According to Screenwriter Winston Miller, this movie was the first post-War movie that portrayed the Japanese "as nice people."
Was originally released by RKO Radio Pictures, but was acquired and released by Universal-International after RKO closed down.
The civilian airliner is actually a U.S. Air Force Douglas HC-54D "Rescuemaster" --- a military version of the DC-4. Only 38 of this version of this plane were made as a specialist search and rescue aircraft.
Feature film debut of Roger Nakagawa as "Asahiko Tanaka," or "Hiko." He was "discovered" at an American School in Japan.
The U.S. Air Force search and rescue plane is a Grumman HU-16 "Albatross." 466 were made from 1949 to 1961. Note an early, uncredited role for Clint Eastwood at its pilot.