Narita: The Peasants of the Second Fortress (1971) - full transcript
NARITA
FEBRUARY 24TH, 1971
This is the broadcast front.
The Sanrizuka-Shibayama
Anti-Airport League.
You, Airport Corporation, you
must give nature back to Sanrizuka...
Must give Sanrizuka back to the nature
to which it always belonged.
Throughout Japan,
from Hokkaido to Okinawa...
Nature is being destroyed,
humanity is being crushed...
and sacrifices are forced on
peasants, workers...
and the others who are struggling.
Do you know the fact?
THE PEASANTS OF THE
SECOND FORTRESS
HOW TO DEFEND
THE FORTRESS
We shall decide ourselves...
whether to abandon our trees or
to stay in our tunnels.
We are all full of fight.
The most important thing is
to stay in the tunnels...
then to defend our trees and fortresses.
The tunnel will be our last
fortress. Trees come first.
Trees are the most important.
Women will defend the trees.
One tree to every woman.
The tunnels will be
our last fortress.
To go in the tunnels is
the last thing of all.
Let's defend the barricade
to the very last.
No matter how, we must have
enough time to defend.
We are lost if this
fortress is taken.
Let's defend it to the last.
If they bring a crane truck,
I'll hang on to it.
We must chain ourselves
to the trees.
Then they won't dare attack.
And meanwhile, we'll have time
to return to our posts and our tunnel.
I think we can get in the tunnel
easily... in only a few minutes.
We may be arrested, or we may be
wounded. We are ready.
While the enemy is attacking
the fortress...
We can leave the tunnel
and fight outside.
Let's fight here,
I think that's best.
I agree... strategically
that's good.
If we chain ourselves to the
barricade, they'd be helpless.
I'll go on the top of the barricade.
When the enemy gets in,
let's lock our chains.
The best attitude is:
"Come who dares to come!"
How about trees?
Should one chain oneself to them?
Wire is better.
Mother Yanagawa, you must choose
a big tree. You are fat.
We'll see how much of me they can
drag... I'm 80kg.
You climb up this tree.
You might break your neck.
I don't care.
You will survive me.
I'll be at the barricade today.
It has a good view and it is fun.
It's dangerous if you slip.
Let's ask the old man
what he thinks.
After all, I think the
tunnel is most important.
But we shouldn't go in the
tunnel while we're fighting here.
We'll rush into the tunnel
at the last moment.
We should be prepared so that
we can chain ourselves quickly.
If the enemy attacks the fortress...
those who are inside will all
fight back.
At the same time, everybody must
be prepared to...
go to his post and
chain himself.
We must climb the trees
just before they attack.
Otherwise we won't be able to.
If they come to pull you down,
fight them off.
We're staking our life here,
up to the last moment...
When they're trying to destroy
the fortress.
Naturally, we ought to
use the spears.
PEASANTS' BROADCASTING
TOWER
RESISTING EXPROPRIATION
IN THE NAME OF JAPANESE PEASANTS
GROUND IN FRONT OF
THE 2ND FORTRESS
Smash the airport!
Defend the tunnel!
Smash the airport!
ZENGAKUREN
DISPOSITION OF PEASANTS
IS BEING DECIDED
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25...
26 members. Who'll
go in the tunnel?
7 members to the death
patrol - to the tunnel.
18 remain. About half of them will
chain themselves to the trees.
The tunnel men will fight here
until the signal of withdrawal.
Everybody to his post!
You don't have to climb the trees.
You remain under your trees.
Everyone to his post!
To his tree!
Use as big a tree as possible.
BAMBOO SPEARS
Everyone to his post.
Don't wander around.
Take them and assign them one by
one to the trees.
THE FORTRESS IS REINFORCED
DAY BY DAY
AT 10 A.M....
THE PERSONNEL OF THE NEW TOKYO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT CORPORATION APPEAR ON THE SCENE
ESCORTED BY RIOT POLICE
They might throw stones at us.
They might kill us.
Doesn't matter how you look!
Put this on if you want
to live that much.
You can have it.
I'll wear this.
If you don't like it,
I'll lend you my helmet.
It suits you.
You prefer the helmet, don't you?
Put this cloth inside.
A towel is better.
BINDING THEMSELVES
TO THE TREES WITH CHAINS
Is anybody there?
CALLING INTO THE TUNNEL
Is anybody there?
Nobody is there.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower of the Anti-Airport League.
Comrades of the
Anti-Airport League!
The enemy has now made its
appearance.
Make ready for fight!
Turn it a little this way.
Can two people go in?
This is safer.
This is more comfortable.
YOU'RE LIKE A PUPPY
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
Governor Tomono of Chiba
Prefecture may have scruples at...
Carrying out such thing...
But we peasants will
never allow him...
To rob us of everything
by mere force.
They are trying to
suppress our struggle.
It is obvious that the Airport
Corporation has no power...
If we are all united.
THE FIRST DAY THE CORPORATION PERSONNEL
COULD NOT APPROACH THE FORTRESS
FEBRUARY 25TH
The Government and the Corporation
are surrounding us ruthlessly.
But we aren't afraid of
such oppression.
We are now even more eager to fight.
And will repulse any kind of
oppression by the riot police.
AT 9 A.M., RIOT POLICE SUDDENLY APPEARED
IN FRONT OF THE FORTRESS
The armed riot police has now arrived
just under the Broadcasting Tower.
Hey, you cops!
Everyone to his post!
We'll be alright!
Everyone to his post!
Today they are sure to attack!
They're coming!
They're also down there!
No. 28!
No. 24!
The time has come to show
our peasants' spirit.
Steady on!
Be ready to fight!
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting Tower
of Anti-Airport League...
Shall we do it together?
Come in.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower.
You cops! What are you
trying to do here!
It's cold.
Don't grumble.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower.
All those who have gathered
here today!
The enemy has been driven into
a corner.
He cannot come without
riot police.
What are you doing?
What do you think you're doing?
IN FRONT OF THE BROADCASTING TOWER
NEAR THE SECOND FORTRESS
ZENGAKUREN SUPPORTERS
WOMEN'S ACTION COMMITTEE
AT THE 4TH FORTRESS
Riot police
at the 1st and 2nd fortresses!
Retreat at once!
RIOT POLICE CONCENTRATES THEIR ATTACK
ON SUPPORTING GROUPS
MANY PEOPLE WERE
ARRESTED AND WOUNDED
THE FORTRESS MAY BE DESTROYED AT ANY
MOMENT. HOW CAN WE REALLY DEFEND IT?
The strategy of the Anti-Airport
League is to stand in a row...
and protest and to chain ourselves
after the barricades are taken down.
Then make it a protracted struggle and
defend the tunnels.
This is the basic strategy of
our League.
But that means we're not
really fighting.
This won't be a real battle.
If we want to avoid losses...
We'd better go out of the barricade
and make a human chain.
In any case the barricade
will be broken.
Then we can't make a
stand in the tunnels.
But it's the League's
decision and policy.
We can't win that war.
The people in the tunnels
will be isolated.
They wouldn't know what to do.
If we are to fight in the tunnels...
What should we do
outside beforehand?
If all we do is to
make a human chain...
What will happen to those
in the tunnels?
It would be like
the Communist Party.
Then, those in the tunnels
will come out too.
Even a schoolchild wouldn't have
had such a bad idea.
It's only for show!
I don't mind being arrested
if we could at least fight.
We've done everything till now...
We must defend the
fortress to the last.
We rely on the supporting students
for the outer defense.
The students will be
responsible.
We've been fighting
together for years.
The leaders should
think of themselves...
rather than worry about the
students.
Nobody likes to be injured.
If you're talking about
protracted struggle...
Think of those in the tunnels.
Next time we'll ask our leaders to stay
in the tunnels for 1 or 2 months.
We'll bring them food.
Let's discuss our strategy,
then fight.
Let's make an example.
Our group can't lose.
Let's unify the will of our group...
And decide how we'll use the
bamboo spears and chains.
Struggle is severe!
THEY CHAIN THEMSELVES
TO THE TREES
THEY AGREED AT THIS TIME
NOT TO USE BAMBOO SPEARS
If the barricade is broken,
they'll cut down the trees.
They'll announce that
they have the land...
...when they've cut down the trees.
If the barricade is broken,
we are lost.
We mustn't let them pull
down a single tree...
But, even to save the trees...
We shouldn't throw stones
or use our spears.
But chaining ourselves to trees
isn't wrong as a principle, is it?
They say don't lay too much stress
on trees and fortresses...
...but to defend the tunnels first.
Aren't we defending the barricades
in order to protect the tunnels?
That's a difficult point.
Of course we want you to stay
by the trees with chains...
...and defend them properly.
But it's difficult to
stake one's life.
It can't be solved by the use of arms.
We want you to defend them physically.
May I express my opinion?
We can't look on silently...
...while those chained to
the trees are arrested.
Then what's the use of carrying spears?
Shouldn't we fight to
the last?
Even if our position is hopeless.
We must fight with such a spirit.
This time, I understand that you're
anxious to use the spears.
But it's no use.
Even if we had 1.000 spears and guns,
we won't be able to win.
We'll fight with teeth and nails.
That's best!
This battle is not very spectacular.
That's how battles are.
They change according to
the situation.
We must save our energy for the
next battle.
As I have always been saying...
Even if we use bamboo spears,
it doesn't necessarily mean we'll win.
But we should at least confront
them with a spear, with that spirit...
And then be arrested.
At least we must have
such a determination.
We can't, like mere onlookers, leave
the chained persons to their fate.
Let's be prepared to be
arrested one and all...
But show them our fighting spirit.
We all have the same feeling.
Well, I...
I think...
The most important thing
is our attitude.
We understand.
It's our attitude about
using spears...
We all have that attitude.
It's our attitude about...
MARCH 3RD
Members of the Sanrizuka-Shibayama
Anti-Airport League!
The enemy has turned more
ferocious and is going to...
Commit all kinds of atrocities.
We'll fight them back, and
prevent the Prefectural Governor...
from taking the land on behalf
of the Airport Corporation.
We'll fight to
smash the airport!
Smash the airport!
Stop the expropriation!
Smash the airport!
Stop the expropriation!
THEY CONCENTRATED
ON THE 1ST FORTRESS
PEASANTS OF THE 2ND FORTRESS
GO TO REINFORCE THE 1ST FORTRESS
Have you passed it round
your neck?
It won't go round.
Those in the barricade!
Get out! It's dangerous.
Those in the designated areas!
Don't interfere with official duties!
Get out at once!
That's none of your business.
Anything wrong in defending
one's own land?
TEMPORARY PERSONNEL OF
THE AIRPORT CORPORATION...
RECRUITED FROM ALL OVER JAPAN
WITH A DAILY SALARY OF ¥20.000
We are here to expropriate according
to the Eminent Domain Law.
Don't interfere!
Don't interfere!
Carry me away!
Kill us together, if you dare.
Kill us both!
Get done with your job!
I'm chained.
We're not afraid of you.
We won't let you cut the chains!
We'll cut your chain.
Take me off chain and all.
Hold fast to me!
You're not going to cut this chain.
Hold on tight to me!
If we're to die,
we'll die together.
CHILDREN ARE LEFT
IN THE HUT
Come here! You're interfering with
official duties!
Interfering with official duties?
But who are you?
You're interfering with official duties.
Don't interfere with
official duties!
There are children in there.
Are you trying to kill them?
Look at her!
MOTHERS COULD NOT GO
TO RESCUE THEIR CHILDREN
Why don't you stop doing this?
There are many other professions.
You are killing people.
You know that?
Kill me first.
Then go ahead with your job.
Look at her!
Take off that uniform!
You might already be murderers.
SUPPORTERS ATTACK RIOT POLICE
NEAR THE 1ST FORTRESS
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
RETREATS IN HASTE
We can't forgive such atrocities.
We peasants of the Anti-Airport
League have suffered for 6 years.
Now the time has come when we
can finally fight back.
Let's rebuild better fortresses.
There are lots of trees.
A wooden fortress is no good.
THE BREACH IN THE FORTRESS
IS IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED
Let's make it with ferro concrete.
Let's make a barricade immediately.
Steady!
The first pole is already set up!
Arrange the trees like this.
Someone come here!
SUPPORTING GROUPS DEFEND
THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE FORTRESS
Bring a shovel here.
We can build a hut tonight.
We don't mind one fortress being gone.
We've learned much.
SUDDENLY FROM THE EDGE
OF THE FORTRESS...
Let's line up.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
COME TO FELL TREES...
WHICH WERE LEFT UNCUT
DURING THE DAY
We're cutting down the trees.
You get out at once!
Cheer up, cheer up!
Throw stones!
Throw stones!
Has anybody got hurt?
THE SUMMARIZATION OF TODAY'S BATTLE.
THE 2ND FORTRESS
THEY DIDN'T EXPECT THE ENEMY
TO BE SO NUMEROUS AND SO FIERCE
THEY COULDN'T CARRY ON AS HITHERTO
WITH A NEARLY NON RESISTANT STRATEGY
THE DECISION WAS MADE TO FIGHT
RESOLUTELY FROM THE NEXT MORNING
MARCH 5TH
They're very afraid.
They won't get near but
with the cops.
They're coming to us.
We must be ready to gouge the eyes out
of everyone of them!
You must stand by your post, but
if we're attacked we need your help.
That's right. But we ourselves
might be in danger.
We must judge the situation correctly.
Non resistance is no good.
We want you to obey the commands...
...issued during each moment of the
battle.
Let's attack in every way.
Don't be afraid.
To have children among us is
dangerous.
But they won't attack so recklessly
as long as children are here.
They came to break things up as soon
as the children went away.
Parents should always protect their
children.
We weren't just having fun while our
friends were attacked.
Everybody got together
and came to help you.
We didn't abandon our friends
to their fate.
We're all acting together with the
same feeling.
Most important thing is not to let
the Corporation men come near us.
The Corporation men will come
before the riot police.
We must frighten the Corporation men.
Let's beat them off with our chains.
We'll leave the chains unlocked.
We'll pretend to be
bound to the trees...
And when the Corporation men
approach us to cut off the chains...
Beat them hard with your chains.
They'll push on
if we show weakness.
Get the cutters out of their hands
and hit them hard on the heads.
You have to be on your guard.
We must be always on the alert.
This is a battlefield.
They're here.
Take your posts!
THEY COME TO THE 1ST FORTRESS
AGAIN EARLY NEXT MORNING
THE FORTRESS IS REBUILT
Hey, you! Bastards!
Get on with your job!
Do it!
Get out!
Don't let them break in!
Come on if you can!
Stop it! You beasts!
The Chief of the Narita Police
gives you a warning...
Those throwing stones and Molotov
cocktails will be arrested...
On charge of interference with
official duties and for having...
Criminal weapons.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
BEARS DOWN ON THE FORTRESS FROM BOTH SIDES
THE BLOW OF A FIRE HOOK
AIMED AT THE HEAD
Don't trifle with us!
We'll get you!
Come here! You'll get it!
You attacked first.
No, that's a fire hook.
Are you a fire hook
on human beings?
Damn! It's no good!
THE FORTRESS IS DESIGNED
TO BE INVISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS
Let's be ready for battle.
I can't decide alone.
Let's consult them.
EMERGENCY MEETING
We're ready to be arrested.
We've thrown so many stones.
It's obvious we'll all be arrested.
Whether we throw stones or not,
we'll be arrested all the same.
If we throw stones while they're
too far away, the supply will be exhausted.
We mustn't waste stones.
But because we're throwing stones,
they can't come nearer.
If they break in here,
how do the mothers line up?
IN ORDER THAT YOUNG PEASANTS
MAY NOT BE ARRESTED...
THE WOMEN'S ACTION
COMMITTEE PUSHED TO THE
FRONT LINE AFTER YOUNG
PEASANTS HAD RETREATED
The Chief of Narita Police gives you
a warning...
We're arresting you on charge of
interference with official duties...
and for having criminal weapons.
We will arrest everyone now!
YOUNG PEASANTS OF THE FRONT LINE RETREAT
FROM THE 1ST FORTRESS TO THE 2ND FORTRESS
Go ahead!
MOTHERS PROTECT YOUNG PEASANTS
FROM RIOT POLICE
Don't you understand how we
peasants feel? Even you'd understand...
INSIDE THE 2ND
FORTRESS
VERY FEW PEOPLE WERE
ARRESTED THAT DAY
I was taken away by a cop.
I was arrested when I was explaining
the situation to someone up there.
The cops said, "You threw stones,
didn't you? Why are you so wet?"
And then?
The cops asked me how many stones
I thread, and I said, "None."
That was good.
I said, "I don't throw stones.
I'm the boss."
MARCH 6TH
THEY OBTAINED INFORMATION
THAT THE CORPORATION
WAS NOT COMING TO THE
2ND FORTRESS THAT DAY
THE 4TH FORTRESS
SUPPORTING GROUPS
ARE ATTACKED
THE GUARDS ARE SO
VIGILANT...
THAT PEASANTS OF OTHER FORTRESSES
ARE UNABLE TO APPROACH
Stop!
THE HILL WHERE THE
2ND FORTRESS IS BUILT
Stop it!
Now the riot police is committing
atrocities against us peasants.
They are trying to crush our
tunnels with machines.
Those in the tunnels,
be careful.
I can't look any longer.
It's so cruel.
We can't go to rescue them, either.
Murderers!
Stop it! You beasts!
You might kill them!
They'll die!
Murderers!
Go home!
It's my land.
Show your certificate!
Certificate? Who's carrying
a certificate at such a moment!
Go home.
Don't kill people.
Stand back! You're in danger.
Who's causing danger, eh?
Stand back!
You're the one who brought
danger here!
Look down there!
There are many wounded.
That's murder!
Just look at them!
SEVERAL FORTRESSES HAD
BEEN DESTROYED UNTIL THIS DAY
The students in the fortress
may have already been arrested.
They had no time to get away.
It's bad.
This is real bad.
They've got the law to
do whatever they want.
This is what the State does.
Will such fact be forgotten?
Never!
Prime Minister Sato and the
Prefectural Governor may have been...
...dealing well with politics...
But look what they've done now.
Whatever they may have done
is nullified.
They'll have nightmares
from now on.
They'll be horrified of
what they've done.
They've never even tried to convince us.
That's "National Policy!"
I've really understood that
it's a nasty world.
They do such diabolical things.
How frightening Power can be.
I'm no longer grateful to the
State.
But such bad times won't last long.
It's like land tenure in the
old days.
In the old days, people were resigned
to oppression.
But we have a proper
constitution now.
Nevertheless, they rob us of
land, by hook or by crook...
When it's necessary to them.
They're even worse than bailiffs.
I'm an ignorant peasant...
But the State permits private
property when they don't need it...
To have us tend it and
to levy heavy taxes...
Then once they need it, no matter
when, they seize it like this.
This is the true maladministration.
The Government talks about having
respect for human life...
But if this is respecting human life,
people will be buried alive in the tunnels.
And we can't really interfere.
??? can we express
our
How???
We must be always alert.
They come with thousands of riot
police and chase people away.
What they're doing is a
pitiless and sneaking plot!
It's an intrigue!
Even children are taking part
with all their efforts.
We could never lose our spirit.
I'm stubborn.
We must hand???
They've committed a real cruelty.
They cut down trees
while people were up in them.
They won't???
They've come up with machines...
And if somebody???
they'd say,
...before???
We must think of the tunnels in
terms of such a possibility.
Let's make our strategy.
They are pack of madmen.
They can't be???
They're???
The Government??? itself
dog.
It's like???
If you think they're???
The Government is afraid we'd
revolt and overthrow it.
They want to exterminate us.
Even if they exterminate us,
they can't exterminate??? peasants!
In the land??? struggle
The spirit will be inherited for
many generations.
???
The blood will remain.
Surely.
???
There will be people who'll???
Our blood will be inherited by
???
We must reconsider the tactic of
going into the tunnels.
I get up at 3 in the morning
and go to the fortress...
Even if I can't be of any help
to the struggle...
I can't stay at home.
I come here everyday, rain or shine.
It makes you mad to be jeered at
by the traitors.
When we first started our struggle...
The Socialist Party said we could
easily win through...
lawsuit and the National Diet.
Did the chairman and others come
here even once?
Did they ever challenge the
Government and the National Diet?
They've never done anything.
We can't rely on any political
party.
No political party to rely on.
LET'S ENTER THE TUNNEL
This part is loose
and may crumble in.
The toilet is to the right.
The toilet was once in
front outside.
This entrance was once very wide.
But that was inconvenient. So
we had to narrow it down.
We had to move the
toilet inside.
We'd thought the ventilation
opening would take away the smell...
But the smell doesn't go away.
VENTILATION OPENING
Look! The flame gets this small.
It means that this much
air is coming in.
The flame gets bigger here.
Such a difference...
Means you can get fresh
air down here.
Here it's entirely different.
The ventilation opening down there
is much bigger.
The wind is stronger and it's
almost cold.
Entirely different.
Even a small ventilation opening
takes in a lot of fresh air.
Are there many of them?
Only one here.
But some elsewhere.
The flame doesn't change
around here.
There is no breeze.
But here it gets so small.
A CORNER OF THE PASSAGE
It's cracking and may crumble with
a slightest shock.
This part is also very soft.
I don't like this crack either.
Perhaps the ground has fallen
and made all those cracks.
It may tumble down on this side.
This crevice is not shallow.
It may be dangerous.
It may cave in at any touch.
You see?
This is a most frightening crevice.
Such crevices are all over the
passage, if you look carefully.
LET'S GO INTO THE ROOM
First of all, we talked over what
kind of rooms we should build.
Nobody had experienced digging
habitable tunnels.
At first, we thought of using
wooden planks...
To support ceilings and walls.
But we decided on logs
in view of long fight to come.
Several households offered
pine and cedar logs.
We chose big stout logs,
and prepared the material.
We carried the logs on trucks,
spending half a day.
Next day we started building the
rooms.
We didn't use old wood.
The logs are mainly pines.
We call this room No. 1.
We used best materials here
for it's near the entrance.
In order to construct the logs
inside the tunnel.
We couldn't dig out the ceiling
because it was rock bed...
So we worked hard digging out the
floor and shortening the logs.
As for how we made the floor...
We laid a few logs on the ground
and arranged planks on them.
Then we spread straw about
30cm deep, and put straw-mats on it.
At last we could spread mattresses.
We hardly feel the cold or the moisture
from underneath.
But moisture is steadily penetrating
for it's earth just outside the logs.
Bugs have began to come in the
morning. We have to use insecticide.
Where do they come from?
It seems rats are thriving, too.
They seem to be running about.
They nibble at our crackers.
Usually we use sleeping bags...
But few peasants know
how to use sleeping bags.
At first we obeyed instructions.
We crawled legs first into the bag...
and closed the zippers.
The entire body is covered
and only the face is out up here.
It's as if one slept
standing at attention.
But nowadays...
we reverse it and place only our legs
in it.
We don't close the zippers, and
we cover ourselves with it.
We feel much more comfortable
this way.
The sleeping bag...
...may be used properly when
you're sleeping outdoors...
and when you don't have a mattress.
But it's much better to use it like
this when you have the mattress.
It's not so cold inside the tunnel.
The frontage of this room
is actually very wide.
If the riot police step in,
we can lose the front door.
The door is now half closed
and other half can be closed by grating.
This clamp is for fastening the wire.
A similar clamp is up there, too.
We can lock the grating by
fastening it at two places.
Then the entire front is
protected by the grating.
When we constructed this room,
we've built it somewhat inclined.
It threatened to fall towards
the front door.
So we protected it by a prop.
That prop is not a decoration.
This room is awry as a whole.
We have shovels ready here
as well as in the toilet.
Such tools are placed in all rooms.
We memorize where things are kept
in case of emergency.
And here...
This is a shelf for holding
cups and bowls.
You???
We're all men here.
We eat together, or drink together...
Well, we don't drink more than
a glass or two.
Nobody cares much about tiding up.
We tidy up when???
before us leave???
We eat or drink with them, but
we don't tidy up afterwards.
I suppose this is a man's???
Soya sauce and candles
are kept on each room.
The white bottle is for drinking water.
Water is distributed to everyone.
We have no worries about food either.
In principle we are not to touch
the supplies...
Except in case of emergency.
But we nibble at them from time to time.
The Room No. 2 is down there.
We must walk over 10 meters
if we use the usual passage.
So we have dug here a shortcut.
It was small at first...
but it got bigger
as the earth got trampled down.
Let's go.
We only had simple plans
when we first started digging.
But we've thought of many things
while digging.
It changed to somewhere
we could live normally.
This tunnel was dug only by the peasants,
because it could be dangerous.
We decided not to let the
supporting students come in...
and admitted only the peasants.
We've also excluded peasants
who are not too healthy.
We have 4 healthy men in
each tunnel.
As we are all selected for
healthiness...
We can easily stay here for
weeks and weeks.
No one complains about feeling
stuffy.
Everyone is ready to stay here
even if one dies.
You prefer the tunnel you dug
yourself?
That's right.
Though we sort of casually
started digging...
Once we were to live here...
We naturally used
the strongest materials.
That's human instinct.
We have absolutely faith in
the sturdiness of each room.
We are afraid of entering
other peasants' tunnels.
We won't dream of staying overnight
in other tunnels.
We'd come out as soon as possible.
We have no worries as long as
we are in our own tunnel.
But we are afraid of cave-ins
when we're in the other tunnels.
Though they're not so flimsily made.
We don't mind staying for days
in our own tunnel.
It was made by peasants without
my knowledge.
We spent much time and labor
in assembling logs.
To adjust the length, we had to
dig the ground and cut the logs.
It's a simple matter to build
such room above the ground...
But underground construction
was different. It wasn't easy.
Even if they come with machines...
Of course it will be crushed
easily with bulldozers.
But we all are ready to
defend till the last.
We won't give up our land.
MARCH 25TH
THIS DAY SEVERAL TUNNELS
WERE DESTROYED BUT
NOT THOSE INSIDE THE
1ST AND THE 2ND FORTRESS
You workers, students, peasants
and citizens...
...who have gathered there
today - unite.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower.
We have dug fortresses
deep under the earth...
And are still continuing to fight...
...in order to crash the violence
of the State.
Sanrizuka is still alive.
Sanrizuka is living.
There is no doubt that buds will
sprout from this ground in spring.
The victory will be ours.
In order to smash the
violence of the State...
We ask you workers, students and
citizens to be with us.
LATE IN APRIL
Let's change.
The air is bad!
I can't go to the field
before 7 tomorrow morning.
I'll sleep late tomorrow.
I hardly wake up before
noon these days.
Somehow I sleep on.
Few young people like to
become peasants nowadays.
Parents are pleased just
to see us in the fields.
My mother said to me...
How good it was to see a young man
like me become a peasant.
She has true understanding.
But really young people don't
work on farms nowadays.
It's hard work.
Yes, hard work,
especially at first.
Where will this
tunnel lead to?
The peasants of the second fortress
Production Staff: Haruo Nosaka,
Toshio Iizuka, Nobuyuki Kikuchi
Directed by Shinsuke Ogawa
Photographed by Masaki Tamura
Sound by Koichi Asanuma
PRODUCED IN MAY, 1971
FEBRUARY 24TH, 1971
This is the broadcast front.
The Sanrizuka-Shibayama
Anti-Airport League.
You, Airport Corporation, you
must give nature back to Sanrizuka...
Must give Sanrizuka back to the nature
to which it always belonged.
Throughout Japan,
from Hokkaido to Okinawa...
Nature is being destroyed,
humanity is being crushed...
and sacrifices are forced on
peasants, workers...
and the others who are struggling.
Do you know the fact?
THE PEASANTS OF THE
SECOND FORTRESS
HOW TO DEFEND
THE FORTRESS
We shall decide ourselves...
whether to abandon our trees or
to stay in our tunnels.
We are all full of fight.
The most important thing is
to stay in the tunnels...
then to defend our trees and fortresses.
The tunnel will be our last
fortress. Trees come first.
Trees are the most important.
Women will defend the trees.
One tree to every woman.
The tunnels will be
our last fortress.
To go in the tunnels is
the last thing of all.
Let's defend the barricade
to the very last.
No matter how, we must have
enough time to defend.
We are lost if this
fortress is taken.
Let's defend it to the last.
If they bring a crane truck,
I'll hang on to it.
We must chain ourselves
to the trees.
Then they won't dare attack.
And meanwhile, we'll have time
to return to our posts and our tunnel.
I think we can get in the tunnel
easily... in only a few minutes.
We may be arrested, or we may be
wounded. We are ready.
While the enemy is attacking
the fortress...
We can leave the tunnel
and fight outside.
Let's fight here,
I think that's best.
I agree... strategically
that's good.
If we chain ourselves to the
barricade, they'd be helpless.
I'll go on the top of the barricade.
When the enemy gets in,
let's lock our chains.
The best attitude is:
"Come who dares to come!"
How about trees?
Should one chain oneself to them?
Wire is better.
Mother Yanagawa, you must choose
a big tree. You are fat.
We'll see how much of me they can
drag... I'm 80kg.
You climb up this tree.
You might break your neck.
I don't care.
You will survive me.
I'll be at the barricade today.
It has a good view and it is fun.
It's dangerous if you slip.
Let's ask the old man
what he thinks.
After all, I think the
tunnel is most important.
But we shouldn't go in the
tunnel while we're fighting here.
We'll rush into the tunnel
at the last moment.
We should be prepared so that
we can chain ourselves quickly.
If the enemy attacks the fortress...
those who are inside will all
fight back.
At the same time, everybody must
be prepared to...
go to his post and
chain himself.
We must climb the trees
just before they attack.
Otherwise we won't be able to.
If they come to pull you down,
fight them off.
We're staking our life here,
up to the last moment...
When they're trying to destroy
the fortress.
Naturally, we ought to
use the spears.
PEASANTS' BROADCASTING
TOWER
RESISTING EXPROPRIATION
IN THE NAME OF JAPANESE PEASANTS
GROUND IN FRONT OF
THE 2ND FORTRESS
Smash the airport!
Defend the tunnel!
Smash the airport!
ZENGAKUREN
DISPOSITION OF PEASANTS
IS BEING DECIDED
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25...
26 members. Who'll
go in the tunnel?
7 members to the death
patrol - to the tunnel.
18 remain. About half of them will
chain themselves to the trees.
The tunnel men will fight here
until the signal of withdrawal.
Everybody to his post!
You don't have to climb the trees.
You remain under your trees.
Everyone to his post!
To his tree!
Use as big a tree as possible.
BAMBOO SPEARS
Everyone to his post.
Don't wander around.
Take them and assign them one by
one to the trees.
THE FORTRESS IS REINFORCED
DAY BY DAY
AT 10 A.M....
THE PERSONNEL OF THE NEW TOKYO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT CORPORATION APPEAR ON THE SCENE
ESCORTED BY RIOT POLICE
They might throw stones at us.
They might kill us.
Doesn't matter how you look!
Put this on if you want
to live that much.
You can have it.
I'll wear this.
If you don't like it,
I'll lend you my helmet.
It suits you.
You prefer the helmet, don't you?
Put this cloth inside.
A towel is better.
BINDING THEMSELVES
TO THE TREES WITH CHAINS
Is anybody there?
CALLING INTO THE TUNNEL
Is anybody there?
Nobody is there.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower of the Anti-Airport League.
Comrades of the
Anti-Airport League!
The enemy has now made its
appearance.
Make ready for fight!
Turn it a little this way.
Can two people go in?
This is safer.
This is more comfortable.
YOU'RE LIKE A PUPPY
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
Governor Tomono of Chiba
Prefecture may have scruples at...
Carrying out such thing...
But we peasants will
never allow him...
To rob us of everything
by mere force.
They are trying to
suppress our struggle.
It is obvious that the Airport
Corporation has no power...
If we are all united.
THE FIRST DAY THE CORPORATION PERSONNEL
COULD NOT APPROACH THE FORTRESS
FEBRUARY 25TH
The Government and the Corporation
are surrounding us ruthlessly.
But we aren't afraid of
such oppression.
We are now even more eager to fight.
And will repulse any kind of
oppression by the riot police.
AT 9 A.M., RIOT POLICE SUDDENLY APPEARED
IN FRONT OF THE FORTRESS
The armed riot police has now arrived
just under the Broadcasting Tower.
Hey, you cops!
Everyone to his post!
We'll be alright!
Everyone to his post!
Today they are sure to attack!
They're coming!
They're also down there!
No. 28!
No. 24!
The time has come to show
our peasants' spirit.
Steady on!
Be ready to fight!
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting Tower
of Anti-Airport League...
Shall we do it together?
Come in.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower.
You cops! What are you
trying to do here!
It's cold.
Don't grumble.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower.
All those who have gathered
here today!
The enemy has been driven into
a corner.
He cannot come without
riot police.
What are you doing?
What do you think you're doing?
IN FRONT OF THE BROADCASTING TOWER
NEAR THE SECOND FORTRESS
ZENGAKUREN SUPPORTERS
WOMEN'S ACTION COMMITTEE
AT THE 4TH FORTRESS
Riot police
at the 1st and 2nd fortresses!
Retreat at once!
RIOT POLICE CONCENTRATES THEIR ATTACK
ON SUPPORTING GROUPS
MANY PEOPLE WERE
ARRESTED AND WOUNDED
THE FORTRESS MAY BE DESTROYED AT ANY
MOMENT. HOW CAN WE REALLY DEFEND IT?
The strategy of the Anti-Airport
League is to stand in a row...
and protest and to chain ourselves
after the barricades are taken down.
Then make it a protracted struggle and
defend the tunnels.
This is the basic strategy of
our League.
But that means we're not
really fighting.
This won't be a real battle.
If we want to avoid losses...
We'd better go out of the barricade
and make a human chain.
In any case the barricade
will be broken.
Then we can't make a
stand in the tunnels.
But it's the League's
decision and policy.
We can't win that war.
The people in the tunnels
will be isolated.
They wouldn't know what to do.
If we are to fight in the tunnels...
What should we do
outside beforehand?
If all we do is to
make a human chain...
What will happen to those
in the tunnels?
It would be like
the Communist Party.
Then, those in the tunnels
will come out too.
Even a schoolchild wouldn't have
had such a bad idea.
It's only for show!
I don't mind being arrested
if we could at least fight.
We've done everything till now...
We must defend the
fortress to the last.
We rely on the supporting students
for the outer defense.
The students will be
responsible.
We've been fighting
together for years.
The leaders should
think of themselves...
rather than worry about the
students.
Nobody likes to be injured.
If you're talking about
protracted struggle...
Think of those in the tunnels.
Next time we'll ask our leaders to stay
in the tunnels for 1 or 2 months.
We'll bring them food.
Let's discuss our strategy,
then fight.
Let's make an example.
Our group can't lose.
Let's unify the will of our group...
And decide how we'll use the
bamboo spears and chains.
Struggle is severe!
THEY CHAIN THEMSELVES
TO THE TREES
THEY AGREED AT THIS TIME
NOT TO USE BAMBOO SPEARS
If the barricade is broken,
they'll cut down the trees.
They'll announce that
they have the land...
...when they've cut down the trees.
If the barricade is broken,
we are lost.
We mustn't let them pull
down a single tree...
But, even to save the trees...
We shouldn't throw stones
or use our spears.
But chaining ourselves to trees
isn't wrong as a principle, is it?
They say don't lay too much stress
on trees and fortresses...
...but to defend the tunnels first.
Aren't we defending the barricades
in order to protect the tunnels?
That's a difficult point.
Of course we want you to stay
by the trees with chains...
...and defend them properly.
But it's difficult to
stake one's life.
It can't be solved by the use of arms.
We want you to defend them physically.
May I express my opinion?
We can't look on silently...
...while those chained to
the trees are arrested.
Then what's the use of carrying spears?
Shouldn't we fight to
the last?
Even if our position is hopeless.
We must fight with such a spirit.
This time, I understand that you're
anxious to use the spears.
But it's no use.
Even if we had 1.000 spears and guns,
we won't be able to win.
We'll fight with teeth and nails.
That's best!
This battle is not very spectacular.
That's how battles are.
They change according to
the situation.
We must save our energy for the
next battle.
As I have always been saying...
Even if we use bamboo spears,
it doesn't necessarily mean we'll win.
But we should at least confront
them with a spear, with that spirit...
And then be arrested.
At least we must have
such a determination.
We can't, like mere onlookers, leave
the chained persons to their fate.
Let's be prepared to be
arrested one and all...
But show them our fighting spirit.
We all have the same feeling.
Well, I...
I think...
The most important thing
is our attitude.
We understand.
It's our attitude about
using spears...
We all have that attitude.
It's our attitude about...
MARCH 3RD
Members of the Sanrizuka-Shibayama
Anti-Airport League!
The enemy has turned more
ferocious and is going to...
Commit all kinds of atrocities.
We'll fight them back, and
prevent the Prefectural Governor...
from taking the land on behalf
of the Airport Corporation.
We'll fight to
smash the airport!
Smash the airport!
Stop the expropriation!
Smash the airport!
Stop the expropriation!
THEY CONCENTRATED
ON THE 1ST FORTRESS
PEASANTS OF THE 2ND FORTRESS
GO TO REINFORCE THE 1ST FORTRESS
Have you passed it round
your neck?
It won't go round.
Those in the barricade!
Get out! It's dangerous.
Those in the designated areas!
Don't interfere with official duties!
Get out at once!
That's none of your business.
Anything wrong in defending
one's own land?
TEMPORARY PERSONNEL OF
THE AIRPORT CORPORATION...
RECRUITED FROM ALL OVER JAPAN
WITH A DAILY SALARY OF ¥20.000
We are here to expropriate according
to the Eminent Domain Law.
Don't interfere!
Don't interfere!
Carry me away!
Kill us together, if you dare.
Kill us both!
Get done with your job!
I'm chained.
We're not afraid of you.
We won't let you cut the chains!
We'll cut your chain.
Take me off chain and all.
Hold fast to me!
You're not going to cut this chain.
Hold on tight to me!
If we're to die,
we'll die together.
CHILDREN ARE LEFT
IN THE HUT
Come here! You're interfering with
official duties!
Interfering with official duties?
But who are you?
You're interfering with official duties.
Don't interfere with
official duties!
There are children in there.
Are you trying to kill them?
Look at her!
MOTHERS COULD NOT GO
TO RESCUE THEIR CHILDREN
Why don't you stop doing this?
There are many other professions.
You are killing people.
You know that?
Kill me first.
Then go ahead with your job.
Look at her!
Take off that uniform!
You might already be murderers.
SUPPORTERS ATTACK RIOT POLICE
NEAR THE 1ST FORTRESS
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
RETREATS IN HASTE
We can't forgive such atrocities.
We peasants of the Anti-Airport
League have suffered for 6 years.
Now the time has come when we
can finally fight back.
Let's rebuild better fortresses.
There are lots of trees.
A wooden fortress is no good.
THE BREACH IN THE FORTRESS
IS IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED
Let's make it with ferro concrete.
Let's make a barricade immediately.
Steady!
The first pole is already set up!
Arrange the trees like this.
Someone come here!
SUPPORTING GROUPS DEFEND
THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE FORTRESS
Bring a shovel here.
We can build a hut tonight.
We don't mind one fortress being gone.
We've learned much.
SUDDENLY FROM THE EDGE
OF THE FORTRESS...
Let's line up.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
COME TO FELL TREES...
WHICH WERE LEFT UNCUT
DURING THE DAY
We're cutting down the trees.
You get out at once!
Cheer up, cheer up!
Throw stones!
Throw stones!
Has anybody got hurt?
THE SUMMARIZATION OF TODAY'S BATTLE.
THE 2ND FORTRESS
THEY DIDN'T EXPECT THE ENEMY
TO BE SO NUMEROUS AND SO FIERCE
THEY COULDN'T CARRY ON AS HITHERTO
WITH A NEARLY NON RESISTANT STRATEGY
THE DECISION WAS MADE TO FIGHT
RESOLUTELY FROM THE NEXT MORNING
MARCH 5TH
They're very afraid.
They won't get near but
with the cops.
They're coming to us.
We must be ready to gouge the eyes out
of everyone of them!
You must stand by your post, but
if we're attacked we need your help.
That's right. But we ourselves
might be in danger.
We must judge the situation correctly.
Non resistance is no good.
We want you to obey the commands...
...issued during each moment of the
battle.
Let's attack in every way.
Don't be afraid.
To have children among us is
dangerous.
But they won't attack so recklessly
as long as children are here.
They came to break things up as soon
as the children went away.
Parents should always protect their
children.
We weren't just having fun while our
friends were attacked.
Everybody got together
and came to help you.
