NHK General's "The Century of Images: The Butterfly Effect" (Mondays at 10 PM) will air "Iran, America, and Japan: A Century of Oil" on June 1st. Iran, which flourished as a key point on the Silk Road and boasts a long and rich history, saw its abundant oil resources discovered at the end of the 19th century. Oil brought both hope and became a spark of conflict.
In 1951, Iran nationalized its oil reserves to reclaim the oil wealth controlled by Britain. Britain responded by sending warships to the Persian Gulf as a threat. It was Japanese oil companies that came to Iran's rescue, refusing to yield to pressure and continuing to purchase oil. Subsequently, American intervention led to the downfall of the government, and Iran became a pro-American nation. America gained enormous oil interests. However, the anger of the people exploded, and the Islamic Revolution turned Iran into an anti-American nation. This program looks back on a century of intertwined motives surrounding oil. Narrated by announcer Yoji Itoi.
