Kaikyô (1982)

Tsuyoshi Akutsu, a railway worker trained in geology, comes to Tappi to survey the geology in order to make the Seikan Tunnel a reality. While there, he rescues Tae, a woman who is about to throw herself from a cliff, and leaves her in the care of the owner of his regular izakaya. Having regained the will to live, Tae begins to feel a tender affection for Akutsu. A personnel transfer by Japanese National Railways sends Akutsu to Akashi, and there are times when the project makes little progress, partly because of the policies of the JNR president at the time. But after a change of president, the project suddenly begins moving forward, and Akutsu returns to Tappi. Tunnel workers also gather to dig the exploratory tunnel. Gensuke, an elderly but highly skilled tunnel worker, is reluctant to join because he hates cold places. But after being persuaded with the words, “We’re going to rebuild the route mammoths walked across 100,000 years ago,” he decides to take part. The work proves extremely difficult, with workers killed in accidents and repeated floods, and progress limited to just five meters a month. Akutsu and Gensuke clash day after day. In time, after they have reached the bottom of the inclined exploratory shaft and spent a while there, the JNR tunnel plan is formally approved. Many private companies join the construction of the main tunnel, and the work continues. As young people celebrate at the Nebuta Festival, Akutsu receives word that his father is critically ill. Just as Akutsu is preparing to go home, he hears of an unprecedented influx of water. The pilot tunnel has exceeded the pumping capacity of its pumps and is rapidly filling with water. Akutsu makes a decision.