Look down.
Now, don't look at the camera.
After the charges are read, you'll be advised of your right to remain silent,
after that... Right here, right here.
Let's rehearse.
I ask the defendant,
are there any errors of fact in the prosecutor's charges?
Please, Minoru!
On the bridge, I didn't fight with Kawabata-san
or touch her hands.
She lost her...
She lost her balance and slipped and fell.
Takeru, I'm asking you again.
Are you sure you didn't see anything?
Why?
I have this feeling
you could see the bridge from where you stood.
If I had, I'd have told you.
Didn't you hear strange voices or anything at all?
The river rapids were too loud.
You couldn't hear a thing...
I'm sure I'd notice something like that.
All right, then.
You'll say that on the witness stand, right?
Yeah, I'll say it.
The new guy they've hired was a classmate of Yohei's.
The kid's alarmingly stupid and fat.
Yohei freaked out.
Dad's calming Yohei down, saying "It's only until Minoru gets back."
Say, have you seen Uncle?
Yeah.
He says it's perfect. Once the trail starts, it's our game.
You can tell the truth, all right?
I'm sure Uncle's filled you in...
Huh?
Even with his bifocals, he's like...
Uncle sure has aged.
How he'll manage a trial when he can't even read.
No way.
No, no, he's at the top of his game.
You know, I've never liked him.
Takeru.
What'll happen if they find me guilty.
Idiot, they won't. How can you say that?
Don't get all worked up.
I just wondered what would become of you.
Don't be so negative.
Negative? Not at all.
Listen, Takeru,
I'm glad I confessed.
What's that supposed to mean?
Do you have any idea how it would be
to live in that small town, branded as the man who killed his childhood friend?
What are you talking about?
They all know who you are.
It'll go right back to normal.
They'll welcome you back warmly.
It's strange to hear you call
that town "warm."
What's the difference, spending my life at the gas station or behind these bars?
At least here, I don't have to bow to stupid customers.
That punk. I got it out of my system.
I should've bashed his head in while I was at it.
Don't talk like that.
Why not? It's just the sort of thing you're always saying.
It's a meaningless life anyway.
That's not true.
What are you saying?
You're impressive.
I could never do it.
My life is always about running away.
From a meaningless life, right?
Your life is wonderful.
You do work only you can do,
meet lots of people, make lots of money.
Look at me.
My work's boring, girls never give me a second look,
at home, I cook, do the laundry and get to enjoy Dad's lectures.
Now, on top of that, I'm a murderer. How bad is that?
Cut it out. That's not true.
Yes, it is.
What's not true?
Why did it have to turn out this way?
I really don't get it.
There's not a single good thing.
Why? Why are you and I so different?
You're not wrong.
I know that, you asshole!
I'm the only one! I'm the only one! This!
The interview is over. Please leave.
So, let's get you out of here. I'll get you out.
The facts of the indictment.
"On October 2, 2005, at approximately 2 P.M.,
"on the suspension bridge over the Hasumi River in Hikawa,
"the defendant placed his hand on the shoulder of Kawabata Chieko, then 28, in order to steady her.
"When she rebuffed him bluntly, the angry defendant
"did with murderous intent grab her and push her,
"forcing her to fall between the bridge slats and the ripped bridge cable,
"hurling her into the Hasumi River below.
"Therefore, in said place, the defendant did murder the deceased by drowning."
The charge is Murder under Penal Code 199.
We ask the court to deliberate these charges.
I ask the defendant,
are there any errors of fact in the prosecutor's charges?
On the bridge...
Kawabata-san started to run
and the bridge swayed hard.
I thought she was in danger...
I wish I hadn't placed my hand on her.
She raised...
her voice alarmingly and shoved my hand aside...
I never expected her to treat me that way.
Instinctively... it sounds terrible,
but out of resentment, I pushed her.
So you don't contest the prosecutor's account of events?
That's when Kawabata-san staggered
and landed on her backside on the bridge.
I regained my senses...
and reached out,
to help her to her feet...
In other words,
you claim that you did not push the victim off the bridge?
I did not... push her off.
But at first,
I was afraid that people would believe
I was guilty if I even said anything
about shoving her.
So I lied
and said that she slipped.
Still...
If I...
If I hadn't been there...
She'd be alive today.
When her death was declared an accident
and nobody accused me of anything,
it was really unbearable.
Afterwards, when I went to the police
about another matter and I told the officer,
"It was my fault," I finally felt alive again.
But um...
Thinking it over later, calmly,
I realized very clearly
that what actually happened and what I told him happened
are two completely different things.
Takeru.
Please return this to your father.
He probably can't re-use a dead person's uniform,
but I can't keep it around the house.
Do you mind?
Thank you for taking the trouble.
Well, then.
See you.
Um, Ma'am.
