Admiral Yamamoto (連合艦隊司令長官 山本五十六)

The world is at war.

We are in the year 1939.

In Asia and Europe, the fighting fronts move quickly, threatening the entire world.

The war between Japan and China continues, unstoppable.

The Axis powers, Germany and ltaly, seek their own gains through war.

The wars in Asia and Europe threathens confrontation in the Pacific.

Everything depends on diplomatic negotiations.

The Japanese Army wants to establish a military alliance with Germany and Italy.

But in Japan, there are those who resist war, struggling to stay out of an alliance with the Axis.

Admiral Yamamto

Migata Prefecture - Kachikawa

Where are you from? Echigo, right?

Yeah, how'd you know?

Easy. I noticed the accent.

I'm visiting the graves of my family.

Really?

You're a good boatman.

How would you know?

Because I am a sailor too.

Seriously?

Been doing this long?

Yep, I've been a boatman since my first child was born 15 years ago.

You have a lot to look forward to.

Unfortunately, this will probably be the last year I can do this.

Why do you say that?

The war is becoming increasingly violent .

Do not worry about that.

Next year you will still be sailing and your children too.

We shall see.

Why? Don't you trust your own skills?

Who says I don't.

Well then let's make a bet.

What kind?

I'll stand on my hands. If I reach the shore safely then I'll pay you three times your price...

However, if I fall into the water...

You do not pay.

Exactly.

- You are a good boatman. - And you are very brave.

- You win. - No, victory is yours.

- Come on, take it - No, I won't.

- That was the bet. - No.

- I insist. - I said 'No'.

- Take it . - Never.

I'm Sergeant Eto, sir.

Corporal Suzuki, sir.

You are Isoruku Yamamoto?

To what do I owe the honor of your visit? Have I done something wrong?

We have orders to protect you, sir.

According to reports, there are some right-wing groups planning to assassinate you.

Look at this.

I got in this city of Nagaoka.

Read it to me.

Declaration: In this time of national crisis, an alliance with the Axis is essential.

You have clearly expressed on several occasions misgivings about Japan's participation

in any war or with any military alliance with Germany and Italy.

We consider you an enemy of the Emperor and a traitor.

Consequently, we must to sacrifice you, Isoroku Yamamoto, on behalf of His Majesty.

April 3, 1939 - The Sacred War Union To Deputy Minister of the Navy lsoroku Yamamoto.

Do you agree with what this says?

You should not worry about it.

Why don't you join me tonight? We'll go for a drink with some old friends of mine.

We have to go.

Come. They have some very pretty Geishas.

Tonight I have brought a few friends with me from Tokyo.

Are you in the Navy?

Yes.

Good, I love Navy officers because they are so cultured. Army officers are pigs.

Be careful, this man belongs to the Army.

God, I really screwed up.

Yamamoto, I have a question. The Japanese Navy is the best in the world, isn't it?

Well, I 'm not sure...

Our soldiers have the Japanese spirit.

Yes, but that does not mean that much. The U.S. Army has the Yankee spirit.

And the English army has the spirit of John Bull.

Both are very well prepared armies ... True?

Relax and drink some.

HOMETOWN OF YAMAMOTO - NAGAOKA

Navy Ministry

Wait.

Well well, Colonel Tsuji.

We would like to talk to you.

- Right now I have a meeting. - It will only take a moment.

Would you mind waiting in my office?

Cadet Kimura. I have brought you a letter from the Superintendent of the Military Academy.

Anything else?

Thanks to you, I managed to get into the Naval Academy. Without you, I would have never been admitted.

I wanted to thank you, sir.

- I'm sorry but I do not remember you. - I lost my parents when I was little.

My older sister supported me. But when I tried to enter the Academy, I did not have enough ...

... money for tuition. They never would have admitted such a poor student like me ...

... if you had not intervened, sir.

Yes, I remember now. So that was you?

Thank you again, sir .

No matter if you are poor or rich...

... you must become a good officer .

What are you studying?

I'm training as a pilot for the naval air forces.

Good, the war may begin soon. Take advantage of your training.

Sir, we request the Navy approve of an alliance with the Axis powers.

