Date: From 10.00 – 11.30 p.m., 14 August 2023
Scriptwriter: Kuramitsu Yasuko (Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi, PICU, Imawa no Kuni no Arisu Series)
Director: Ichiki Masae
Cast: Morita Go, Hashimoto Ai, Kora Kengo, Hamano Kenta, Daito Shunsuke, Fujiwara Sakura, Nakajima Ayumu, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Toyama Toshiya, Furutachi Kanji, Yasuda Ken, Kohinata Fumiyo, Mashima Hidekazu, Mizukami Koshi, Furuya Kenji, Oshinari Shugo, Kawai Aoba, Ishikawa Ren, Furuya Robin, Mizuma Ron
Synopsis: For the Japanese people, the Pacific War began with news on the radio and ended with the Emperor’s radio broadcast. Strangely enough, the announcers Wada Nobutaka (Morita Go) and Tateno Morio (Kora Kengo) were involved in both events. On 8 December 1941, Wada, who was called a genius, received the first report on the start of the war from the Imperial General Headquarters, and the up-and-coming Tateno read this forcefully and sent the people into a frenzy. After that, both men kept conveying the victories in the initial battles and lifted the nation’s fighting spirit. Their colleagues were sent one after another to broadcast stations established in occupied territories in the south to promote Japanification in those lands. Wada’s benefactor Mera Tadamaro (Yasuda Ken) was also sent to the Manila broadcast station on the front lines as a “radio warrior”. Meanwhile, a rookie announcer Mieko (Hashimoto Ai) is deprived of an opportunity to actively participate in this due to pressure from the military and the intelligence bureau who want courageous broadcasts. As the war situation deteriorates, Wada begins to express doubts about the announcements from the Imperial General Headquarters which results in intense conflicts with Tateno, who identifies himself as a national propagandist, over the way to communicate. Entrusted with live reporting on the departure of students who are bravely being sent to the front, Wada feels only anguish. But Mieko who has become his wife snaps him out of it with her scolding. Tateno also comes to know the reality of war after he is dispatched to the frontline of the Battle of Imphal. In the last stage stage of the war, American military aircraft close in on Manila after Mera finishes his last broadcast. Wada and the other announcers also face gunpoint.
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