Makoto Shinkai's new film 'Suzume' mourns Japan's deserted towns

'Your Name' anime director tries to find somewhere for country to 'go next'

Suzume, a 17-year-old high school girl, meets a young man named Sota, looking for "Doors of Disaster" across Japan to shut and lock them. © Suzume no Tojimari Production Committee

NORIKO SEKIHARA, Nikkei staff writer

November 19, 2022 13:00 JST

TOKYO -- Anime director Makoto Shinkai's latest work tells the story of Japan's struggle to find "a place to go next" through the adventures of a girl who closes "Doors of Disaster." His new film, "Suzume no Tojimari" ("Suzume Locking Up the Door"), premiered on Nov. 11.