Yutaka Takenouchi attends the opening day stage greeting for the film "Yukikaze YUKIKAZE"

Actor Yutaka Takenouchi attended the opening day stage greeting for his starring film "YUKIKAZE" (directed by Toshihisa Yamada) held in Tokyo on August 15th. The event began with a moment of silence, marking the milestone of 80 years since the end of the war. Takenouchi spoke of his feelings about the film, saying, "I feel deeply moved. I am honored to be able to release this film into the world at this time and to be involved in such a production."

The film depicts the Yukikaze, a destroyer that actually existed during the Pacific War. Takenouchi reflected, "Before I was involved in this film, I had no idea that this ship existed, but Yukikaze made me realize the true meaning of the word 'rescue ship,' which I had used casually until then. I believe it was not a coincidence that this film was released now, at a time when so many people are seeking salvation and a rescue ship is truly needed."

Finally, he emphasized, "It's been 80 years. It's only been 80 years, but as the reality of the war fades from people's memories, I think this film is packed with many messages. What were the thoughts and feelings of the people at that time? By allowing people to actually experience the feelings of the people at that time through a film rather than through print, I believe that the scenes will be more deeply engraved in the hearts of many people."

Also appearing on stage to greet the audience were Hiroshi Tamaki, Daiken Okudaira, Ami Touma, Tanaka Rena, Kiichi Nakai, screenwriter Hasegawa Yasuo, and director Yamada.

The film depicts on a grand scale the lives and fates of people who struggled to survive in the turbulent times that stretched from the Pacific War to the postwar period and on into the present day. Based on historical fact, it brings to life as fiction the many roles played by the Yukikaze, the only one of the 38 main destroyers to survive until the end of the war without sinking and known as the "unsinkable ship."