Chōchin , also known as Paper Lantern, is a 1987 Japanese crime drama film directed by Shunichi Kajima. It is an adaptation of a novel by Shōji Kaneko, who died of cancer four years prior to the film's production. The screenplay was written by Goro Hanawa. It stars Takanori Jinnai in the lead role, alongside Eri Ishida, Yoshio Harada and Mariko Kaga. Toei released Chōchin on May 23, 1987, in Japan, where it was a financial success.