[National Film Archive of Japan] Announcement of Screening Program "Repatriated Film Collection (4) -- Cultural Films, Newsreels, and Animations"

Screening event poster

The National Film Archive of Japan, as the fourth installment of the "Repatriated Film Collection" project that has continued for three years since FY2023, will jointly hold the screening program "Repatriated Film Collection (4) -- Cultural Films, Newsreels, and Animations" with the Film Producers Association of Japan starting August 4 (Tue).

From the first repatriation in 1967 to the fourth in 1984, approximately 1,400 flammable film prints of Japanese films from before and during World War II, held by the U.S. Library of Congress, were returned to Japan. Among these "repatriated films," which subsequently formed the foundation of the National Film Archive's collection, were works not categorized as feature films. These included valuable cultural films, newsreels, and animated films (anime) that documented the culture, customs, and social conditions of the time, or were produced to boost morale in reflection of the political climate.

This program is a large-scale retrospective featuring 28 programs (113 films) of cultural films, newsreels, and animated films that were gradually repatriated from the U.S. Library of Congress. While some of the screened works have been individually featured in past programs, this is the first time they will be shown together as a collection.

What are "Repatriated Films"?

These are Japanese films from before and during World War II, totaling approximately 1,400 flammable film prints held by the U.S. Library of Congress, that were returned to Japan. They include films confiscated from Japanese Americans across the U.S. during the war period, feature films whose screening was banned by the Civil Information and Education Section (CIE) memorandum "Exclusion of Undemocratic Films" after the war, as well as cultural films, newsreels, and animated films (anime). The existence of these films became known in 1964, and following preliminary surveys and negotiations by both Japan and the U.S., an "Exchange of Notes" was signed on November 8, 1967. They were returned to Japan in stages, from the first repatriation in 1967 to the fourth in 1984. After subsequent difficult processing and non-flammable conversion work, they formed the foundational collection of the National Film Archive. Currently, the National Film Archive is conducting further investigations into the circumstances of the repatriation and storage of these flammable film prints, and is sequentially re-releasing the collection as the storage dates become clearer.

Highlights of This Special Feature

▼Cultural Films, Newsreels, and Animations from the 1930s and 40s by Theme

The repatriated films included a far greater number of cultural films, newsreels, and animated films than feature films. This diverse collection of works, with their varied subjects and filming locations, is a valuable record in itself. This special feature highlights the historical value of these records and the evolution of cinema by organizing works from the 1930s and 40s thematically, based on region, historical events, and ideology.

"Living in the Soil," "Across the Equator," "Bo-chan's Young Airman"

▼The Honeymoon of War and Film

Through the realism and vividness unique to the medium of moving images, films played a crucial role before and during the war. In particular, films reflected Japan's atmosphere as it moved towards war, including the Manchurian Incident, the Sino-Japanese War, and the Pacific War, with their content rapidly becoming more militaristic. Cultural films, newsreels, and animated films (anime) were especially utilized as weapons in the ideological war. On the other hand, the film industry itself actively participated in the prevailing trends and refined its propaganda techniques. Through this special feature, experience the evolution of visual language during wartime.

"Young Airmen of the Sky," "The Foundation of Victory -- Record of the Naval Academy --," "Malayan War Chronicle: Record of Advance"

▼Selection of Many Rarely Screened Films -- Some Screened for the First Time Since Repatriation

This program features numerous films that had limited opportunities for screening, broadcast, or distribution on package media, such as "8,000 Kilometers of National Defense" (1936), "The Battle of the Sea of Malaya" (1943), "Arming the Heart" (1944), "War Correspondent" (1940), and "Entertainment Front Edition" (1944). This is an extremely valuable opportunity to view films produced before and during the war that are now difficult to see, going beyond the framework of repatriated films.

