The Emperor in August (Japanese: 日本のいちばん長い日, literally "Japan's Longest Day") is a 2015 Japanese historical drama film directed by Masato Harada.[2][3] It was released on August 8, 2015.[3]

The Emperor in August
Theatrical release poster
Japanese name
Kanji日本のいちばん長い日
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnNippon'noichiban'nagaihi
Directed byMasato Harada
StarringKōji Yakusho
Masahiro Motoki
Tori Matsuzaka
Shinichi Tsutsumi
Tsutomu Yamazaki
Release date
  • August 8, 2015 (2015-08-08)
Running time
136 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office¥875 million[1]

A remake of Japan's Longest Day (1967), the film depicts the chain of command of Imperial Japan's government, military, and War Council under Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) in the immediate period before the surrender of Japan in World War II between April 1945 to 15 August 1945 (Hirohito surrender broadcast), chronicling Kantarō Suzuki's term as the Prime Minister and the final months of War Minister Korechika Anami, the Allied firebombing of Tokyo on May 25, preparations for Operation Ketsugō, the leadership's response to the Potsdam Declaration, Soviet–Japanese War and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the failed military coup intended to foil Japan's declaration of surrender.

Plot

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The film recreates the chain of historical events from April to 15 August 1945 (Hirohito surrender broadcast), which determined the further fate of Japan: the last months of the command of the armed forces of Imperial Japan and the military council under the leadership of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) in the period before surrender of Japan in World War II, the tenure of Kantarō Suzuki as Prime Minister and the last months of his tenure as Minister of War Korechika Anami, the Allied bombing of Tokyo, preparations for Operation Ketsugō, the reaction of the leadership to the Potsdam Declaration, Soviet–Japanese War and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as a failed military coup designed to thwart surrender of Japan.

Cast

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Reception

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The film grossed ¥145.48 million on its opening weekend and was number 10 at the box office.[2] It had grossed ¥875 million by August 26.[1] The film received ten Japan Academy Film Prize nominations, as well as the Blue Ribbon Award and Mainichi Film Awards.[4][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Kevin Ma (August 26, 2015). "Jurassic World tops third week at Japan b.o." Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Kevin Ma (August 12, 2015). "Jurassic World roars into Japan". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "日本のいちばん長い日(2015)". allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  4. ^ "Homegrown War Film to Take on 'Jurassic World,' 'Rogue Nation' in Japan | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  5. ^ "Japan Academy Awards: Cannes Entry 'Our Little Sister' Leads With 12 Nominations | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
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