David Suzuki and Keibo Oiwa tell an awesome story in “The Japan We Never Knew”. Both David (a Canadian of Japanese ancestry) and Keibo (a Japanese of Korean ancestry) travel throughout Japan (from Okinawa to Hokkaido) meeting with activists, rebels, and regular everyday people who are trying to make a difference in modern day Japan. Their story starts with artists who try and capture the horror of war and ends with those trying to battle Japan’s relentless onslaught on the environment. This book was a real eye opener for me and I really enjoyed the fact that David and Keibo used in approaching each subject matter. Whether it be the plight of the Ainu (the indigenous people of Japan’s islands) or the fight by the Japanese of Korean ancestry to be accepted as Japanese, the Authors give each subject the respect and depth it deserves. This is a very good read and an absolute must for anyone interested and concerned about Japan. To David and Keibo I say: “Otsukare sama deshita!” (basic translation is “thanks for all your hard work”).
http://www.amazon.com/Japan-We-Never-Knew-Discovery/dp/0773729844
ISBN-13: 978-0773729841
Category: Non-Fiction