It is based on the 1973 short story of the same name by Yasutaka Tsutsui (a parody of the novel Japan Sinks, released the same year), which criticizes nationalism and racism.

As a result of catastrophic earthquakes, massive volcanic eruptions, and huge tsunamis, North and South America, Eurasia, Africa, Indonesia and Australia sink underwater while the Japanese islands remain untouched, thanks to the Chinese land which has sunk and gone underneath them.

At this time, the leaders of various countries, including North Korea, huddle in the darkness with a small candlelight and, finally make a short-term peace shortly before Japan sinks (one of the characters tells a rhyme about the mitten and the animals who wanted to stay there).

Kawasaki and his co-screenwriter Masakazu Migita have fun with stereotypes and nationalist sentiments, but the main characters play their roles fairly straight.

[7] The film was also noted for its sarcastic portrayal of Shintaro Ishihara easily identifiable in the character of Shinsaburô Ishiyama, Japanese Minister of Defence invariably replying "No!"