London: Late Emperor of Japan

Journalists congregate outside the Japanese embassy in London following the announcement of the death of the Emperor Meiji.

The Pathé’s Animated Gazette newsreel presents a group of Japanese expatriates visiting the Embassy of Japan in London, where a few journalists await, camera in hand. Emperor Meiji died on 30 July 1912, and the news had a significant impact on the Japanese public. One senior military officer, General Nogi Maresuke, committed ritual suicide with his wife shortly after the Emperor's funeral. In this film, however, Japanese gentlemen seem to be unmoved, some even grinning and smoking a cigar. (Kosuke Fujiki)