The Emperor in August

This remake of Japan's Longest Day revisits the frantic final days of the war as Emperor Hirohito and his cabinet debate unconditional surrender following the atomic bombings, while hardline officers plot to prevent capitulation. War minister Korechika Anami wrestles with duty and honor as the nation stands at a historic crossroads. The film builds to the emperor's unprecedented radio broadcast.

In the days following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, Japan's Supreme Council for the Direction of the War remained divided over surrender terms until Emperor Hirohito personally intervened to break the deadlock. His radio broadcast on August 15, 1945, was the first time most Japanese citizens had heard his voice.

Like its 1967 predecessor, the film is based on Kazutoshi Hando's historical account and is considered a well-researched dramatization of the surrender debate.

Two atomic bombings and the Soviet declaration of war led to Japan's acceptance of the Potsdam terms and the end of the Second World War.

Hiroshima was bombed on 6 August and Nagasaki on 9 August, as Soviet forces invaded Manchuria. After a divided cabinet and an attempted coup by army officers on the night of 14–15 August, the Emperor's recorded broadcast was aired on 15 August. The instrument of surrender was signed aboard USS Missouri on 2 September.

Directed by Masato Harada

Cast: Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kōji Yakusho

Positioned at August 9-15, 1945 within the End of war phase of the war, as part of the Japanese surrender. This is entry 147 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Japanese surrender
• Hirohito
• Anami
• end of war
• 1945

• 

  Japan's Longest Day

  August 14-15, 1945

• 

  The Battle of Okinawa

  April-June 1945

• 

  Grave of the Fireflies

  March-September 1945

• 

  Barefoot Gen

  August 1945

• 

  The Great Raid

  January 28-30, 1945

• 

  Flags of Our Fathers

  February-March 1945