Riding the East Wind

The diplomatic intricacies of Japanese-American relations on the eve of Pearl Harbor and the terrible conflicts faced by a Japanese army pilot who is half-American are the rich material of bestselling Japanese author Kaga's compelling English-language debut. First published in Japan in 1982, and based on actual events and people whose names have been changed, the story focuses on the Kurushima family: Saburo, a pro-American Japanese diplomat sent to the U.S. to broker a last-minute peace agreement; his American wife, Alice, who genuinely loves her husband's native land; and their only son, Ken, an aviation engineer who becomes a pilot. Through Saburo, Kaga skillfully reveals the friction between the Japanese military command, who were eager to start a war with America, and the Japanese diplomats who felt their country could not win such a confrontation. Reproducing authentic communiqu s between the two countries, the author evokes the mounting tensions that climaxed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, with the unsuspecting Saburo learning of his country's horrific actions from an irate U.S. secretary of state. The rigors of military conflict are detailed in the second half of the book, which follows Ken's transformation from an idealistic technician who dreams of designing and flying a superior plane to a resigned soldier who fights for his country despite knowing it is a losing battle. Ken's double allegiance torments him, adding intrigue to the fast-moving plot. Kaga reveals fascinating information about Japan's difficulties with ill-made aircraft, inadequate production facilities and an antiquated approach to aviation and military strategy. Although Levy's translation is sometimes stilted (particularly in rendering dialogue), the book delivers a powerful message about the consequences of war. (Nov.)