We didn't abandon our friends
to their fate.
We're all acting together with the
same feeling.
Most important thing is not to let
the Corporation men come near us.
The Corporation men will come
before the riot police.
We must frighten the Corporation men.
Let's beat them off with our chains.
We'll leave the chains unlocked.
We'll pretend to be
bound to the trees...
And when the Corporation men
approach us to cut off the chains...
Beat them hard with your chains.
They'll push on
if we show weakness.
Get the cutters out of their hands
and hit them hard on the heads.
You have to be on your guard.
We must be always on the alert.
This is a battlefield.
They're here.
Take your posts!
THEY COME TO THE 1ST FORTRESS
AGAIN EARLY NEXT MORNING
THE FORTRESS IS REBUILT
Hey, you! Bastards!
Get on with your job!
Do it!
Get out!
Don't let them break in!
Come on if you can!
Stop it! You beasts!
The Chief of the Narita Police
gives you a warning...
Those throwing stones and Molotov
cocktails will be arrested...
On charge of interference with
official duties and for having...
Criminal weapons.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
BEARS DOWN ON THE FORTRESS FROM BOTH SIDES
THE BLOW OF A FIRE HOOK
AIMED AT THE HEAD
Don't trifle with us!
We'll get you!
Come here! You'll get it!
You attacked first.
No, that's a fire hook.
Are you a fire hook
on human beings?
Damn! It's no good!
THE FORTRESS IS DESIGNED
TO BE INVISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS
Let's be ready for battle.
I can't decide alone.
Let's consult them.
EMERGENCY MEETING
We're ready to be arrested.
We've thrown so many stones.
It's obvious we'll all be arrested.
Whether we throw stones or not,
we'll be arrested all the same.
If we throw stones while they're
too far away, the supply will be exhausted.
We mustn't waste stones.
But because we're throwing stones,
they can't come nearer.
If they break in here,
how do the mothers line up?
IN ORDER THAT YOUNG PEASANTS
MAY NOT BE ARRESTED...
THE WOMEN'S ACTION
COMMITTEE PUSHED TO THE
FRONT LINE AFTER YOUNG
PEASANTS HAD RETREATED
The Chief of Narita Police gives you
a warning...
We're arresting you on charge of
interference with official duties...
and for having criminal weapons.
We will arrest everyone now!
YOUNG PEASANTS OF THE FRONT LINE RETREAT
FROM THE 1ST FORTRESS TO THE 2ND FORTRESS
Go ahead!
MOTHERS PROTECT YOUNG PEASANTS
FROM RIOT POLICE
Don't you understand how we
peasants feel? Even you'd understand...
INSIDE THE 2ND
FORTRESS
VERY FEW PEOPLE WERE
ARRESTED THAT DAY
I was taken away by a cop.
I was arrested when I was explaining
the situation to someone up there.
The cops said, "You threw stones,
didn't you? Why are you so wet?"
And then?
The cops asked me how many stones
I thread, and I said, "None."
That was good.
I said, "I don't throw stones.
I'm the boss."
MARCH 6TH
THEY OBTAINED INFORMATION
THAT THE CORPORATION
WAS NOT COMING TO THE
2ND FORTRESS THAT DAY
THE 4TH FORTRESS
SUPPORTING GROUPS
ARE ATTACKED
THE GUARDS ARE SO
VIGILANT...
THAT PEASANTS OF OTHER FORTRESSES
ARE UNABLE TO APPROACH
Stop!
THE HILL WHERE THE
2ND FORTRESS IS BUILT
Stop it!
Now the riot police is committing
atrocities against us peasants.
They are trying to crush our
tunnels with machines.
Those in the tunnels,
be careful.
I can't look any longer.
It's so cruel.
We can't go to rescue them, either.
Murderers!
Stop it! You beasts!
You might kill them!
They'll die!
Murderers!
Go home!
It's my land.
Show your certificate!
Certificate? Who's carrying
a certificate at such a moment!
Go home.
Don't kill people.
Stand back! You're in danger.
Who's causing danger, eh?
Stand back!
You're the one who brought
danger here!
Look down there!
There are many wounded.
That's murder!
Just look at them!
SEVERAL FORTRESSES HAD
BEEN DESTROYED UNTIL THIS DAY
The students in the fortress
may have already been arrested.
They had no time to get away.
It's bad.
This is real bad.
They've got the law to
do whatever they want.
This is what the State does.
Will such fact be forgotten?
Never!
Prime Minister Sato and the
Prefectural Governor may have been...
...dealing well with politics...
But look what they've done now.
Whatever they may have done
is nullified.
They'll have nightmares
from now on.
They'll be horrified of
what they've done.
They've never even tried to convince us.
That's "National Policy!"
I've really understood that
it's a nasty world.
They do such diabolical things.
How frightening Power can be.
I'm no longer grateful to the
State.
But such bad times won't last long.
It's like land tenure in the
old days.
In the old days, people were resigned
to oppression.
But we have a proper
constitution now.
Nevertheless, they rob us of
land, by hook or by crook...
When it's necessary to them.
They're even worse than bailiffs.
I'm an ignorant peasant...
But the State permits private
property when they don't need it...
To have us tend it and
to levy heavy taxes...
Then once they need it, no matter
when, they seize it like this.
This is the true maladministration.
The Government talks about having
respect for human life...
But if this is respecting human life,
people will be buried alive in the tunnels.
And we can't really interfere.
??? can we express
our
How???
We must be always alert.
They come with thousands of riot
police and chase people away.
What they're doing is a
pitiless and sneaking plot!
It's an intrigue!
Even children are taking part
with all their efforts.
We could never lose our spirit.
I'm stubborn.
We must hand???
They've committed a real cruelty.
They cut down trees
while people were up in them.
They won't???
They've come up with machines...
And if somebody???
they'd say,
...before???
We must think of the tunnels in
terms of such a possibility.
Let's make our strategy.
They are pack of madmen.
They can't be???
They're???
The Government??? itself
dog.
It's like???
If you think they're???
The Government is afraid we'd
revolt and overthrow it.
They want to exterminate us.
Even if they exterminate us,
they can't exterminate??? peasants!
In the land??? struggle
The spirit will be inherited for
many generations.
???
The blood will remain.
Surely.
???
There will be people who'll???
Our blood will be inherited by
???
We must reconsider the tactic of
going into the tunnels.
I get up at 3 in the morning
and go to the fortress...
Even if I can't be of any help
to the struggle...
I can't stay at home.
I come here everyday, rain or shine.
It makes you mad to be jeered at
by the traitors.
When we first started our struggle...
The Socialist Party said we could
easily win through...
lawsuit and the National Diet.
Did the chairman and others come
here even once?
Did they ever challenge the
Government and the National Diet?
They've never done anything.
We can't rely on any political
party.
No political party to rely on.
LET'S ENTER THE TUNNEL
This part is loose
and may crumble in.
The toilet is to the right.
The toilet was once in
front outside.
This entrance was once very wide.
