This movie had a very troubled release in Japan. It was released in October 1960 and pulled from theaters after only three days by Shochiku. Director Nagisa Ôshima violently condemned the withdrawal in a public statement. The text reads as follows: 'I protest with indescribable anger against the massacre of Night and Fog in Japan. On behalf of us all, I, Toshirô Ishidô, all the members of the crew headed by Kô Kawamata, who participated in the film as if it was a personal matter, in this way giving depth to even the most difficult contents, all the actors, led by Fumio Watanabe who affirmed that his committed interpretation was much more than just professional, and all the people who were not directly involved in the making of the film but who collaborated to improve the result by offering criticism and suggestions as if it were one of their films, on behalf of us all, and of the pain and anger felt by everyone, I protest against the massacre of Night and Fog in Japan. Undoubtedly this massacre is an act of political repression. This is due to the fact that the film was withdrawn not because of disfavor from the audience. It is due to the way in which it was withdrawn. And if it does not depend on an act of political repression, then let us have the chance to present it to the public in just one theater, in a private association! Let the film be distributed!'