"8,000 Kilometers of National Defense," "The Battle of the Sea of Malaya," "Arming the Heart"

▼To Deepen Understanding of the Screened Films

Lectures will be held: Akiko Sano (Associate Professor, Faculty of Culture and Information Science, Doshisha University) after the screening of "Selected Animated Films" on August 9 (Sun.) at 3:00 PM; Juichi Inoue (Director, National Archives of Japan, Asian Records Operations Office; Professor, Gakushuin University) after the screening of "The Deception of the 'Incident' (1)" on August 11 (Tue.) at 3:00 PM; and Takuomi Sato (Professor, Department of Journalism, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia University) after the screening of "The Role of Media" on August 15 (Sat.) at 12:00 PM. Furthermore, in cooperation with the National Archives of Japan, Asian Records Operations Office (AROO), historical materials released by AROO are linked to the screened films. These can be used as clues to gain a deeper understanding of the works and their era, including the historical background, social conditions, and reception of the films at the time.

"Shanghai War Chronicle," "Listening to the Radio Waves," "Momotaro's Sea Eagles"

Screened Films (28 Programs, Partial List)

"Gaze Towards 'Japan'".......................... "Glimpse of Japan" (1936), "Living in the Soil" (1941), etc.

"Gaze Towards 'Territory' -- South and North.............. "Okinawa Island Story: People of the Sea" (1942), etc.

"Gaze Towards 'Territory' -- Korea and Taiwan......... "White Mombetsu Line" (1941), etc.

"The Deception of the 'Incident' (1)"........................ "Dawn Light" (1938), "Shanghai War Chronicle" (1939), etc.

"The Deception of the 'Incident' (2)"........................ "Sino-Japanese Incident Rear Record: Shanghai" (1938), etc.

Manchuria: Reality and Illusion (1).............................. "8,000 Kilometers of National Defense" (1936), etc.

Manchuria: Reality and Illusion (2).............................. "The Way of the King Shines Bright" (1942), etc.

Manchuria: Reality and Illusion (3).............................. "Barga of the Grasslands" (1936), "Niangniangmiao Fair" (1940), etc.

The South (1)....................................... "Lifeline of the Seas: My South Sea Islands [Talkie Version]" (1932), etc.

The South (2)....................................... "Across the Equator" (1935), etc.

Malaya........................................... "Malayan War Chronicle: Record of Advance" (1942), etc.

Burma........................................... "Army Air War Chronicle: Burma Chapter" (1943), etc.

Imperial Historical View........................................ "Imperial Way Japan" (1939), etc.

Emergency Times........................................... "The Great Order" (1934), "Our Emergency Times" (1936), etc.

Air Defense Ideology........................................ "Protect the Skies" (1933), "Blast and Fragments" (1944), etc.

Counter-Espionage Ideology........................................ "Unarmed Enemy" (1940), "Arming the Heart" (1944), etc.

Public Health and Sanitation Ideology.................................. "Venereal Disease" (1932), "National Nutrition Policy" (1938), etc.

Images of Women.................................. "We Work Like This" (1945), etc.

Images of Children............................... "Young Airmen of the Sky" (1941), etc.

War and Animals..................................... "Silent Warriors" (1938), "War Dog Story" (1939), etc.

Training the Body.................................. "The Foundation of Victory -- Record of the Naval Academy --" (1942), etc.

The Role of Media............................... "Listening to the Radio Waves" (1935), "War Correspondent" (1940), etc.

Labor and Production..................................... "Production for Victory" (1942), etc.

Science and Ideology......................... "Invisible Form" (1935), etc.

The Joy of Entertainment..................................... "Mirror Lion Dance" (1936), "Entertainment Front Edition" (1944), etc.

Songs Echoing in the Times............................... "Song of Comrades on the Huangpu River" (1939), etc.

Selected Animated Films.................................. "Momotaro's Sea Eagles" (1942), etc.

The Road to Post-War............................... "Japan's Tragedy" (1946), etc.

Event Overview

Program Title: Repatriated Film Collection (4) -- Cultural Films, Newsreels, and Animations (English Title: Repatriated Film Collection [Part 4]: Cultural Films, Newsreels, and Animations)

Dates: August 4 (Tue) - September 6 (Sun), 2026 *Closed Mondays

Venue: National Film Archive of Japan, Small Hall [B1F]

Organizers: National Film Archive of Japan, Film Producers Association of Japan

Cooperation: National Archives of Japan, Asian Records Operations Office

Website: https://www.nfaj.go.jp/film-program/repatriated_film4_202607

Inquiries: 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)

Tickets: For details, please check the flyer or the website.