Social Entertainment / Movies

The Emperor in August

2015 · 2h 16m · History, War, Drama

In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but a decision cannot be made. The U.S. drops atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. General Korechika Anami is torn over making the proper decision and the Emperor of Japan worries about his people. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki leads the cabinet meeting, while Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu can't do anything, but watch the meeting. At this time, Major Kenji Hatanaka and other young commissioned officers, who are against Japan surrendering, move to occupy the palace and a radio broadcasting station. The radio station is set to broadcast Emperor Hirohito reading out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.

Cast

• Koji Yakusho as General Korechika Anami
• Masahiro Motoki as Emperor Showa
• Tori Matsuzaka as Major Kenji Hatanaka
• Shinichi Tsutsumi as Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu
• Tsutomu Yamazaki as Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki
• Kenichi Yajima as Naidaijin Kōichi Kido
• Ikuji Nakamura as Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai
• Kazuhiro Yamaji as Tōji Yasui
• Akaji Maro as Admiral Hisanori Fujita
• Yuki Ikenobō as Empress Kōjun
• Shû Nakajima as General Hideki Tojo
• Yasumasa Oba as Lieutenant Colonel Masataka Ida

Details

Director

Masato Harada

Released

August 8, 2015

Runtime

2h 16m

Genres

History, War, Drama

Studio

Shochiku and Asmik Ace

Status

Released

TMDB score

6.7 / 10 from 18 votes