The Sinking of Japan
The Sinking of Japan

日本沈没
Nippon Chinbotsu
Japan Sunk
Director | Shinji Higuchi |
Special Effects Director | Makoto Kamiya |
Special Effects Supervisor Co-Director |
Katsuhiro Onoe |
Original Story | Sakyo Komatsu |
Screenplay |
Izuru Narushima Masato Kato |
Music | Taro Iwashiro |
Photography | Taro Kawazu |
Art | Yasuaki Harada |
Sound | Jun Nakamura |
Editor | Hiroshi Okuda |
Special Molding | Tomo Haraguchi |
Production Companies | TBS, Toho, Sedic International, Dentsu, J-dream, SDP, MBS, Shogakukan, Mainichi Shimbun |
Release Date | July 15, 2006 |
Runtime | 135 minutes |
![]() 日本沈没 Nippon Chinbotsu Japan Sunk |
Director | Shinji Higuchi |
Special Effects Director | Makoto Kamiya |
Special Effects Supervisor Co-Director |
Katsuhiro Onoe |
Original Story | Sakyo Komatsu |
Screenplay |
Izuru Narushima Masato Kato |
Music | Taro Iwashiro |
Photography | Taro Kawazu |
Art | Yasuaki Harada |
Sound | Jun Nakamura |
Editor | Hiroshi Okuda |
Special Molding | Tomo Haraguchi |
Production Companies | TBS, Toho, Sedic International, Dentsu, J-dream, SDP, MBS, Shogakukan, Mainichi Shimbun |
Release Date | July 15, 2006 |
Runtime | 135 minutes |
Geological research following a massive earthquake reveals that Japan is in danger of slipping under the ocean due to tectonic plate activity. Initial projections predict the submersion in 50 years’ time. However, Dr. Tadokoro discovers several other phenomena at work that will bring about a more rapid submersion, in less than a single year. Tadokoro is unable to convince the government of his theories, and his equipment is appropriated for other uses.
Tadokoro’s estranged wife, Takamori, is one of the Prime Minister’s top cabinet officials. The Prime Minister himself is killed during an eruption, and Takamori must watch as the interim Prime Minister makes cold, ruthless decisions regarding the welfare of the people. Takamori appeals again to Tadokoro, who proposes a plan to place explosives under the sea and break Japan away from the sinking plate. Takamori supplies the necessary resources to put the plan into effect, racing against time as more and more natural disasters occur around Japan.
A deep sea sub descends to place the ignition fuse to light off the explosions, but the sub is destroyed in a density current and the ignition fuse is lost. Onodera, another sub pilot, offers to pilot an older deep sea sub to salvage the mission. Despite the slim chances the sub will survive the trip, Onodera insists on the opportunity to save his homeland, for the sake of his loved ones. Onodera dives in the sub and recovers the fuse. With the last of the sub’s power, he manages to place the fuse, activating the explosion sequence. The massive explosions rip the plate apart, freeing Japan from certain doom.
Top Billed Cast
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Rest of Cast Listed Alphabetically
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Top Billed Cast

Toshio Onodera

Reiko Abe

Tatsuya Yuki

Misaki Kuraki

Tamae Tanokura

Professor Fukuhara

Secretary Kyosuke Nozaki

Prime Minister Naoyuki Yamamoto

Dr. Yusuke Tadokoro

Minister Saori Takamori
Rest of Cast Listed Alphabetically

Professor Yamashiro's Son-in-Law

Dr. Cox

Shinichiro Nakata

Mover

Shizuko Hinuma

Dr. Saito

Minister of Defense

Professor Yamashiro

Yoshimi Kuraki

Minister of Justice

Nurse

Manabu Shinohara

Fukuhara's Assistant

Hiroshi Terashima

Michiko Onodera

Chief of Staff

Minister of Finance

Tatsuo Hinuma

Shiho Yuki

SDF Captain

Reiko's Grandfather

Shota Yasukawa

Reiko's Captain

Kaori Onodera

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Doctor