Japan: Cast of Directors

The question before the special meeting of the board of directors was as difficult as it was unique. Kokichi Obata, 57, managing director of Japan's Nagano radio and television network, wanted to take a leave of absence. And for what reason, director-san? Why, to be a movie star—to play the role of Admiral Nomura, Japan's prewar ambassador in Washington in Tora! Toraf, Tora!, Darryl Zanuck's multimillion-dollar spectacular about the attack on Pearl Harbor. The board members were dumfounded. Eventually, says Obata, they agreed because "they were convinced that if I could help...