Released a year after the American occupation of Japan ended, Kinuyo Tanaka’s directorial debut explores the professional and personal conflicts of Reikichi (Masayuki Mori), a repatriated veteran who searches for his lost love (Yoshiko Kuga) while translating romantic letters from Japanese women to American GIs. Adapted from a novel by Fumio Niwa, Love Letter depicts with incisive complexity Japanese soldiers struggling to adapt to a changed society, as well as the moral condemnation of Japanese women who became involved with the enemy. Love Letter was restored in 4K resolution by Kokusai Hoei, Co. Ltd. in cooperation with The Japan Foundation.

This film was released by the Criterion Collection in their Eclipse series box set: Kinuyo Tanaka Directs.