Antarctica--Japanese Post War Challlenge

We look today at Japan and its status as a world power that has been very innovative, but after World War II ended it was defeated and humiliated.  In the 1950's, a geologist Kuramochi spotted an opportunity with an international project to explore Antarctica. With Shirasaki they campaigned to take part.  At first they weren't given much respect by the nations that had been victorious, but persisted through a lot of resistance.

At first the Japanese government thought it a waste of limited resources and corporations were also reluctant to provide the necessary massive financing.  In the film we see young school children donated coins.  Finally the government got involved.  Some companies such as Honda and the future Sony contributed.

Building a ship was another difficulty.  They had not suitable ships but it was decided they should redesign existing ships.  One model had been sunk by Americans, but the designer agreed to re design it for the Antarctica trip.

A lot if not most of your emotional involvement will come from the dogs.  Sakhalin Island which has been reclaimed by the Soviet Union bred a unique breed known as a Sakhalin husky.   Kuramochi went to Hokkaido Island for a dog training center.  A young girl who originally refused to let go her pet, Riki who turned out to be the natural leader dog, but later realized it was critical to what she realized was a national project.

On the ship they needed exercise which intruded on the human crew.  They suffered through typhoon and rough weather,.  Their first experience on Antarctica was distracted by penguins.  Unfortunately dog fights, were not uncommon, sometimes broken up by Riki.  They also suffered injuries.  On one  notable occasion they were needed to rescue a snowmobile crew that had run out of fuel. 

In truth the Japanese ship and airplane support (and lack of experience) were inadequate to the climate and they had no choice but to leave.  With great difficult they decided they had to leave 15 dogs behind.  Hard to stomach not only for the Japanese public, but also the film viewers.  A lot of you will feel more for the dogs, but realize the humans carried a heavy burden of guilt.   

While the Japanese government argued over what to do it was about two more years before a ship was able to land to make a search the film focused on the dogs.  The dogs were individualized as we watched how they escaped from their chains and were able to find food supplies.  Most did not survive.  It is public knowledge that two, Taro and Jiro did survive.

In contrast, the Norwegian Roald Amundsen on an Antarctic expedition planned ahead to kill some of his sled dogs and in fact did so feeding the meat to his other dogs and even eating some of the meat himself.

The message from the ending was to persist.  Japan has contributed to Antarctica research that has benefited the whole world.  Perhaps more important was not to give up.  This film provides lots of obstacles that would make most reasonable people look for something else.  Japan was one of the original 12 nations that declared Antarctica to be used only for peaceful purposes.  Japan was the first nation to notice the ozone hole over Antarctica. and warned the rest of the world.  They also participated in meteorite particles that shed light on not only our planet, but the solar system.  

The cinematography for Antarctica is beautiful.  Unable to confirm if actually filmed there or with some suitable alternative.

Such a mammoth effort required top cast and crew.

Katsuo Fukazawa was the director.  He has 26 directing credits and 1 writing credit including "Good Luck" (2003).

Yoshihiro Izumi wrote the script.  He has 29 writing credits.

Takuya Kimura played Takesh Kuromoch, geologist, mountain climber and key dog handler.  He had been in a rock band SMAP and became a highly rated series star.  He has 77 acting credits.  

Kyohei Shibata played Shirasaki, rederred to as "Professor, was an advocate and manager of the Antartica project.  He once dubbed for Robert Redford in the Japanese version of "The Sting" (1980).  He has 58 acting credits.

Haruka Ayase played Miyuki, the sister in law of Takesh who had lost his wife during the war.  Their love was mostly excruciatingily unrequited.  She has 66 acting credits including "Our Little Sister" (2015).

Teruyuki Kagawa played Hoshino, a leader on the first expedition wintering crew.  He has been a boxing commentator.  He has 176 acting credits including  "Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog" (2004), "Tokyo Sonata" (2008), "Key of Life" (2012) and "Japan Sinks,:People of Hope" (2021).   See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/japan-sinks-people-of-hope-emigration.html

Masato Sakai played Himura, a government employee who first dismissed any financing to the project, but later took part in the first trip and the wintering crew.  He has 119 acting credits including "The Key of Life" (2012).

 "Antarctica" is streaming on Netflix with subtitles.  Although the dogs are heroes some may find it difficult watching their suffering.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.