The action in “The Sun” takes place in occupied Japan from late August 1945 until 1st January 1946. On the 15th of August, Emperor Hirohito made a public appeal to his people to cease military operations.
Millions of Japanese were shocked to hear their Emperor’s voice for the first time in their lives.
The film portrays the events leading up to two crucial decisions made by Hirohito, both of which were of major historical significance.
The first was the declaration of surrender from World War II, and the second was the renunciation of his divine status. During this period, the Emperor also forms an unlikely bond with the American General Douglas MacArthur who did much to resolve the situation with the minimum of victims.
Two men wrestling with the burden of history, culture and conflict in order to find a path to the future.