Wife of a Spy

Members of the Japanese military police seize and arrest a British silk merchant on charges of espionage. In 1940, Yūsaku Fukuhara (Takahashi) runs an international import-export business in Kobe. After the arrest, and subsequent release, of the British merchant, a unit of the military police arrive at his office. Taiji (Higashide), the recently-promoted leader of the unit and a childhood friend of Yūsaku's wife, warns Yūsaku that relevant authorities are keeping an eye on him under the National Mobilization Law, in part because of his preference for Western clothing, imported goods, and close contact with foreigners. Yūsaku is unconcerned with the growing tension in society and unaffected by Taiji's visit. The British merchant says goodbye to Yūsaku and Satoko (Aoi) at their home and tells them he is going to Shanghai as he can no longer do business in Japan.