
Yes, Sir!
4.2 east-south-east... I will confirm.
Excuse me!
Cable from the Hiryu!
Akagi, Kaga and Soryu, bombed and on fire.
Hiryu is attacking the carriers alone.
They got three of our ships.
Where are the escort squadrons?
Arima!
Enemy planes! Overhead! Dive-bombing!
Full starboard!
You all
fought hard to the end!
I'm grateful to you!
There's a long war still ahead.
Survive...
Survive!
And put this experience to work,
to create a strong Navy!
Go!
Commander!
Get off now!
Commander!
Commander! Please abandon ship!
Just go now.
They sank four of our carriers. Someone has to stay behind.
I will stay, too!
I will, too!
I'm plenty.
Hurry, go!
Commander!
A keepsake.
Enough...
Go.
Excuse me.
I report.
After sinking the carrier Yorktown, the Hiryu was set ablaze
and sank.
So that's it.
They got the Hiryu.
Also, Commander Yamaguchi went down with the ship.
It's over now...
Let's attack them at night!
We'll never catch up.
And at first light, we'll become a target
subjecting the flagship to the enemy's bombs!
I know that, Sir!
This is the second time, following Hawaii.
We can't limp back to port like this.
We can't take the commander back to Japan
under these pathetic conditions!
Kuroshima...
Sir!
Enough.
Let's go home to Japan.
Excuse me!
Commander Nagumo is aboard.
Right.
Miyake.
Sir.
Don't blame Nagumo.
I apologise
for this outcome.
Eat your rice soup while it's hot.
"American carriers sunk!"
"120 planes attack!"
The Imperial Navy does it again!
Why aren't there any pictures?
There were huge pictures when Singapore fell.
Yeah.
All sinking enemy ships look the same.
Really?
"Our fleet losses were minor."
But a single ship carries hundreds of sailors.
They went down with the ship.
That's just how warfare is...
Good evening.
You were closed today.
You're the man...
I'm so sorry.
Without sugar or beans since the rations, we had to close...
I see...
I'll come back again.
Oh, right.
I'm sorry for scaring you the other day.
My apologies.
It will suit you.
In the waters off Guadalcanal of the Solomon Islands, our Imperial Navy,
launched a huge attack, sinking two enemy aircraft carriers...
Despite its great victory at Midway,
the Imperial Navy abandoned its plans to capture Hawaii.
Instead, according to their original plans,
built an airbase on Guadalcanal,
to destroy the invading Americans, heading north,
on their way to fortify Australia.
Many Army officers were deployed.
The Imperial Fleet's Command
and the flagship Yamato headed south
anchoring near Truk Island on the equator.
There's oil on Borneo,
but with our tankers getting sunk like this...
No doubt things on Guadalcanal are nightmarish.
They were occupied three months ago.
Never expected the Americans would counterattack so quickly...
Yamamoto saw it coming.
It was the military bureaucrats in command who have no idea...
They always reason so as to match their foregone conclusions.
They don't have a shred of evidence.
I'm sure Yamamoto has it rough out there.
It should have been Singapore.
We missed our chance to sue for peace.
We may have been mistaken...
But still,
Yamamoto hasn't given up.
No matter what, I'm sure he's trying to somehow sue for peace...
You're right.
Yamamoto never gives up...
Over four days, they hammered our 11 battleships,
including Kongo, Haruna, Jujun, Aoba and Chokai, with 3,000 shells
and completely destroyed our airfield on Guadalcanal.
But the enemy is deploying incredible numbers of reinforcements.
It won't take them long to rebuild the airfield.
What's the condition of the Army?
Following the annihilation of the detachment that landed in August,
the 5,000 troops under Kawaguchi's command are already destroyed...
This was the Navy's plan...
We must do something, but...
What?
Excuse me.
It's been a while.
You'll be at the Naval Academy...
I hear you strongly recommended me as director of the Naval Academy.
Really?
I don't think it's right to go home to Japan at a time like this.
Inoue...
Yes.
The academy needs you now more than ever.
What?
If the worst should happen, the young must rebuild our nation.
Train the young. You can do it.
Just like you once saved the Navy...
It's in your hands.
Yes, Sir.
Our landed troops have run out of food and ammunition.
At this rate, our troops
remaining on the island will be annihilated.
The Imperial Fleet still has the Mutsu and the Nagato.
It also has this ship the Yamato, the mightiest in the world.
If we don't fire our big guns now, when do we?
But listen, Kadokura...
We should gather the full fleet for a final massive attack!
Commander Kadokura, excuse me, but we wish for that, too.
Why don't you?
- But... - But, what?
In truth...
We don't have the fuel.
We will retreat from Guadalcanal.
But the Navy has a responsibility to the Army.
We mobilise every destroyer
to rescue as many troops off Guadalcanal as we can.
I'll notify Central Command.
I'll make sure
this plan of retreat succeeds...
Commander...
In that case, allow me to escort the destroyers.
Understood.
It's in your hands.
In the three days of strategic retreat,
we rescued over 10,000 Army and Navy men.
I see.
But during his command,
Commander Kadokura was killed in battle.
Make sure his family receives his personal effects.
Yes, Sir.
From Imperial Headquarters.
In order to accomplish their mission,
the troops fighting on Guadalcanal have been transferred off the island.
Transferred?
Editor, what exactly does "transferred" mean?
It means to proceed elsewhere.
In actuality, doesn't that mean retreat?
Elite Army and Navy troops secured a strategic base on the Solomons.
Therefore, they head to New Guinea, their original goal...
What else is that but a transfer?
Chief.
The public is realising that Midway was a disastrous defeat.
Isn't our mission to convey the truth to the public?
The mission of our newspapers
is to stay ahead of the people and guide their will,
even as Japan constructs a new world order.
We report our military's glorious exploits and keep spirits high at home!
Isn't that what's needed?
Is that really
our mission?
Shindo.
Right now, every citizen,
is fighting together...
Is fighting together!
I'll finish the editorial in two hours.
Okay! We'll lead with,
"Our elite troops transfer from Guadalcanal."
Yes.
Tell the copydesk.
Yes, I will.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DRAFTEES
April, 1943.
The Imperial Fleet moved its Command to Rabaul,
to concentrate its aviator strength.
The newspaper is increasingly filled with "transfers".
One and a half years into this war,
I fear we are headed for a war of attrition,
like the war we're fighting against China.
But no one dares say it out loud.
IMPERIAL FLEET COMMAND RABAUL
SAEKI
ARIMA
YAMAGUCHI
KADOKURA
One year and four months into this war,
you've all fought hard in tough conditions.
But enemy attacks grow stronger every day.
The Imperial Fleet will now conduct its final battle.
First, we'll consolidate the Rabaul-based air squadrons
with all the aircraft carriers in the Third Fleet.
Then we'll annihilate the enemy aviators
deployed in the Solomon-New Guinea area.
After that...
We'll immediately reduce our front line.
Are we transferring?
No, it's a retreat.
Words must be used accurately.
We pull back to the Marianas.
We use Guam and Saipan as an unsinkable carrier
and fight our final air battle.
With that victory,
we sue for peace...
However, if we retreat our front line,
the enemy will launch an all-out attack there.
I didn't say we pull back everything.
We'll keep the front line bases until the rear is prepared.
What about the troops...
Yes, they'll be sacrificed.
It's the final battle, to sue for peace.
Okay, return to base!
Roger!
Mother...
Today, the Igo Plan has ended.
It was a rare victory. We can now head to the Marianas.
Yes.
Commander.
Lt. Makino died in combat.
I see...
Makino's gone, too...
Chief of Staff,
I'll inspect the front lines on the 18th, too.
No, there are daily enemy attacks on those bases.
You cannot accompany us there.
Mine may be an ugly face,
but the troops are happy to see it.
I'm grateful.
Your humble servant
has so many of his dear men divided in this world and the next.
I both want them to welcome me there
and remain here to serve on earth a little longer...
I am of two minds, but have one body.
Come in.
Excuse me.
What's that scary look for?
Commander Ozawa is insisting
that you must not inspect the front lines.
But if you insist, he'll fly as many escort planes as you wish.
Just the usual, please.
Don't blow it out of proportion.
But, Sir...
The usual is fine.
Listen, Miyake.
Sir.
A lot of young men have died.
Japan's youth, who shoulder the future, are all dying first.
I'm an old man, still sticking around...
When I see them again,
how am I supposed to greet them?
What's a man to do...
Come in.
Excuse me.
What is it?
I've been drafted into the infantry.
I see.
Akiyama will take over the Imperial War Record.
I understand.
Thank you for everything.
Fight the good fight
for your country, Japan.
Yes.
Shindo...
I'll be off.
Hey!
You'll get malaria from the mosquitoes!
Excuse me.
Don't act so shocked.
Even I have a glass of whisky now and then.
It's the midsummer festival I burned the tip of my nose...
Hey, hey, what's that?
I memorised it.
Don't screw it up.
All right, I'll teach you the correct lyrics.
It's the midsummer festival
Time for eggplant rice pot
I burned the tip of my nose
Licking up every scrap
I burned the tip of my nose
Licking up every scrap
How dare you signal the commander's movements!
What if the enemy intercepts it?
We land at the base on Ballale in 15 minutes.
Right.
Enemy planes!
Emergency landing!
Commander!
After pondering the general trends of the world
and the actual conditions in our empire today,
we have decided to effect
a settlement of the present situation
by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
We have ordered our government
to communicate to the U. S., Great Britain, China,
and the Soviet Union, that our empire accepts
the provisions of theirjoint declaration...
Admiral Yamamoto,
it's been two years and four months since you died.
And so, the war ended in a manner
far removed from the peace you so desired.
Since the war began in Pearl Harbor,
some three million have lost their lives to it.
Over 90% of those lives
were lost after you died.
After you died on Bougainville,
there was no one left in Japan,
who could bring the war to an end.
When and how
did we go wrong?
And what did we lose?
We will abandon our past,
and create a new Japan with America.
This is our greatest mission for the future!
Okay, that's the editorial!
The answer to that
may have to wait 50 or 100 years...
Put this word "Democratize" in the biggest font!
Yes.
But that may
also be enough time for the people of our country
to forget everything.
IMPERIAL WAR RECORD
But Admiral Yamamoto,
that you, who opposed the war above all others,
were forced to light its fire...
And that you fought
all your battles to restore peace as soon as possible...
These facts, I will always remember.
WAR RECORD OF IMPERIAL JAPAN BY SHINDO
Admiral Yamamoto,
I believe we must start over by really looking at the world.
Following your words,
by opening our eyes, our ears
and our hearts.