No Regrets for Our Youth 1946

1933: Protests at Kyoto Imperial University

The film opens with students protesting Japan's invasion of Manchuria. Prominent professor Yagihara is relieved of his post because of his views against fascism. The scene establishes the tense political climate that shapes the characters' futures.

Noge's arrest and four-year imprisonment

Following the anti-militarist protest, Noge disappears and spends four years in prison. The harsh crackdown foreshadows the personal sacrifices he and Yukie will endure. This period marks the first major interruption in their lives.

Noge released; Itokawa's update to Yukie

By the time Itokawa, now a government prosecutor, tells Yukie where Noge is, Noge has been out of jail for a year. Itokawa asserts that Noge has ‘converted’ from his radical days, a claim tied to government influence. Yukie begins to grapple with the transformed man she once knew.

Dinner at the Yagihara residence

Itokawa brings Noge to the Yagihara home for a family dinner. Professor Yagihara reiterates that Noge’s release was conditioned on his conversion, a point Noge confirms. Yukie observes the changed man and feels unsettled by the differences between then and now.

Noge departs for China

After the dinner, Noge leaves for China, creating distance between him and Yukie. She resolves to chart her own path rather than cling to the past. His departure acts as a catalyst for her later choices.

Yukie moves to Tokyo for three years

With Noge gone, Yukie packs for Tokyo and takes menial jobs for three years to survive. The period tests her resilience and independence. She encounters Itokawa intermittently, keeping a thread to Noge through the changing times.

Reunion, romance, and marriage in Tokyo

Yukie eventually discovers that Noge is in Tokyo and they renew their relationship. They spend several years together and eventually marry. The marriage takes place amid the uncertainties and pressures of wartime Japan.

Noge's dangerous activities and arrest

Noge becomes involved in dangerous and illegal schemes, though Yukie agrees not to know the specifics. He is arrested the night before his plan is to take effect, casting a shadow over their life together. The arrest underscores the peril surrounding dissent in wartime Japan.

Interrogation of Yukie and release

Yukie is interrogated but refuses to disclose information about Noge or their activities. Itokawa intervenes and frees her, restoring a fragile sense of safety. The episode magnifies the personal stakes of political repression.

Noge dies; Itokawa shares the news

Yukie's parents travel to Tokyo to meet Itokawa, who informs them that Noge died the night before. Yukie is crushed by the loss and must reassess her future. The revelation pivots her toward the countryside where Noge's family lives.

Ashes to the countryside; meeting Noge's parents

Yukie brings Noge's ashes to his parents in the countryside, where she is initially rejected as a possible wife due to suspicion and grief. She stays and works to prove her sincerity, establishing a bond with the family. The moment marks a turning point in her acceptance within the household.

Rice fields and hard labor

Yukie works in the rice fields alongside Noge's mother and father, enduring a severe fever and strenuous labor. The grueling days symbolize her commitment to the family and to a life of communal effort. She persists despite hardship to honor Noge’s memory.

Vandalism and eventual acceptance

Neighbors vandalize the couple's hard-won harvest, amplifying the community's hostility. Over time, Noge's father comes to accept Yukie, recognizing the sincerity of her devotion. The episode cements her place within the family and the village’s memory of Noge.

End of the war; honors and a renewed future

With the war's end, Professor Yagihara is reinstated and Noge is honored for anti-war efforts. The country begins rebuilding, and Yukie contemplates a future rooted in social reform rather than personal romance. The events highlight a shift toward communal responsibility.