In 1941, overpopulated Japan faces an economic boycott and its armed forces push further to the south. And despite negotiations between Japan and the U. S. A. war is declared with the attack on Pearl Harbour. Victories follow for Japan on land and sea and her forces push forward to the borders of India. But gradually the tide turns in favour of the Allies and after the atom bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan is compelled to accept the Potsdam Declaration and by the order of the Emperor agrees to unconditional surrender. Under the supervision of the occupation forces the International Military Tribunal opens in Tokyo to try the Japanese war leaders. Established in the cause of justice, and to prevent future aggressive wars the trials drag on for two and a half years. And on December 23, 1948, General Tojo and six other war leaders mount the thirteen steps to the gallows at Tokyo's Sugamo prison.
Kanjūrō Arashi | Hideki Tojo |
Minoru Takada | Prime Minister Konoe |
Masao Shimizu | Kōki Hirota |
Hiroshi Hayashi | Foreign Affairs Minister Togo |
Joji Oka | War Minister Anami |
Jōji Ōhara | Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan Kido |
Toshio Hosokawa | Ambassador Kurusu |
Toshiaki Konoe | Ambassador Nomura |
Ichirō Ryūzaki | Admiral Yamamoto |
Kōtarō Bandō | Admiral Yonai |
Takamaru Sasaki | Counsel Kiyose |
Ureo Egawa | Counsel Shimazu |