News Events, Japan 1946 Part 5

Description

March 22, 1946. The following scenes were recorded showing the eruption of Mount Sakaurajima which is located in the S part of of Kyushu near the city of Kagoshima. 11' Several aerial views showing volcano in eruption. 12' Several angles of the volcano as seen from the S coast road just outside Kagoshima city proper. 18.5' Several views of the volcano as seen looking across Kagoshima Bay. 16' Several views of volcanic cloud as seen when several hundred feet from base of volcano. 5' Close shot of lava. 31' Aerial view of snowclad peak of Mount Fuji. Several angles, LS and CU of rim area. 18' Several general views of Tokyo as seen when looking S at Diet Building. Mount Fuji in far background. 95' May Day Demonstration, May 1, 1946. Half a million laborers, agrarians, and white collar workers demonstrated before the gates of the Imperial Palace and later marched throughout the streets of Tokyo in the largest and most peaceful May Day celebration in Japanese history. Light rain and stiff cool winds failed to alter the carnival air of the demonstrators, which started 10:00 AM with speeches in Imperial Park. This was another first in Japanese history, since the people had never before been allowed to demonstrate on the Emperor's grounds. Speakers called for united workers front to take over the government. The weather was extremely bad for color, however the historic incident could not pass without a few feet of color. The long shots were taken from atop the Meiji building. The roll closes with a series of shots showing the gay mood of the marchers. May 19, 1946. More than 150,000 singing and shouting workers demonstrated for increased food allotments and political readjustments before the Emperor's Palace. This is the second laborer demonstration in Tokyo this month. The demands of the demonstrators were for emergency rice and other food supplies to Japan to be handled by civilian organizations and that the labor be given increased control over Japan's industrial production management. The banner carrying crowd started assembling at many areas and marched singing through the streets carrying many banners which expressed opposition to a "Conservative Reactionary Cabinet". Huge red flags, some with the hammer and sickle, fluttered near the speaker's stand which consisted of a series of four large trucks, this make-shift stand was placed only a few hundred yards from the entrance to the Palace. The following series of shots were taken from atop the Meiji building which overlooks the Palace grounds. The scenes show the massed numbers of demonstrators and the red flags. The number of red flags does not mean it was entirely a Russian-inspired demonstration. First Lt. D.A. McGovern was informed that all the Union or worker's organizations have as their standards a red flag with the name or number of the union. The small amount of Communist flags were indeed hardly noticeable. 17' LS Pan L to R as seen from atop the roof of Meiji building looking at Imperial Palace grounds showing the demonstration gathered in front of the Palace. First take a false start, second OK. 10' LS Same as above, closer shot. 10' LS Same as above, pan from R to L. 10' LS Same as above, demonstrators by long columns march toward speaker's stand. 25' LS Same as above. Stationary shot. Imperial Palace. Slow pan shot downwards to show demonstrators below. This is followed by a pan R to L to show the thousands of demonstrators. 15' LS Extreme wide angle shot to give an overall view of area and demonstrators, followed by a closer shot of same. 5' MLS Showing the speaker at the makeshift stand. The speaker is Mr. Kenichi Ito, Kanto District Trade Union. (slight edge fog). 5' MCU Same as above (slight edge fog). 22' MS Pan down along the L section of the speakers for a study of the spectators and their emotional reaction. 5' MC Stationary shot of a group of red bandanas on the heads of girls. 9' MC Several shots of a group sitting on the ground listening to speaker. 6' To the L of the speaker's stand was a group of white clad Red Cross Japanese nurses. 19' A speaker, Mr. Yoshira II. Also different shots of spectators. 9' A speaker and the most important one there. He is a congressman representing the Socialists party. This shot was given a longer run for the possible incorporation of a sound track. 16' Two speakers, Mr. Kyuschi Tokuda, Communist congressman, and Mr. Shingoro Shimagami, Chairman. 50' Group of workers listening to the speaker (several cuts), also shots of workers eating their lunch. 25' MS Group of demonstrators singing "Song of the Red Flag". Several cuts and angles. 7' The speakers on the stand direct the singing. 3' Group shots here and there of demonstrators singing. 98' The demonstrators have now left the assembly area and are marching, some at a trot ot run, all in tempo or to a rhythm that sounded like "onto" "onto" "onto" or as they say in Japanese "Wasshoi" "Wasshoi". The scenes consist of the following action: a. Workers from Sunamachi Steel Works. b. Workers marching in circles and move towards camera. c. Group of demonstrators having a pep meeting. d. Workers sitting on ground listening to speaker who is on top of police box. e. Workers waving red flags while singing "The May Day Song". f. Climax of the whole demonstration, workers wave red flags, others wave hands in the air shouting "Banzai" "Banzai" "Banzai". Note: Sound recording of speakers, demonstrators, songs, "Banzai", "The May Day Song" and "Song of the Red Flag" are available. See sound recording and effects on this project. 25' June 1, 1946. Showing Count Otani's family in their garden. Mrs. Otani is the sister of the Empress of Japan. Three sons and two daughters and a baby make up the Otani's family. The picture was taken at their beautiful garden in Kyoto. Count Otani is the head priest of Higashi Honganji Temple. April 9, 1946. 3' MLS Street rally held in Hiroshima. Candidate represents Hiroshima Prefecture and is electioneering for the Diet. 9' MLS Pan R to L shows large crowd listening to speaker. 5' MS The speaker and the crowds. 5' MC Several quick cuts showing the faces of listeners. 5' MC Low angle shot of the speaker. 5' MS CU Misc. shots showing faces of the listeners. 8' MS Pan R to L. Speakers back to camera. Crowds in front of speaker. 7' MS CU Misc. shots of spectators and listeners. 6' CU Low angle shot of speaker Mr. Hisao Yamamoto, a member of the Japanese Free Party (Nippon Jiju To). He speaks to the people about the policies of his party and begs the men and women to vote for him. 9' MC Same as above, different angle. 6' Same as above, closer angle as he speaks into microphone. 5' CU Spectators and listeners facial reaction to speaker. 29' April 10, 1946. A series of quick cuts showing Japanese women voting for the first time in Japan. Scenes consist of quick cuts of voter booth. Girl writes her name on ballot and walks out of booth. Voters drop ballot into slot on ballot box. CU Of the yellow pine ballot box under heavy padlock. Note: Above scenes were recorded under great difficulty due to power generator trouble - light source poor. 26' February 11, 1946. A series of shots showing a group of American GIs grouped around a bunch of Japanese girls. Also several quick shots showing young Japanese boys carrying the GIs duffle bags. Above scene recorded in Oita, Japan. 28' November 1945. A series of long telephoto close up shots showing a group of American GIs playing Romeao to a few Japanese maidens. Scenes were recorded from seventh floor window of the Meji building, Tokyo. Action takes place in top of the outer moat wall of the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo.

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities