Japan Sinks
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Japan Sinks
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| Episodes: | 26 |
| Year: | 1974-1975 |
| Country: | Japan |
| Seasons: | 1 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 26 |
| Category: | Armageddon |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | Toho/TBS |
| Creator: | Sakyo Komatsu (based on his novel) |
| Run Time (mins): | 45 |
| Language: | Japanese |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | |
Summary
Toshio Onodera (Murano) is a mini‑submarine pilot assigned to conduct an observational dive near the base of Mount Fuji. His departure is delayed by the demanding behaviour of his client, Dr. Tadokoro (Kobayashi). During the expedition, Toshio and the crew detect unusual fissures in the seabed off Izu, shortly before the region is struck by a significant earthquake. Toshio’s fiancée, Etsuko (Mariko Mochizuki), located near the epicentre on land, is killed when a building collapses, leaving Toshio grief‑stricken and convinced, without clear reason, that he bears personal responsibility for her death.
A subsequent earthquake in the Himeji region alarms the scientific community. Although seismic activity is common in Japan, Himeji has historically been free of earthquakes, and recent disturbances have already caused an entire island to sink beneath the ocean. Further investigations conducted with Toshio’s submarine lead Tadokoro to conclude that these anomalies indicate a catastrophic geological shift capable of submerging the entirety of Japan.
Tadokoro’s warnings are initially dismissed, but he persuades Toshio of the gravity of the situation by taking the vessel below crush depth to observe additional phenomena. Upon returning to Tokyo, Toshio meets Reiko (Yumi), a wealthy socialite, and appears to begin rebuilding his life and forming a new romantic attachment. Nevertheless, Tadokoro’s prediction remains unchanged: Japan is on the verge of sinking, and the only uncertainty is how much time remains.
The narrative explores the national response to this impending disaster. While some citizens refuse to abandon their homeland, others participate in urgent diplomatic efforts to secure refuge for millions of potential evacuees. Meanwhile, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural catastrophes escalate in frequency, each week bringing new destruction as the country confronts the possibility of its complete disappearance.
Cast
Dr. Tadokoro KEIJU KOBAYASHI, Toshio Onodera TAKENORI MURANO, Reiko KAORU YUMI, Nakada Kazunari TOSHIO KUROSAWA, Yoshinaga Nobuhiko TOSHIYUKI HOSOKAWA, Yoshimura Hideo NOBORU NAKATANI, Tatsuno KUNIE TANAKA, ASAO UCHIDA, Official Nozue KENJI SAHARA, ISAMU HASHIMOTO, NOBUTO OKAMOTO, AYAKO SAWADA, Etsuko MARIKO MOCHIZUKI.
aka: Nihon Chinbotsu , Sinking of Japan
Tags: Armageddon, Japan, 1974, Japanese
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