Are you all right?
The child has high school exams.
The factory's cut employees, so we're crazy busy.
I don't have a moment to spare.
Takeru.
What did Chieko do to deserve being murdered?
Can you tell me?
What your brother's thinking?
Oh well, that's how it is with brothers, right?
See you in Tokyo.
Registered Mail - Cash Sender - Hayakawa Isamu
When she fell on her backside like this,
what did you say to her?
I think I just said, "I'm sorry."
Only once?
No, I apologized several times.
And then you reached out your hand.
Was that for another shove?
No, I wanted to help her up.
I even said, "Hold on."
In other words, you clearly conveyed,
with a change of attitude,
that you would not repeat your rough action.
I thought I did.
But Chieko backed away from you.
Yes.
Using that diagram, show us how far away she moved.
To this spot, "B."
What happened when she reached point "B"?
She suddenly seemed to flip.
What do you mean "Suddenly"?
How soon after she reached "B"?
Immediately, like a reflex.
Like that.
It was like she suddenly fell to her back...
Well, do excuse me. My, what a shock.
I'm sure you were shocked, too.
And what did you do?
I leaned forward and tried to grab her arm.
For what purpose?
What...?
For what purpose did you attempt to grab her arm?
I thought I could save her.
If only I'd grasped her arm...
You did everything in your power
to prevent her descent?
Yes, I think I did.
That's all.
The prosecution may proceed.
You said you reached out your hand to help her.
Yes.
You didn't imagine the opposite effect?
I mean,
here's a man who has just shoved her violently, suddenly cooing at her, reaching out to her.
Don't tell me you claim that you thought
she'd turn around and say, "Oh, my, you're so kind."
When she fell on her backside, she screamed in pain, right?
Yes.
She landed on an exposed flooring screw.
Even through her clothes, it caused a serious internal hemorrhage.
I bet that hurt even after she died.
An archer could mistake it for a target and shoot it.
Don't you think anyone would dread the person who caused that?
I think... you're right.
You say you apologized, with a mere "Sorry."
"I've reformed, I won't do it again," are convenient excuses for the perpetrator.
But it's hardly sufficient
for the wounded party to overcome her terror.
And you couldn't even imagine that.
That must mean you're unbelievably dumb about other peoples' feelings.
Is that your opinion?
Excuse me, I've let my emotions carry me. I withdraw.
Tell me.
You knew all along she'd back away in terror and fall
into the river.
That's hardly a retraction.
Objection! Your Honor!
Prosecutor, your opinion?
I consider the objection unfounded.
Objection sustained. Please rephrase the question.
Suppose...
that Chieko-san had fallen on the bridge on her own,
would she have cowered at your outstretched hand?
But in fact,
she fell on the bridge because you shoved her.
After that, your extended hand
might seem to threaten a mortal blow, right?
Tell me.
Didn't you corner her, with just that in mind?
Eat your noodles.
You eat them. I ordered too much.
No, you should eat them. You'll lose your strength.
I'm not going back.
What?
I can't stand to see Minoru's face.
Making a laughingstock out of him.
He didn't mean any harm.
Maybe it's best that you don't.
That's what it means to stand trial.
Both my opponent and I
have to strip the defendant naked in order to win.
Do you have to call him "Defendant" in his own home?
What'll happen to Minoru?
I still can't tell. Bear with it.
You don't have any conviction? Aren't you a professional?
I can have convictions, but his own testimony could overturn them.
I wish my convictions could produce evidence.
What the hell is your job, then?
Can't you for once help us?
You know full well the burden I've borne for your self-indulgence.
And you've reaped your share of benefits from it, too.
If you think I'm the only beneficiary,
that's a failure of your own self-victimized imagination.
Uncle.
I've had it.
I'd better go home, Takeru.
But it's...
I'll find a way. I'd better go.
Fine, go home!
See?
Why? You should stay here.
I'll be fine. Sorry. I should never have come here.
Stop! You should stay over!
What's wrong with you, Dad!
Save your family fights for when we can afford them.
Up early.
Yeah, where's Uncle?
Headed out.
After gobbling 3 bowls of rice for breakfast.
Asked you to call him.
Chieko's mother gave it back.
She didn't say a word. It was just in the package.
Let's offer prayers at her family altar. I'll go with you.
Take an offering of something Chieko liked.
Maybe like a bottle of sake. I'm not really sure...
Offer her sake, and she'll come back to haunt you.
What?
Chieko couldn't even drink a little glass of beer.
Just like you.
I couldn't believe it.
I wished it was just a dream.
My whole family was in shock.
But on that bridge,
when you steadied her because she was in danger,
why did Chieko reject you?
What did she say to you, exactly?
Tell me if you remember.
"No, don't touch me."
What? One more time.
"Don't touch me."
Did you steady her breast or her backside?
No, her shoulder.
You steadied her shoulder, and she took that tone?
Won't you tell me honestly?
When she took that tone, asking you not to touch her, how did you feel?
How can I say...
I guess she just
found me physically repulsive...
I thought she must really hate me.
I felt wretched.
Had anything like that ever happened before?
No, never.
What made Chieko-san react that way?
That...
I don't know.
That's all.
You may proceed, Prosecutor.
Physical repulsion in women can be really tricky.
I often stumble over that one myself.
By the way, you're single?
Yes.
You're 35. Do you have any plans for marriage?
No.
Had you ever considered Chieko-san in that way?
She was also single, approaching her 29th birthday, right?
Not to put too fine a point on it,
but in these parts, she was of an age to get hitched, right?
Day in, day out, you worked side by side with her.
You were almost family.
She was an upstanding person, did you consider her for a wife?
Isn't that how everyone else saw it?
That would really have been up to Kawabata-san...
I'm asking what you thought.
Did you have feelings for her?
Spit it out.
Well...
Yes.
Romantic feelings?
Yes.
Did you confess your love?
Why not?
I'm not very popular with women.
I thought if she rejected me, it would be awkward at work.
But you could have kept at it.
You two got along, right?
Yes, but...
But you just weren't confident.
Getting along and being in love aren't the same thing.
Hey, if there was someone guaranteed to instantly fall in love with me,
I'd be on that train.
Have some confidence!
So, now, turning to Exhibit #17, the victim's autopsy report.
Unrelated to cause of death, victim's vagina contained traces of semen,
estimated to date from one day prior to the accident.
Further DNA analysis of this semen
determined that the semen was not the defendant's.
In other words, one day prior to the accident, the victim
probably had sexual relations with a man other than the defendant.
Defendant, I'd like to know, were you aware of her partner?
Wasn't the real reason you couldn't reveal your feelings
that you knew she was already involved with another man?
What's the deal?
Didn't you know and feel jealous?
Weren't you seething with resentment?
Furthermore, didn't your attitude
put her under pressure about the romantic partner of her choice?
What's up?
Talk to me.
Hurts...
How dare you!
I'm sick of you! I'm going to Tokyo with him!
Takeru said I should make a new life for myself.
He's lying.
He's lying!
He's tricking you! I swear he's tricking you!
Cut it out! I don't want to live my life like my mother and you!
I'm sorry.
Oh, I didn't know.
What did you say?
I had no idea...
she had someone.
If she had a lover,
then I've done irreparable harm...
to that person, as well...
No, no, that's not what I mean. How could you miss that?
You were together every day...
I'm so terribly sorry.
What's this about? It's not over yet!
Let's enjoy ourselves. This is a gift from me.
Please do your best, sir.
This is terrific.
Of course I'll do my best.
It's the family gas station, after all.
Besides, we can't let you take it over!
Brother,
realistically, how much longer will it take?
Ultimately, they have no conclusive evidence, either.
Without that, they'll have to fold.
So, at the next session...
Takeru, you'll get up on that witness stand
and you'll say, "My brother is a blah-blah-blah, a man of character,
"who provided Chieko-san
"with concern and tenderness, etc., etc., etc."
That's all you'll have to do and...
"Victory"?
No, no, we're just looking for, "Innocent."
Now, now, young folks, no need to be in such a hurry.
How's the part-timer getting along?
Wonder if Dad'll fire him when I get back.
That's not fair, is it?
If I win, I think I'll blow my savings on redecorating the station.
Paint it in bright colors.
Get rid of that gloomy atmosphere.
Make it self-service at night and fuller service during the day.
And turn the inside into sort of a café.
Play some bossa novas...
You know lots of designers, don't you?
Can you ask one of them to handle it?
Do it right.
Say...
I know, we'll show your photos. In huge frames. It'll be really cool.
I said, say...
Yeah.
I want you to tell me.
Yeah, what?
Why'd you cross the bridge?
Hey,
weren't you there when I testified in court?
We're not in court here.
Like I said, after you crossed,
Chie insisted on crossing too,
and I told her it was dangerous alone.
We're talking me.
Chieko was really nagging you, right?
"I hate that depressing gas station. Run away with me, Takeru!"
Or something pushy like that.
Gotta be kidding, right? Couldn't let a girl like that tie you down.
So I invited her.
Actually, I'm not scared of that hanging bridge.
It freaked Chieko out, but I told her it wasn't as scary as it looked.
Told her you might be waiting for her.
Then she said she'd go. A good one, right?
Cut it out! Don't blame me.
Just kidding.
Kidding, kidding, kidding...
Of course that's a lie.
I'm not going to volunteer to go up there...
Cut the crap!
Tell me the truth, the truth!
I've been telling you!
The truth... Let it go.
