Emperor Page #5

the war is beyond dispute.

If the Emperor were tried

for war crimes,

the governmental structure

would collapse,

and a general uprising

would be inevitable.

There would be

chaos and bloodshed.

It would take more than

a million American servicemen

to oversee the occupation

for years to come.

- Haul ass.

- Sir!

In conclusion, the people of Japan

have suffered greatly,

and it is in their interest

beyond all other considerations

that I strongly urge

allowing the Emperor

to continue on his throne

as the leader of his people.

General Fellers.

Now hear this. Now hear this.

Mine clearance is being

conducted in the harbor.

All small craft should remain

clear until further notice.

What the hell is this?

The conclusion

of my investigation, sir.

What investigation?

This is just your opinion, Fellers.

I don't see any evidence.

I have no concrete evidence, sir,

but it is what we must do.

Based on what,

your vote of confidence?

Based on the fact that we're here

to rebuild Japan,

and we will never...

I am about to make

the biggest decision of the occupation,

which will determine

the future of Japan,

and all I have is conjecture.

We will never know the extent

of the Emperor's involvement, sir.

If we had a thousand years,

we wouldn't know it.

We have to make up our minds.

I have made mine.

You want me to call

Washington and tell them,

I'm making my decision

because I trust General Fellers?

No, sir. You are making it

because there's nothing

that incriminates the Emperor, sir.

Sit down.

Sir, we promised Hirohito

that Japan would retain

the institution of the Emperor

if he surrendered,

and surrender he did.

We will never know

who started the war, General,

but we do know

who brought it to an end.

There is nothing,

absolutely nothing,

that could compromise my situation

if I were to absolve the Emperor?

There is no evidence for

nor against him, sir.

Fire in the hole!

In that case,

I want to meet him.

Meet who, sir?

This monarch in who I am

placing all of my faith.

Face to face?

That's right.

Before I call Washington,

I want to meet him,

shake his hand,

look him in the eye,

see what kind of man he is.

We can't extend

a last-minute invitation to Hirohito, sir.

I'm not extending an invitation

to anyone, Fellers, you are.

Sir.

You didn't bring me the proof,

bring me the Emperor.

Then I request

you postpone the call, sir.

We are going to meet

their deadline,

and we are going

to meet it with aplomb.

We're a full day ahead, Fellers.

Today, here and now,

is still yesterday in Washington.

His Majesty will not come.

If I may, sir,

the Emperor won't come

to headquarters,

but he might come

to MacArthurs home.

A social visit, then.

A cup of tea to save

a 2,000-year-old dynasty.

His Majesty speaks

and understands some English,

but to avoid

misunderstandings,

all communication will be

through his translator.

Sit down, Higgins.

Yes, sir.

His Majesty's image

can only be recorded

by a court-approved

photographer from a distance.

His Majesty won't eat anything

or drink anything

during the visit.

Do you think we don't know

how to show hospitality'?

Of course not,

General Supreme Commander.

Supreme Commander will do.

You must understand,

a Japanese Emperor

has never called on a foreigner,

so there are certain proprieties

I'd better make you aware of.

You may not shake

His Majesty's hand or touch him.

You must never look

His Majesty directly in the eyes.

You may not step on his shadow.

When you sit down

with His Majesty,

you have to sit on his left.

You must never call

His Majesty by his name.

I've never met an emperor before,

much less a god.

What the hell do you say to a god?

General, before you make

your final decision,

there's something you should know.

You asked if there was anything

that could

compromise your position.

It's all here.

I should have brought it

to your attention before, sir.

Oh, yeah.

General Richter did his job

with his usual thoroughness.

He brought these by

the other night.

I steered planners away from targets

to protect someone, sir.

Tell you what, Fellers...

not a single American life

was lost in this operation.

I don't see the point

in rehashing it.

And what about General Richter?

After careful consideration,

I've come to the conclusion

that General Richter

can go piss up a rope.

General Bonner Fellers.

His Majesty says that it is a privilege

to meet you, General Fellers.

He thanks you

for your service to Japan.

Please, come in.

General MacArthur

is waiting inside.

It is indeed

a pleasure to welcome

you here, Your Majesty.

Thank you.

And thank you.

We have arranged for a picture.

No, impossible.

His Maj...

His Majesty and I

and his translator

can have a talk here

while the rest of you

get acquainted in the library.

But that wasn't the plan.

Sekiya.

I come to you,

General MacArthur,

to offer myself as the one

to bear sole responsibility.

I wish that the punishment

will fall on me,

not on Japan.

I appreciate that.

Please be seated.

This has nothing to do

with punishment...

Your Majesty.

I need your help.

So let's see what we can do

to get Japan back on its feet.

Back to your hotel, sir?

We never did have

that drink, Takahashi.

Perhaps now would be

a good time.

Yes.

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