Babylon (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Chase - full transcript

This is an update on the train status
in the metropolitan region.

Many lines have stopped due to fatal accidents.

There are many sections that are not in operation.
It is unknown when they will resume...

AKASAKA
AKASAKA GRAND HOTEL

Twenty-four hours have elapsed
since Kaika Itsuki's declaration.

The number of suicides that have been reported
throughout Japan

has climbed to 237, which is four times the normal rate.

So where is he?

We still don't know the whereabouts of Kaika Itsuki
or those who aided him.

That video of Itsuki was just an online stream.

Itsuki wasn't in the city hall building.
His supporters at the site



had already disappeared by the time it happened.

They're like religious fanatics.

That's exactly what it is.
Those people who jumped off the building

are like religious disciples affected by Itsuki's words.

Can we just write them off
as religious fanatics?

What do you mean, Sekuro?

As stated in the report just now, Japan has
one of the worst suicide rates in the world.

If we don't take suicide seriously,
the situation might get out of hand.

Itsuki's manifesto isn't the problem.

Our biggest problem

is that the man who created that manifesto
is out of our control now.

Morinaga. Will you be able to arrest Itsuki?

It depends on his next move. But, we have to try.

KASUMIGASEKI
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE



Nomaru acts like it's easy.

Maybe he thinks we're the police.

We have the authority to investigate and command.
He's not completely wrong.

If we could use that authority out in the open,
this wouldn't be so hard.

YOSHIFUMI SEKURO
VICE MINISTER OF JUSTICE

Let's review what we know.

As we all know,

the Shiniki initiative is a huge project.

Shiniki spans 600 square kilometers
inhabited by 2 million residents.

The project includes plans for development
of all types of industries.

But, Shiniki also has another purpose.

A testing ground for a nation.

The main purpose of Shiniki is to apply new laws.

A large amount of labor power is being spent
to accomplish that. In other words,

Shiniki's biggest weapon

is its laws and systems.

Arresting Itsuki isn't going to solve everything.

It's going to be difficult to show
Itsuki did something illegal.

That's it. Under the current laws of Japan,

you cannot press charges against someone
for legalizing suicide.

Would Article 202 apply to the case of group suicide?

ARTICLE 202
CRIMES IN AIDING SUICIDE, CONSENTED HOMICIDE

We can't classify it as a contract murder
or consensual homicide.

No one pushed them off the building.

No one was directly involved in their deaths.

It might be possible to classify it as
abetting or aiding suicide,

- but it'd be difficult to demonstrate he aided the suicide.
- Dead men tell no tales.

CRIME OF ABETTING SUICIDE
INSTIGATING SUICIDE

The only possibility is proving
that he abetted the suicide.

Yes. If we find any e-mails or documents,
we could pursue the case.

I'm going to look for evidence that Itsuki encouraged
those 64 people to commit suicide.

Once we know the charges,
we'll be able to issue a warrant publicly.

Can you find him?

I'll need help. I'll need as many
full time-investigators as possible.

From Special Investigations? Or the police?

From both, if possible.

They'll be here in two to three days.

- Thank you.
- My God.

What a ridiculous situation.

He made 64 people commit suicide

and caused over 200 more to commit suicide after that.

But, we still can't find any laws to get him with.

Is it because the law is deficient?
Or because...?

Hey, Seizaki.

Is suicide really a bad thing?

How is the public reacting?

The majority are against it, but...

I SUPPORT IT
3.4%

- Ninety thousand people?
- I bet they're thinking about euthanasia.

Euthanasia can be classified into passive euthanasia
and active euthanasia.

They're both considered suicide since they're
conducted according to the will of the patient.

Passive euthanasia is already practiced around the world
as one form of end-of-life care.

Many countries have legalized it.

On the other hand, most countries don't officially
allow active euthanasia yet.

However, it has been discussed in recent years
as one type of informed consent.

What I'm trying to say is that

I'd feel hesitant about it if Japan
was the only one with that law,

but since many other countries
are already doing it, it lowers the barrier.

But, Shiniki's suicide laws clearly go far beyond that.

Is that why only 3 percent of the public supports it?

- Do you think it's going to increase?
- There's a good chance that'll happen.

It all depends on Itsuki's next move.

Next move? What do you think he'll do?

In the original plan, the parliamentary election
comes next.

They were supposed to hold an election
for the Shiniki parliament.

Shiniki doesn't have a parliament yet.

- Hello?
- Seizaki.

I'm sending you an assistant officer first. She's only 23,
but she used to be a court assistant.

She's particularly knowledgeable about law.

What about the Shiniki initiative?

I told her about it. Make good use of her.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

I'm Public Prosecutor's Assistant Officer Hiasa Sekuro.

I'm going to be your assistant officer
starting today.

Sekuro?

He's the Vice Minister of Justice.

Yoshifumi Sekuro is my uncle.

I see.

How do you write "Hiasa"?

With the characters for sun and flax.

I don't care even if you hate me or the Shiniki initiative.

