All language subtitles for Isoroku.2011.720p.BluRay.x264-WiKi-English

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.