The Army is out of patience. We can wait no longer.

It is possible that the rightists are plotting a coup.

We must not lose the people's trust, have the country descind into chaos...

... or have a revolution.

Revolutions do not ruin a country. Wars do.

Manchuria is our lifeline.

We must remove the Soviet threat from the north.

The Russians have already attacked us there, sir.

The best way to prevent more attacks is through an alliance with Germany.

I disagree.

Why? Are you worried about the reaction of the Americans and the British?

We must stop these attacks once and for all! We must act!

What do you think, sir?

The Navy will not drag Japan into a war.

Then the Army will act alone.

The Army can cross the ocean?

Sir, I will be leaving for Germany soon.

What you should do is go to the United States.

What do you mean?

Once there, go look at their factories. There are dozens ... ...hundreds more than in Japan.

Sir, we can not wait for Germany to start a war.

Why do you have such appreciation for Germany?

Colonel Tsuji, your presence is required immediately!

Why? What happened?

Something serious!

AUGUST 23, 1939

'Germany signs non-agression pact with Russia'

'Crisis in the Cabinet'

Minister, I hope now that the the Army will reconsider its decision.

We should take advantage of the situation. This is a good time to reach a peace treaty with China ...

... and stop the war in Asia.

That will a task for our successors.

I'm afraid our jobs here are over now.

You can't say that we have aroused much sympathy here.

I have been very concerned about you being killed in a terrorist attack.

Anyway, I'm glad we're not staying here.

Me too. Very glad.

You must be tired, It has been very hard.

The same for you, Minister.

Yes ... fortunately, I have released from all my duties.

But I cannot imagine what awaits you.

Yes, I do not know if I deserve this position.

Commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet is perfect for you.

I appreciate that.

No matter who the Navy Minister and Deputy Minister are ...

... the position of the Navy will not change.

Command the fleet as you see fit.

I will.

BATTLESHIP NAGATO

Under the command of Admiral Yamamoto,

the Combined Fleet trains for war.

' Patient peace before victorious war. '

I have returned.

How are things back on land?

They long to hear voices asking for an alliance.

They won't give up easily.

The Blitzkrieg waged by Germany has left them dazzled.

I am not worried since Admiral Yonai is now Prime Minister.

There are rumors of a conspiracy to undermine his cabinet.

Why?

They'll stop at nothing to get what they want: an alliance with the Axis powers.

You, as Army Minister, seem to tolerate any action directed against the Cabinet... Explain yourself.

You are a military man. I too am a military man.

Won't you just cut to the chase and talk sincerely?

RESIGNATION

You want to resign?

I understand. Who will be your successor?

I must know who I will be dealing with.

I have no successor.

No successor? Then why resign?

In view of the current situation, the Army has decided that all cooperation with the Navy ...

- What? - ... must stop.

- You're asking me to resign? - No, not me personally.

'Yonai cabinet dismissed'

'Prince Konoye takes over'

July 15, 1940.

NAVY MINISTRY

Oikawa, the new Minister of the Imperial Navy, wanted a reconciliation with the Army.

On July 17, 1940 he convened a meeting with senior naval officers including Admiral Yamamoto.

If we continue to oppose an alliance with the Axis ...

... we will see the current cabinet dismissed as well.

That would make things even worse. It could even lead to anarchy.

We must consider the matter, gentlemen. If not, we must ask ourselves ....

... what will happen to the Imperial Navy.

So I am in favor of giving our consent to this alliance.

Mr. Minister.

I want to make it clear that I have no intention to oppose this decision.

I just want to ask you one thing.

As you know, Japan is importing raw materials from the Americans and the British.

Oil, steel, tin and rubber among other things.

If we join the Axis powers, it is to be expected that these supples will be cut off.

Do you see any alternative outcome?

Minister, answer me, please.

I understand your fears, Admiral, but this is a staff decision.

So I hope that you will understand and respect it.

You have not answered my question. What will happen to our supply of raw materials?

As I said, this decision is inevitable.

So, you have no answer?

Gentlemen, please. I urge you to approve the alliance.

Please.

We have no choice.