As long as you'll do the job of an assistant officer.

If you can't, I'll replace you.

No. I can do it.

Understood.

Is Asuma still sleeping?

Sorry.

Yeah. I'll call again.

Sekuro. What are those?

Casebooks for each law. I'm verifying the prosecution
facts and the prosecution validity.

Did you find any problems with the direction
of Shiniki's laws?

No. Shiniki has been given operational freedom
that exceeds the laws of the local government.

There's nothing wrong with their laws as of now.
They must have prepared the laws carefully.

What about the parliamentary election?

Instituting a parliament is mandatory, but...

Itsuki has no chance of winning if they hold
an honest election.

It'll probably be announced in private. I think they'll keep
the announcement as quiet as possible--

We have breaking news.
It's a story related to Shiniki.

Just now, around 7 a.m., Kaika Itsuki, the mayor
of Shiniki, posted a video online...

I found the video.

I'm Kaika Itsuki, the mayor of Shiniki.

I'd like to say hello

to all the residents of Shiniki,
and everyone in Japan.

Suicide law.

A new regional law went into effect in Shiniki recently.

The new law recognizes the right to death.

It's called the suicide law.

I can't believe he's issuing a statement
in such a public way.

- It's incomprehensible.
- Suicide numbers have increased.

I'm sure you all know that many people have committed
suicide, prompting a discussion about the new law.

I am aware that many people
are opposed to the suicide law.

The purpose of the law is to contribute
to the happiness of the people.

A law that no one wants cannot exist.

If the people are opposed to it,
then that law should be abolished.

Well, how should we determine that?

Our country's political system
is a democracy. It's very simple.

- You just have to count the numbers.
- We have to think things through again.

We should hold a vote

- What do you mean?
- in regards to the suicide law and ask the people.

Twelve days from today,
we're going to hold an election

to select the representatives for Shiniki's parliament.

This is just one possibility.

But, maybe Itsuki thinks that the public really
is going to approve of the suicide law.

Hello. I'm Hanta, from the local news section
of the Konichi newspaper.

Public Prosecutor Seizaki, contact between
public prosecutors and reporters is prohibited.

I know.

Did I do something wrong?

No. Don't worry about it.

Then let's begin.

To begin with, they have a dangerous election system.

Let's start from the top. Clause number one.
It's already dangerous.

There's two key points. First, the fact that
the voting is done by local residents is normal.

However, there's no requirement
on period of residence.

- That means...
- Anyone can get the right to vote on the spot.

Nonetheless, this is too simple.

It's just as you said, Ms. Sekuro.

This sentence is also lacking another part
that's supposed to be in the clause.

- An age limit.
- That's right.

Even babies can vote
in Shiniki's parliamentary election.

If they vote online,
then the parents can vote twice.

That means that anything can happen
with the children's votes.

And the second clause.

Anyone with the right to vote. In other words,
even children can run for election.

I can only think that
they weren't seeking control to begin with.

And the last clause.
Honestly, this is the creepiest one.

I think it means exactly what it says.

They want to make every candidate
declare their stance on the suicide law

and make it the focus of the election.

Even though only 3 percent of the public supports it?

If they make that the focus of the election,
then the election results are obvious.

The purpose of that clause is to aid the candidates.

What do you mean?

Itsuki doesn't have a political party.
However, according to these laws,

the candidates will be split into those who support
or oppose the suicide law.

In other words, the supporters
would become part of Itsuki's faction.

But, even if they were able to have a candidate run,
it would be pointless if the candidate couldn't win.

KASUMIGASEKI
POLICE DEPARTMENT MAIN HEADQUARTERS

I'm the director of Investigation Unit 1, Torao.

I'm Seizaki, a public prosecutor
from the Special Investigations Team.

How much have they told you?

They said they're building a special team
for investigating the Shiniki incident.

The investigation team is going to focus on
Kaika Itsuki, the mayor of Shiniki, in particular.

- How much have you heard about the Shiniki initiative?
- The Shiniki initiative?

Then first, let's share information.

So you're saying that this investigation team
is going to be behind the scenes too.

This is going to be tough for both of us.

Yeah.

What kind of team do you want to put together?

Please choose people who can work at the scene.

And can you get someone
who's not from headquarters?

- No problem.
- Get one person, please.

And get someone from the Sixth.

Six?

Yes.

SEXUAL CRIME INVESTIGATIONS

AKASAKA
RESTAURANT KINGETSU

How's Hiasa?

She's extremely smart. She's the best out of
all the assistant officers I've worked with until now.

But, unfortunately, she doesn't like me.

Sorry. She can be a perfectionist.

It's not her fault.

That's right.

We just brought her here.

How's it going with Itsuki?
Is it going to be difficult to get him?

Yes. Kaika Itsuki has gone through
all the correct procedures.

He's been acting in a way that makes it hard for us
to arrest him or sue him.

Where is he?

We still don't know. The fact that we don't know
how to charge him is hampering the investigation.

We're falling behind.

