Fulbright Program in Japan. Men talk in a room. A man shows documents to other man. Animated pie diagram shows some figures. Man shows a form with a photograph pasted on it. He shows another form with photograph of a woman.
Japanese Emperor Hirohito moves into his new house in Japan. Interior of the house. The Japanese Emperor arrives near a building with his family members. They walk near the house. The Imperial Palace of Hirohito was destroyed during World War II air raids.
U.S. Marines disembark from USS Bayfield (APA-33) during amphibious exercises in Okinawa, Japan. A crewman tends to the winch on the deck of USS Bayfield (APA-33). A I-JV telephone talker and a BM (Boatswain's Mate) on the deck of the ship. A crewman at the controls lowers down an LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) from the ship. Members of the crew handle lines. The BM gives a signal. The marines disembark from the ship onto the LCVP. The marines climb down cargo nets and onto the LCVP. The marines in LCVP head for the beach. USS Bayfield in the background. A coxswain in one of the landing craft.
General of the Imperial Japanese Army Baron Sadao Araki narrates the film. Japanese flag is seen behind Baron Sadao Araki. Aerial view of clouds. Smoke emanates from volcanoes in Japan. Ripples being made in a lake or pond. A map of Japan. View of a Japanese waterfall. Trees grow on rocky cliffs by a river. View of the summit of Takachiho in the Kirishima Mountains (霧島山, Kirishima-yama) in Kyushu, Japan. Rice grows in a rice field in Japan. A print of the enthronement of Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan. View of the Entrance to the Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮, Ise Jingū 1 Ujitachicho, Ise, Mie 516-0023, Japan). People crossing a traditional Japanese bridge. View of the two giant “married couple rocks” (Meoto Iwa 夫婦岩575 Futamichoe, Ise, Mie 519-0602, Japan) that are joined by a Shimenawa rice-straw rope in Futami, Mie, Japan. View of the Kashihara Jingu Shrine (橿原神宮934 Kumecho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8550, Japan) in Nara, Japan. View of the Torii gate at Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮, Atsuta-jingū 1 Chome-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585, Japan) in Nagoya, Japan. Torii gate of the Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan) in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. View of the Nijubashi Bridge inside the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds (1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan). View of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881, Japan) in preparation for the coronation of Emperor Hirohito. Banzai banners decorate the imperial palace. Japanese archers in traditional garb, carrying their bows. Emperor Hirohito’s procession makes its way to his coronation in Kyoto. Two 18th Century coaches bearing the Imperial Seal of Japan, also known as the Chrysanthemum Flower Seal (菊紋, kikumon) head the procession, accompanied by a mounted honor guard. Also in the procession is the Kashikodokoro (enshrining the Imperial Regalia) being carried by young men from the village of Yase, near Kyoto.
Riots in cities and uneasy conditions in parliament due to the Japanese-US defense pact. A large crowd demonstrates violently against the Japanese-US defense pact. Fight inside the Japanese parliament and Members of Parliament forcefully drag the old speaker on his chair and make him announce the approval of pact. U.S. President Dwight D Eisenhower cancels his visit to Japan. Socialist leader Asanuma delivers his speech during a program. A student runs on the stage and stabs him with a knife.
Soviet and American achievements in space travel in the year 1961, during the so called "space race". Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin returns after his historic trip in space and NASA launches its Mercury Freedom 7 spaceship for sub orbital flight by Astronaut Alan Shepard. A news paper reports about the success of Russian space mission as the Yuri Gagarin returns after a space trip. A large crowd gathered cheers for Gagarin. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) workers work on Mercury-Redstone 3 spacecraft "Freedom 7" for carrying out sub-orbital flight, manned by Alan Shepard. Scene shows launch of the Mercury MR-3 mission on May 5, 1961. View of Commander Shepard in capsule during flight. Helicopter lifting Alan Shepard to safety after the successful flight. Commander Shephard shown beside the spaceship capsule on deck of aircraft carrier after recovery. View of flight preparations for Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4). Liftoff of MR-4 on July 21, 1961, commanded by Astronaut Captain Gus Grissom. NASA scientists in Mission control room. Helicopter rescues astronaut Grissom from sea after safe splashdown of MR-4. View of bridge of ship USS Randolph (USS-15) during recovery effort. Astronaut Grissom walking on the deck of the aircraft carrier after recovery.