Jim Graham (Christian Bale) é um garoto de 11 anos de uma família inglesa que vive no Oriente. Jim tem um padrão de vida alto, mas de repente é separado de seus pais em virtude da China ser invadida pelo Japão. Isto o força a se defender e o obriga a crescer, tornando-se então um sobrevivente em um campo de concentração com rígidas regras.
Logo após a renúncia do Japão durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, o general Douglas MacArthur (Tommy Lee Jones) e o perito em técnicas militares no Japão, o general Bonner Fellers (Matthew Fox), têm que decidir se o imperador Hirohito deve ser condenado e enforcado como um criminoso de guerra. Enquanto discutem, Fellers lembra de seu amor por Aya, uma estudante japonesa em intercâmbio por quem ele se apaixonou, e quem adoraria reencontrar neste país destruído.
Following the detonation of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese military and the government clash over the demand from the Allies for unconditional surrender. Minister of the Army Anami leads the military officers who propose to fight on, even to the death of every Japanese citizen. Emperor Hirohito, however, joins with his ministers in asking the unthinkable, the peaceful surrender of Japan. When the military plots a coup to overthrow the Emperor's civilian government, Anami must face the choice between his desires and loyalty to his Emperor.
In July 1945, during the end of World War II, Japan is forced to accept the Potsdam Declaration. A cabinet meeting has continued through days and nights, but a decision cannot be made. The U.S. drops atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. General Korechika Anami is torn over making the proper decision and the Emperor of Japan worries about his people. Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki leads the cabinet meeting, while Chief Secretary Hisatsune Sakomizu can't do anything, but watch the meeting. At this time, Major Kenji Hatanaka and other young commissioned officers, who are against Japan surrendering, move to occupy the palace and a radio broadcasting station. The radio station is set to broadcast Emperor Hirohito reading out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.
Em 15 de agosto de 1945, os japoneses ouvem pela primeira vez a voz do seu imperador, que exorta o seu exército e o seu povo a pôr fim às hostilidades. Isso permite aos norte-americanos desembarcar nas ilhas japonesas sem encontrar resistência.
Produced by the Army Pictorial Service, Signal Corps, with the cooperation of the Army Air Forces and the United States Navy, and released by Warner Bros. for the War Activities Committee shortly after the surrender of Japan. Follow General Douglas MacArthur and his men from their exile from the Philippines in early 1942, through the signing of the instrument of surrender on the USS Missouri on September 1, 1945. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.