Everything's been going according to his plan.
Even his announcement of the election law yesterday.

But...

that election law shows his most vulgar taste.

That young rascal is trying to go up against me
using politics.

You're the one who made him into a politician, right?
He's a strong opponent.

Itsuki certainly had the passion
to get the people involved.

But, he's gone too far with the suicide law. He overturned
the enthusiasm that he built up during the election

when he announced the suicide law.

He doesn't understand how fickle
public sentiment is and it shows just how young he is.

Tomorrow, I'm going to announce that
I'm running for the parliamentary election.

You want to beat Itsuki in the election?

Elections are home territory for us. Itsuki's
chance of winning is less than one in 10,000.

We will regain control over Shiniki.

Of course, I want you to continue investigating Itsuki.

Politics and the law. If we corner him from both sides,
he won't be able to get away.

I don't understand politics. I'll leave that to you.

Politics isn't difficult, Seizaki.

The meaning of politics

is to unify the wills of different people.

Is something wrong?

No. I just feel weird saying your name
because it's the same as the vice minister.

Please get used to it.

Public Prosecutor Seizaki.

What's wrong?

Someone posted a video related
to the parliamentary election.

The person who posted it is just a normal boy.

But, the video went viral online
because of how shocking it is.

My name is Taiyo.

My father

is trying to commit suicide, in accordance
with the suicide law announced in Shiniki.

I told my father that

I didn't want him to do it. But...

even when it's about suicide,

he won't listen to me.

People of the nation...

please save my father.

WATCH AGAIN

Hello.

- Thanks for coming all this way.
- Enough with the flattery.

The headquarters summoned me. I couldn't say no.

You could have said no. You knew it was me
who summoned you, right?

Nothing's going to happen later even if you say no.

I know. That's why I came. I know you don't have
a lot of friends.

But, maybe I shouldn't have been worried.

- You've got a beautiful woman with you.
- I'm Sekuro, the public prosecutor's assistant officer.

She's five times more useful than Fumio.
No. Ten times.

Well, that depends on how valuable Fumio is.

Has everyone told you already?

Mr. Torao already explained.

The goal of the special investigation team is to arrest
Kaika Itsuki, the mayor of Shiniki.

In order to accomplish that, there are two key things.

The first is to find where Itsuki went.

The second is to clarify the charges against Itsuki.

We're going to divide into two teams:
The investigation team and the criminal charges team.

Since the Special Investigations Office is helping,

does that mean a warrant will be issued soon?

I've already prepared it.

Oh, well, thanks.

As for the criminal charges against Itsuki,
the first one that comes to mind is abetment of suicide.

As for the 64 people who jumped off Shiniki City Hall,
I want you to find proof that Itsuki drove them

to commit suicide, or directed them to do so.

I know we don't have enough manpower or time,
but please do your best.

Yes.

And you, Lieutenant Tsutsui from Section 6.
I want you to investigate this woman.

You're saying they're the same woman?

If what you're saying is true,
then she must be a really dangerous woman.

What was her name?

Ai Magase.

TEN DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION

Regarding the investigation on Itsuki,

We've been questioning people in Shiniki
and examining security camera footage.

But, we still haven't been able to find him.

9 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION

- We'll widen the search area and keep trying.
- Next, the criminal charges team.

We examined the online activity of the 64 people
who jumped from the city hall.

But, we haven't found any evidence that they
made contact with Itsuki.

We found one thing that over 80 percent
of the suicide victims had in common.

The red dots show the victims' addresses.

Eighty percent of the victims
were residents of Shiniki.

The addresses were within
a 20 kilometer radius of city hall.

If it wasn't abetment,

it would be unlikely to find 60 people nearby
who wanted to commit suicide.

There's no doubt that it was abetment.

But, we can't find any proof.

Can you find out what the 64 victims
were doing right before the suicide?

We know for a few of them.
Do you want to know about everyone?

As much as possible. On October 6,

until 2:30 p.m. when they showed up
on the roof of city hall.

I want you to find out what they were doing in detail.

I see. Maybe the 64 victims gathered somewhere
right before they committed suicide.

If we could find evidence that Itsuki made contact
with them there...

Our strategy remains the same.
I want you to continue the investigation.

Everyone. Please make the best use
of the time that's left.

- All right. That's it for today.
- Yes, sir.

This is Tsutsui.

Did you uncover anything?

Yes. A few things.

First, about his family.

Everyone who was living at his family home in Tochigi
has passed away already.

His parents and grandparents have all passed away.

And I heard from his school

that there was an incident
when he was in middle school.

An incident?

There was some trouble between him
and one of his classmates.

He went to the hospital frequently for a while.

What do you think? Do you want me to dig into this?

I'll take care of it on my side.
Tsutsui, try to find out where he is now.

Roger that.

Public Prosecutor Seizaki, what's that?

Some bad data.

AI MAGASE

The story, names, characters, places, locations, and laws
in this work are fictitious.

No identification with actual ideas
or beliefs is intended.