Beat Takeshi

Beat Takeshi to play war criminal Hideki Tojo in TV drama

Wednesday 15th October, 05:29 AM JST

TOKYO —

Comedian and film director Beat Takeshi, 61, will play the role of class-A war criminal Hideki Tojo in a special TBS drama titled “What the War Meant.” The drama will document three months before the Pacific War between September to December in 1941, featuring the political confrontation between politicians and ministries in the decision-making process.

Tojo was not only prime minister but ran several different ministries at the same time during the war.

The broadcast date has not yet been decided, according to TBS.

Latest 15 of 29 Total Comments Show All

thepro at 09:52 AM JST - 15th October

Lets see if they portray him as a 'tortured soul' who was only doing what he thought was best for beautiful Japan!
Altria at 10:34 AM JST - 15th October

A TBS drama eh? I'm predicting additional crimes against broadcasting.
medievaltimes at 10:47 AM JST - 15th October

All those responsible for the war, on all sides, should be viewed with distaste and disgust. If we do not, we risk allowing petty sentimentality to lead us down the road to the arrogance and short sightedness that leads to war.

I don't feel distaste and disgust for America, U.K., Russia and the allies. I feel thankful they won the war. If Japan, Germany and Italy won, the world would be a much more terrible place today.

It's hard for people to undersand, but there are some things worth fighting for.

Moderator: Readers, please focus your comments on Beat Takeshi's drama.
medievaltimes at 10:53 AM JST - 15th October

Isn't it nice how winners of wars can put labels on the losers.

Isn't it nice how one loser has problems with history and one doesn't?
fatloser at 11:04 AM JST - 15th October

Shouldn't it say Prime Minister??????????????? He will be playing the role of Prime Minister not war criminal.
techall at 11:13 AM JST - 15th October

From the title, "What the war meant", it seems that this will be a broader topic than a Tojo bio.
GeorgeRoper at 12:17 PM JST - 15th October

Playing Tojo is like playing Hitler. I hope they don't twist history, because Japan is famous for it, even in England.
coulrophobic at 12:39 PM JST - 15th October

ECC is behind this. Seen the posters on the train. They taught him German and dyed his hair blond.
usaexpat at 12:04 AM JST - 16th October

I Like Beat Takeshi, I think he should be good in the role
beavis at 10:58 AM JST - 16th October

Zatoichi rules!!!
Betting at 01:10 PM JST - 16th October

It'll be interesting to see the spin they put on this movie, war-criminal or a misunderstood patriot doing this best for Japan.

A few months ago I watched a fairly new Japanese movie about the Cowra breakout in Australia. It seemed to stick to history quite well, so we can only hope with this new movie about Tojo it will be (fairly) historically accurate.
soothsayer at 08:25 PM JST - 16th October

rjd_jr,

Now why would he want to play such a person? Come on Beat, stick to what you do best, gangsters.

But he is, my dear rjd, he is!
soothsayer at 08:29 PM JST - 16th October

All those responsible for the war, on all sides, should be viewed with distaste and disgust. If we do not, we risk allowing petty sentimentality to lead us down the road to the arrogance and short sightedness that leads to war.

Medieval times, I don't remember England invading Poland, or the U.S. Korea, China, Singapore and Hawaii. In other words, read some history before you post, as I imagine Beat Takeshi has! ( Hope that's "on topic" enough for you, JT!)
soothsayer at 08:39 PM JST - 16th October

Medieval times,

Sorry, I should read posts more carefully. Behind you all the way, mate!

Tatanka,

Go and spray paint your ultranationalist fatigues and your black van hot pink, and then watch the movie before posting about stuff you don't understand. Then think about what deliberately causing the deaths of millions of people might cause YOU to be labelled! And the have a nice life. Peace!
presto345 at 09:28 PM JST - 16th October

He'll have to do something about his hair, undye it redye it. And shave some off.