August 15, 1945, New Dawn For Japan (1952)

Plot Summary

July 1945. War‑exhausted Japan groans under the heel of a brutal military regime. Young journalist Saeki struggles to cling to a fading sense of justice. Writer Yoshida slowly loses his convictions to the darkness of unquestioning orders. Kimiko, a young woman, bears the scars of cruelty from the cold‑hearted military police. Private Yamada has deserted the army. His wife, Ryōko, is branded a traitor's wife and relentlessly hunted. When Yamada finally reaches home, he finds his sick child Toshiko lying in bed. The military police drag him away in front of his family; a struggle ensues, and Yamada is shot dead before his wife's eyes. Hiroshima is annihilated by an atomic bomb. Rumors spread of a final decisive battle on the mainland. The people clutch bamboo spears with gaunt hands. Then August 15th arrives: Japan's defeat is laid bare before the stunned populace.

Full Cast & Characters

Eiji Okada

Reporter Saeki

Kyōko Kagawa

Kimiko Sasaki

Yatsuko Tan'ami

Tsuruko Sasaki

Kinzō Shin

Private Yamada

Hatae Kishi

Ryoko Yamada

Tokue Hanazawa

Tome-san

Akitake Kōno

Junji Yoshida

Masao Mishima

Toyama-san

Haruko Toda

Kane-san

Director & Crew

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