Know Your Enemy: Japan

Know Your Enemy: Japan

Year: 1945

Runtime: 63 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Capra

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Frank Capra-directed propaganda film produced during World War II depicting the United States’ new enemy: Japan.

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Timeline & Setting – Know Your Enemy: Japan (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Know Your Enemy: Japan (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century to 1945

The film spans a historical period from the end of Japan's isolationist policies in the 1850s through its modernization during the Meiji Restoration, up until 1945, the year World War II ended for Japan. This era includes significant events like the opening of Japan to the West, the rise of imperial power, and Japan's aggressive expansion leading to wartime conditions.

Location

Japan, United States, Great Britain, Soviet Russia

The movie primarily depicts Japan as the central setting, focusing on its cultural and political landscape during the early to mid-20th century. It mentions other countries like the United States, Britain, and Russia in the context of war and geopolitics, highlighting Japan's imperial ambitions and religious sites like the Yasukuni Shrine. The film reflects on Japan's history, religion, and modernization, emphasizing its national identity and expansionist actions.

🌏 Geographical 🏛️ Political 🕌 Religious

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Main Characters – Know Your Enemy: Japan (1945)

Meet the key characters of Know Your Enemy: Japan (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Narrator (Howard Duff)

Howard Duff’s narration guides viewers through Japan’s historical ideology, emphasizing the nationalist and imperialist narrative. His voice provides a tone of authority and objectivity, framing Japan’s actions from a propagandistic perspective and highlighting the devotion to the divine emperor and militarism.

🎙️ Narration 🏛️ Authority 📜 Propaganda

Emperor Hirohito

Portrayed as a divine, almost powerless figurehead, Hirohito symbolizes Japan’s imperial ideology and religious devotion. The film emphasizes the divine reverence for him, portraying the emperor as a central figure in fostering national unity and wartime expansion.

👑 Divine 🕊️ Symbol 🧭 Leadership

Japanese soldiers

Representing the uniformity and devotion of Japan’s military, these soldiers are depicted as obedient and hard-working, often characterized by their identical appearance and diet. They symbolize the nationwide militaristic fervor and the influence of imperial propaganda.

🎖️ Military 🚶‍♂️ Uniformity 🥢 Cultural

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Major Themes – Know Your Enemy: Japan (1945)

Explore the central themes of Know Your Enemy: Japan (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Nationalism

The film explores the intense nationalism prevalent in Japan, grounded in religious and imperial devotion, particularly to Emperor Hirohito. It portrays how this nationalism was fostered by the state through propaganda, religious institutions, and cultural shifts, ultimately fueling expansionist and militaristic pursuits before and during World War II.

⚔️ Imperialism

A central theme of the film is Japan's imperialist ambitions, driven by warlords and political leaders who sought to expand Japanese influence across Asia and beyond. The narrative examines the military hierarchy, strategizing, and the ideological underpinnings that justified aggressive conquest during this period.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

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Unlock the Full Story of Know Your Enemy: Japan

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Know Your Enemy: Japan Summary

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Know Your Enemy: Japan Summary

Know Your Enemy: Japan Timeline

Track the full timeline of Know Your Enemy: Japan with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Know Your Enemy: Japan Timeline

Know Your Enemy: Japan Spoiler-Free Summary

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Know Your Enemy: Japan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Know Your Enemy: Japan

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Know Your Enemy: Japan: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Know Your Enemy: Japan