HISTORY . 2015 . 2h 16m . 6.4/10

The Emperor in August_

In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but a decision cannot be made. The U.S. drops atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. General Korechika Anami is torn over making the proper decision and the Emperor of Japan worries about his people. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki leads the cabinet meeting, while Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu can't do anything, but watch the meeting. At this time, Major Kenji Hatanaka and other young commissioned officers, who are against Japan surrendering, move to occupy the palace and a radio broadcasting station. The radio station is set to broadcast Emperor Hirohito reading out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.

Starring Koji Yakusho, Masahiro Motoki, Tori Matsuzaka
6.4/10
Rating
2h 16m
Runtime
2015
Year
Updated Feb 16, 2026
The Emperor in August poster

In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but a decision cannot be made. The U.S. drops atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. General Korechika Anami is torn over making the proper decision and the Emperor of Japan worries about his people. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki leads the cabinet meeting, while Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu can't do anything, but watch the meeting. At this time, Major Kenji Hatanaka and other young commissioned officers, who are against Japan surrendering, move to occupy the palace and a radio broadcasting station. The radio station is set to broadcast Emperor Hirohito reading out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.

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DROPTHE_ GOSSIP

Cast
Koji Yakusho stars as General Korechika Anami in The Emperor in August.
Koji Yakusho →
Year context
The Emperor in August was released 11 years ago in 2015.
Overview
In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but...
The Emperor in August is a History, War, Drama film with a runtime of 2h 16m.

CAST (20)

Koji Yakusho
Koji Yakusho
General Korechika Anami
Masahiro Motoki
Masahiro Motoki
Emperor Showa
Tori Matsuzaka
Tori Matsuzaka
Major Kenji Hatanaka
Shinichi Tsutsumi
Shinichi Tsutsumi
Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu
Tsutomu Yamazaki
Tsutomu Yamazaki
Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki
Kenichi Yajima
Kenichi Yajima
Naidaijin Kōichi Kido
Ikuji Nakamura
Ikuji Nakamura
Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai
Kazuhiro Yamaji
Kazuhiro Yamaji
Tōji Yasui
Akaji Maro
Akaji Maro
Admiral Hisanori Fujita
YI
Yuki Ikenobō
Empress Kōjun
Shû Nakajima
Shû Nakajima
General Hideki Tojo
Yasumasa Oba
Yasumasa Oba
Lieutenant Colonel Masataka Ida
Misako Renbutsu
Misako Renbutsu
Kimiko
Erika Toda
Erika Toda
Miss Yasuki
Kenichi Matsuyama
Kenichi Matsuyama
Takeo Sasaki
Yuko Miyamoto
Yuko Miyamoto
Takeko Hoshina
Shota Totsuka
Shota Totsuka
Captain Masayoshi Fujii
Kenzo Ryu
Kenzo Ryu
Miou Tanaka
Miou Tanaka
Kokatsu Arao
Rikiya Mifune
Rikiya Mifune
Koreaki Anami

DETAILS

Release
Status
Released
Runtime
136 min (2h 16m)
Country
Rating
6.4/10 (15 votes)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is The Emperor in August about?
In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but a decision cannot be made. The U.S. drops atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. General Korechika Anami is torn over making the proper decision and the Emperor of Japan worries about his people. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki leads the cabinet meeting, while Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu can't do anything, but watch the meeting. At this time, Major Kenji Hatanaka and other young commissioned officers, who are against Japan surrendering, move to occupy the palace and a radio broadcasting station. The radio station is set to broadcast Emperor Hirohito reading out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.
How long is The Emperor in August?
The Emperor in August has a runtime of 136 minutes (2h 16m).
Who stars in The Emperor in August?
The cast of The Emperor in August includes Koji Yakusho, Masahiro Motoki, Tori Matsuzaka, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Tsutomu Yamazaki.
What is the rating of The Emperor in August?
The Emperor in August has a rating of 6.4 out of 10 based on 15 votes on TMDB.

GENRES (3)

History War Drama
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