A long line of grave stones at New National Theatre Tokyo

It is the fall of 1938. Japan is ruled by a military-led government, and fascism is on the rise. Swept along on the tides of nationalism and totalitarianism, the universities are in danger of losing their autonomy and academic freedom.
Economics professor Yamana, a liberal, is the lone voice arguing against his reformist colleagues, who support the Ministry of Education's restrictions on university autonomy. Yamana's former students, including assistant professor Kinosaki, an assistant named Hanazato, and Chiba (who is now a reporter) wait with breathless interest to see what becomes of Yamana.
Yamana wins the battle; but Chiba points out that the victory may result in his being forced out of the university, and that he may have put himself in personal danger. Chiba suggests that Yamana renounce his views, but Yamana refuses.
The government immediately bans Yamana's writings, and he is pressured to resign. Murakami, dean of the department, asks Yamana to resign on his own accord, for the sake of university autonomy; the paradox is not lost on him. But Yamana refuses, countering that to betray his beliefs would be to betray his very humanity.
Kinosaki and Hanazato receive word of Yamana's suspension. The two submit their resignations to the university, but have a change of heart and decide to go back to their jobs. Yamana is stunned to learn of the men's betrayal.
Move forward to 1944. Amid the ominous wail of air-raid sirens, the now-jobless Yamana spends his days glued to his desk, engaged in his studies like a man possessed. As he predicted, the situation in the country has gotten steadily worse. One day Kinosaki arrives. He is now a full professor. He tells Yamana that Hanazato has been killed in action. With his mind failing, Yamana presses Kinosaki on his beliefs on libertarian socialism.