But that was inconvenient. So
we had to narrow it down.
We had to move the
toilet inside.
We'd thought the ventilation
opening would take away the smell...
But the smell doesn't go away.
VENTILATION OPENING
Look! The flame gets this small.
It means that this much
air is coming in.
The flame gets bigger here.
Such a difference...
Means you can get fresh
air down here.
Here it's entirely different.
The ventilation opening down there
is much bigger.
The wind is stronger and it's
almost cold.
Entirely different.
Even a small ventilation opening
takes in a lot of fresh air.
Are there many of them?
Only one here.
But some elsewhere.
The flame doesn't change
around here.
There is no breeze.
But here it gets so small.
A CORNER OF THE PASSAGE
It's cracking and may crumble with
a slightest shock.
This part is also very soft.
I don't like this crack either.
Perhaps the ground has fallen
and made all those cracks.
It may tumble down on this side.
This crevice is not shallow.
It may be dangerous.
It may cave in at any touch.
You see?
This is a most frightening crevice.
Such crevices are all over the
passage, if you look carefully.
LET'S GO INTO THE ROOM
First of all, we talked over what
kind of rooms we should build.
Nobody had experienced digging
habitable tunnels.
At first, we thought of using
wooden planks...
To support ceilings and walls.
But we decided on logs
in view of long fight to come.
Several households offered
pine and cedar logs.
We chose big stout logs,
and prepared the material.
We carried the logs on trucks,
spending half a day.
Next day we started building the
rooms.
We didn't use old wood.
The logs are mainly pines.
We call this room No. 1.
We used best materials here
for it's near the entrance.
In order to construct the logs
inside the tunnel.
We couldn't dig out the ceiling
because it was rock bed...
So we worked hard digging out the
floor and shortening the logs.
As for how we made the floor...
We laid a few logs on the ground
and arranged planks on them.
Then we spread straw about
30cm deep, and put straw-mats on it.
At last we could spread mattresses.
We hardly feel the cold or the moisture
from underneath.
But moisture is steadily penetrating
for it's earth just outside the logs.
Bugs have began to come in the
morning. We have to use insecticide.
Where do they come from?
It seems rats are thriving, too.
They seem to be running about.
They nibble at our crackers.
Usually we use sleeping bags...
But few peasants know
how to use sleeping bags.
At first we obeyed instructions.
We crawled legs first into the bag...
and closed the zippers.
The entire body is covered
and only the face is out up here.
It's as if one slept
standing at attention.
But nowadays...
we reverse it and place only our legs
in it.
We don't close the zippers, and
we cover ourselves with it.
We feel much more comfortable
this way.
The sleeping bag...
...may be used properly when
you're sleeping outdoors...
and when you don't have a mattress.
But it's much better to use it like
this when you have the mattress.
It's not so cold inside the tunnel.
The frontage of this room
is actually very wide.
If the riot police step in,
we can lose the front door.
The door is now half closed
and other half can be closed by grating.
This clamp is for fastening the wire.
A similar clamp is up there, too.
We can lock the grating by
fastening it at two places.
Then the entire front is
protected by the grating.
When we constructed this room,
we've built it somewhat inclined.
It threatened to fall towards
the front door.
So we protected it by a prop.
That prop is not a decoration.
This room is awry as a whole.
We have shovels ready here
as well as in the toilet.
Such tools are placed in all rooms.
We memorize where things are kept
in case of emergency.
And here...
This is a shelf for holding
cups and bowls.
You???
We're all men here.
We eat together, or drink together...
Well, we don't drink more than
a glass or two.
Nobody cares much about tiding up.
We tidy up when???
before us leave???
We eat or drink with them, but
we don't tidy up afterwards.
I suppose this is a man's???
Soya sauce and candles
are kept on each room.
The white bottle is for drinking water.
Water is distributed to everyone.
We have no worries about food either.
In principle we are not to touch
the supplies...
Except in case of emergency.
But we nibble at them from time to time.
The Room No. 2 is down there.
We must walk over 10 meters
if we use the usual passage.
So we have dug here a shortcut.
It was small at first...
but it got bigger
as the earth got trampled down.
Let's go.
We only had simple plans
when we first started digging.
But we've thought of many things
while digging.
It changed to somewhere
we could live normally.
This tunnel was dug only by the peasants,
because it could be dangerous.
We decided not to let the
supporting students come in...
and admitted only the peasants.
We've also excluded peasants
who are not too healthy.
We have 4 healthy men in
each tunnel.
As we are all selected for
healthiness...
We can easily stay here for
weeks and weeks.
No one complains about feeling
stuffy.
Everyone is ready to stay here
even if one dies.
You prefer the tunnel you dug
yourself?
That's right.
Though we sort of casually
started digging...
Once we were to live here...
We naturally used
the strongest materials.
That's human instinct.
We have absolutely faith in
the sturdiness of each room.
We are afraid of entering
other peasants' tunnels.
We won't dream of staying overnight
in other tunnels.
We'd come out as soon as possible.
We have no worries as long as
we are in our own tunnel.
But we are afraid of cave-ins
when we're in the other tunnels.
Though they're not so flimsily made.
We don't mind staying for days
in our own tunnel.
It was made by peasants without
my knowledge.
We spent much time and labor
in assembling logs.
To adjust the length, we had to
dig the ground and cut the logs.
It's a simple matter to build
such room above the ground...
But underground construction
was different. It wasn't easy.
Even if they come with machines...
Of course it will be crushed
easily with bulldozers.
But we all are ready to
defend till the last.
We won't give up our land.
MARCH 25TH
THIS DAY SEVERAL TUNNELS
WERE DESTROYED BUT
NOT THOSE INSIDE THE
1ST AND THE 2ND FORTRESS
You workers, students, peasants
and citizens...
...who have gathered there
today - unite.
This is the Peasants' Broadcasting
Tower.
We have dug fortresses
deep under the earth...
And are still continuing to fight...
...in order to crash the violence
of the State.
Sanrizuka is still alive.
Sanrizuka is living.
There is no doubt that buds will
sprout from this ground in spring.
The victory will be ours.
In order to smash the
violence of the State...
We ask you workers, students and
citizens to be with us.
LATE IN APRIL
Let's change.
The air is bad!
I can't go to the field
before 7 tomorrow morning.
I'll sleep late tomorrow.
I hardly wake up before
noon these days.
Somehow I sleep on.
Few young people like to
become peasants nowadays.
Parents are pleased just
to see us in the fields.
My mother said to me...
How good it was to see a young man
like me become a peasant.
She has true understanding.
But really young people don't
work on farms nowadays.
It's hard work.
Yes, hard work,
especially at first.
Where will this
tunnel lead to?
The peasants of the second fortress
Production Staff: Haruo Nosaka,
Toshio Iizuka, Nobuyuki Kikuchi
Directed by Shinsuke Ogawa
Photographed by Masaki Tamura
Sound by Koichi Asanuma
PRODUCED IN MAY, 1971