Young women at a precision optics factory in wartime Japan push to exceed production quotas, enduring illness, injury, and personal hardship to “serve the country.” Led by Tsuru Watanabe, they fight fatigue and setbacks to keep their line moving—even when duty collides with grief.


Takako Irie
Noriko Mizushima, dorm mother

Yôko Yaguchi
Tsuru Watanabe, president of women workers
Sayuri Tanima
Yuriko Tanimura, vice president of women workers

Sachiko Ozaki
Sachiko Yamazaki

Shizuko Nishigaki
Fusae Nishioka