Let what go?
I mean, do you believe in the truth of my innocence?
No, right?
What the hell? What are you saying?
You just don't want to be the brother of a killer.
Why the...
I can't believe it!
You can believe whatever you want.
Just hold on.
Why... should I doubt my older brother?
Don't ask me.
Cut the crap, I've had it!
Excuse me, I'm...
Hey, wait! Why won't you agree with me?
Why don't you say, "I know you'd never doubt me"!
You always doubt everyone,
never trusted anyone, no matter what.
That's the Takeru I know.
God dammit!
Let's go.
"I swear
"to tell the truth according to my conscience,
"concealing nothing,
"and to speak no falsehoods. This I do swear."
Witness,
Hayakawa Takeru.
How are you related to the defendant?
We're brothers.
I'm the younger.
On the day of the accident,
did you notice anything unusual about your brother?
What was he usually like?
My brother
was very dedicated and kind.
He was a very honest person.
I am... someone with nothing to be proud of.
But my brother was different.
He was the one person I could trust,
the one person I was connected to.
But that all changed.
He'd never been capable of such devious lies.
When are you talking about?
What lies are you referring to?
My brother's testimony in court.
In court?
What, specifically are you referring to?
What proof do you have to determine that he lied?
Until now, I've acted like I knew nothing.
Because I wanted to protect my brother.
And in doing so, I protected myself, too.
But I'm sick of it.
If by telling my story,
I tear both of us apart
and we both end up leading pathetic lives,
I'll stake my life
to tell the real truth.
Because I want
my real brother back.
Please answer my question.
If you don't intend to answer, fine. That's all.
What do you mean by "His devious lies"?
It's not important. He's confused.
Counsel, please withdraw.
What is this "Truth" you refer to?
I...
I watched my brother
close in on Chieko-san on that hanging bridge.
They struggled on the swaying bridge.
Then she...
My brother pushed her off the bridge.
I saw her scream as she fell.
I saw everything.
How the hell dare you spout such bullshit!
You told me over and over you didn't know!
Calm down, Counsel.
Where?
Explain where you saw all this!
Counsel!
Witness.
Are you certain your memory is accurate?
It's as I swore earlier.
Yes, I understand.
Thank you for calling.
Seven years later
No, no, I swear it's true.
I don't like to brag about my work, but these are really terrific.
Sometimes, I run across pictures I'd completely forgotten I'd taken,
that I might have taken as a student, but sometimes they're pretty good.
Oh no... I'm so disorganized. Excuse me a moment.
Been a while.
Oh.
Do you remember me?
Won't you say "Good evening" to him?
You have to say, "Good evening."
We drove down to celebrate my mother-in-law's 60th birthday nearby.
The traffic was awful. The kid was crying, couldn't eat...
Rie, will you ask him if he wants seconds...
Do you want seconds?
Yes, please.
Rie, you're so sweet. Have my broccoli.
Oh, how nice.
No, no!
It's on your plate now.
That's 3,382 Yen.
He's done, Minoru-san.
It's tomorrow. We received a notice.
Takeru-san...
Please, look after him.
The truth is, recently...
your dad's been a little... Maybe it's his age...
Losing his marbles?
It may not be about that...
No one's visited Minoru-san these past 6 months.
If I were family, I'd go, but...
I don't even know if he's planning to come back.
Yohei, there's no way I can...
I don't think he'll go back.
He can't go back.
But either way, there's nothing I can do about it.
But he's your brother, Takeru-san.
He's not my brother anymore.
I'm sure he feels the same.
It just feels better that way, right?
I don't understand.
Takeru-san,
back then, you said you were doing it to get your brother back.
That's why you had him locked up, right?
I can't understand it.
If it were my brother, I never could.
I can't believe what you did was right.
You came to tell me that?
Please bring him back to me and his father.
Look.
We're going.
You've stolen everything, forever?
What exactly did you gain?
Memories of Hasumi Gorge, 1980.
It is clear to everyone.
I stole to the end, and my brother was lost.
But even as time flows, always fleeting and fickle,
one thing is true. It was I who had slipped from the slender floorboard
of that perilous, yet well-anchored hanging bridge between us.
Now, I can see it all so clearly.
Can crumbling wood be restored,
can corroded handrails prevail?
I wonder
if that bridge survived.
Yohei, my car won't go any further.
Let's take the truck.
Do you know where he went?
I really don't.
Guess he headed home. We just missed him.
Want to call home?
Your dad should be there.
No, let's leave it be.
Let's go.
Hey, Yohei, can you stop?
Brother!
Let's go home!
Staring idly at the passing cars,
It seems the sun is going to set
Gently swaying, the red sun sinks
Don't worry, the dark of night
will hold you tenderly
Step by step, let's go home
Step by step, go home slow