I'm no longer in Japan now. Anyway, just saw an interview on Larry King Live, a U.S. talk show, that included Clint Eastwood and Watanabe Ken. Basically, Eastwood got to talk about the why and how he made the companion film to Flags of Our Fathers, a story about some U.S. soldiers who fought on the island in 1945.

After Eastwood praised Watanabe's portrayal as Japanese General Kuribayashi who led the island's defenders during the battle, Watanabe revealed how little he really knew prior to starting on this film about this period of Japanese history. To those of us who have lived in Japan, this comes as no surprise. Using that lack of knowledge as a starting point, Watanabe said he dove hard into study to learn about the war and understand his character better. Larry King said he ought to at least garner an academy award nomination. (I'm rooting for Rudy Youngblood of Apocalypto.)

I heard this movie has already opened in Japan and was wondering if anyone there can give me an idea of the response to the film.

I will watch this movie soon. and I will give you my opinion.

I heard it's pretty good.

You can see some interesting reponses at http://blog.livedoor.jp/jiyuu_shikan/