






Japan buried this story for 70 years. The boys who fought are finally breaking their silence.
The greatest taboo of the Battle of Okinawa were Guerrilla units composed of boy soldiers. Until now, not even the Japanese people knew the full scope of these secret troops, and survivors have been afraid to share their tragic details. Okinawa became the bulwark to protect the Japanese mainland toward the end of World War II. After the Americans landed, a violent battle ensued resulting in the loss of over 200,000 lives – many of them civilian. This documentary uncovers Japan’s deepest secrets concerning the Battle of Okinawa, and also sounds alarms about modern Japan’s recent steps toward remilitarization.
Direction
Mikami and Oya build unbearable tension through restraint.
Editing
Juxtaposition of archival silence with survivor testimony.
Director
Chie Mikami
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes