A film titled 'Road to democracy' shows Japanese soldiers marching and attacking Pearl Harbor. Reconstruction being carried amidst ruins in Hiroshima. General MacArthur comes out from a building and salutes as Japanese look on. Japanese war crime trials being conducted. Japanese war equipment being scrapped and melted in furnaces. Emperor Hirohito visits patients and children. People campaign for elections using banners. Women vote for the first time in the elections.
The war crimes trial in Tokyo, Japan after World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo answers questions put up by the U.S. government. Officials seated in the court room. The U.S. government and the high command decisions on the Japanese-American negotiations. Discussion about the proposals given to Japan.
Newly elected members of National Assembly of Japan in a meeting. Members of the House of Representatives wear a button on their collars. Ancient assembly Diet in session. Japanese in a procession to mark the new civil rights celebrations. A judicial trial at a court room is seen. Disestablishment of Shinto religion and people of different religions pray at their places of worship. Japanese children being taught in classroom under a new democratic educational system. Free press in the country, newspapers being printed and sold.
The chief of communicable disease along with other officers works on a plan to control the spread of typhoid in Japan. DDT disinfectant being sprayed in a house and a patient being carried to hospital. Doctor explains the importance of public health to people on street. Japanese stand in queue to be sprayed with DDT powder. People line up to get rationed food under public distribution system. Japanese women shop for clothes. Reconstruction work in progress at factories and a church.
Civilians gather in a square for a rally in Japan. A large crowd of civilians gather during the rally. They hold banners. A woman reads, from a long scroll, to the the crowd .Then a man addresses the crowd, and finishes by leading them in three cheers. The rally moves through the streets. Trees seen on either side of the streets. The rally proceeds. Mountains seen in the background.
Tavenner at lectern giving final summation of the war crimes trial of Japanese defendants in Tokyo, Japan, after World War 2. Judges filing out of courtroom at end of the day. Defendants filing out of court. Spectators leaving court.