

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.

Chief Goro Ishida

Soichi Yoshikawa, Chief of General Affairs Section

Ken Shinda, Chief of Labor Section

Noriko Mizushima, dorm mother

Tsuru Watanabe, president of women workers
Yuriko Tanimura, vice president of women workers

Sachiko Yamazaki

Fusae Nishioka

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.
Chief Goro Ishida