Hokuriku Proxy War (1977): Cast & Plot
Hokuriku Proxy War is a 1977 comedy drama directed by Kinji Fukasaku, starring Hiroki Matsukata as Kawada Noboru, Kō Nishimura and Sonny Chiba. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Kinji Fukasaku
- Original language
-
Japanese - Studio
- Toei Company
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hokuriku Proxy War About?
The premise of Hokuriku Proxy War without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set against the snow‑laden, wind‑blasted landscape of Japan’s Hokuriku region, Kinji Fukasaku’s groundbreaking yakuza drama pits clan loyalty against the ruthlessness of land‑driven ambition. Hiroki Matsukata portrays Noboru Kawada, a hardened gangster who will employ any tactic to survive, even if it means abandoning his parents, brothers and the very traditions that once bound him.
Hokuriku Proxy War Themes & Keywords
· 9 tags- snow
- yakuza
- frozen ground
- buried to the neck
- rape attempt
- kiss
- group
- hokuriku japan
- foreplay
Hokuriku Proxy War Cast & Characters
Hiroki Matsukata leads the cast as Kawada Noboru, with Kō Nishimura as Mr. Yasuhara and Sonny Chiba as Kanai Hachiro. Directed by Kinji Fukasaku; 49 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Kinji Fukasaku
- Hiroki Matsukata as Kawada Noboru
- Kō Nishimura as Mr. Yasuhara
- Sonny Chiba as Kanai Hachiro
- Hajime Hana as Mantani
Also Starring in Hokuriku Proxy War
· 45 more- Yumiko Nogawa Nakai Kiku
- Mikio Narita Mr. Kubo
- Junkichi Orimoto Yanaka
- Sanae Nakahara Nobu
- Ichirô Nakatani
- Nenji Kobayashi
- Tatsuo Endō
- Harumi Sone
- Masataka Iwao
- Seizō Fukumoto
- Ryuji Katagiri
- Hyôe Enoki
- Jirô Chiba Hanamaki
- Bin Amatsu
- Masataka Naruse
- Shōtarō Hayashi
Show all 49 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Takashi Noguchi
- Masaharu Arikawa
- Takeo Chii
- Shunji Sasaki
- Daisuke Awaji
- Ryō Nishida
- Kuniomi Kitani
- Ryōta Minowada
- Gorō Ibuki
- Satoru Nabe
- Yoshihiro Igarashi
- Katsutoshi Akiyama
- Isao Takanami
- Yûsuke Tsukasa
- Kazutarō Kuni
- Tetsuo Fujisawa
- Ryuji Komine
- Yoshinobu Hirose
- Yasuhiro Suzuki
- Jiro Shirai
- Akira Hirasawa
- Kōjiro Shirakawa
- Takaya Shimoyama
- Yasuo Matsumoto
- Teruo Fujinaga
- Yoko Takahashi
- Sachio Miyagi
- Fuyukichi Maki
- Jo Moriya
More from Kinji Fukasaku
More films directed by Kinji Fukasaku, best-rated first: Tora! Tora! Tora!, Battle Royale, Battle Royale II: Requiem and Battle Royale.
Hokuriku Proxy War Plot Summary
What happens in Hokuriku Proxy War from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Kawada Noboru [Hiroki Matsukata] is a peasant from Mikuni who becomes a yakuza in Fukui’s Tomiyasu Group. He starts with a promise from his boss, Mr. Yasuhara [Kō Nishimura], that he will gain control of the security business for the local speedboat racetrack if he kills Yamada. When Kawada is released from prison in 1968 and Yasuhara refuses to honor the deal, Kawada forces him to concede the rights by burying him up to the neck, a brutal move that unsettles everyone involved and signals Kawada’s ruthlessness.
Full summary
The whole story of Hokuriku Proxy War, scene by scene
Hokuriku Proxy War Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Hokuriku Proxy War.
How Well Do You Know Hokuriku Proxy War?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the peasant-turned-yakuza who is the film's main character?
Seen Hokuriku Proxy War?
Movies Like Hokuriku Proxy War
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War, Battles Without Honor and Humanity and Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima.
-
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War 1973 -
Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1973 -
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima 1973 -
Slaughter in the Snow 1973 -
Kokuho 2025 -
Onibi: The Fire Within 1997 -
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1 1974 -
The Great Okinawa Yakuza War 1976 -
Aftermath of Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1979 -
Jirocho Fuji 1959 -
Abashiri Prison 1965 -
Hell Riders in Kyoto 1973
Hokuriku Proxy War FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Hokuriku Proxy War, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hokuriku Proxy War?
Hokuriku Proxy War runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Hokuriku Proxy War released?
Hokuriku Proxy War was released on February 26, 1977.
Who directed Hokuriku Proxy War?
Hokuriku Proxy War was directed by Kinji Fukasaku.
More films by Kinji Fukasaku Who is in the cast of Hokuriku Proxy War?
Hokuriku Proxy War stars Hiroki Matsukata as Kawada Noboru, Kō Nishimura as Mr. Yasuhara and Sonny Chiba as Kanai Hachiro, among 49 credited actors.
Does Hokuriku Proxy War have a post-credit scene?
No. Hokuriku Proxy War has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Hokuriku Proxy War in?
The original language of Hokuriku Proxy War is Japanese.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
