Under the Open Sky

Masao Mikami, a former yakuza member, is released after serving 13 years in prison for murder. His first action upon release is to send his inmate files to a TV company, seeking to locate his estranged mother.

After his release, Mikami meets with his lawyer and wife, where they have dinner at their home. This gathering is a stark reminder of his past life and the relationships he once had.

Mikami attempts to apply for welfare benefits, but a case worker threatens to deny his application due to his violent history. Overwhelmed by the system's rejection, he suffers a meltdown and collapses, leading to a hospital visit.

In the hospital, a doctor advises Mikami to take better care of himself, warning him about the risks of a heart attack or stroke. This moment underscores the fragility of his new life away from crime.

Tsunoda, a young TV director, reaches out to Mikami for an interview, documenting his life story as part of a television project. The interview prompts Mikami to reflect on his past decisions and their consequences.

Mikami recalls a traumatic event involving his ex-wife, Kumiko, during a trial flashback. He remembers how a gang member had harassed Kumiko at their hostess bar, leading him to commit a violent act of stabbing in a fit of rage.

Mikami visits Kumiko's apartment, only to discover she has remarried and they have a daughter. He learns that this child is not his own, leading to feelings of loss and regret.

While at a grocery store, Mikami is wrongly accused of shoplifting, which he vehemently denies. After proving his innocence, the accusing employee gives him food and walks him home, highlighting Mikami's continuing struggle to adapt.

Mikami attempts to renew his expired driver's license but fails the driving test. This failure serves as another reminder of how he's out of sync with normal life.

During a dinner meeting, Tsunoda and his boss inform Mikami that his life story will be filmed. While Mikami is skeptical about the attention, he understands that this could help him find his mother.

On his way home, Mikami witnesses a mugging. Despite his attempts to intervene peacefully, he ends up resorting to violence, which raises concerns for Tsunoda about broadcasting his story.

Mikami travels to meet Akimasa and learns about the decline of the yakuza organization. This visit raises questions about his past life and whether he will return to that world.

Mikami and Tsunoda visit the orphanage where Mikami grew up, only to find that much of his past is lost. This disappointment reinforces Mikami's feelings of disconnection from his own history.

Mikami receives assistance from a case worker, who helps him secure a trainee position in a nursing home. This job offers him a glimmer of hope for a stable future.

In a tragic turn, Mikami collapses in his apartment while holding flowers given to him by a coworker. Tsunoda arrives too late, witnessing the aftermath of Mikami's untimely death, surrounded by friends and sorrow.