He is in his mid-sixties, dressed in a light gray linen suit, a white cotton shirt and a pale blue tie. Old enough to have fought in the war, I think, an almost subconscious assessment I apply to every Japanese man I have ever met.”
-- Ling (chapter 2 paragraph 6)

Importance: Ling has just met Tatsuji for the first time. This “subconscious assessment” she makes is an indication that she still thinks about the war constantly, and that it continues to make an impact on her life.

So you see, Magnus, the British made certain that no one – not a single man or woman or child who had been tortured and imprisoned or massacred by the Japs – none of them or their families can demand any form of financial reparation from the Japanese.”
-- Ling (chapter 3 paragraph 94)

Importance: Ling is furious that the peace treaty brokered with the Japanese basically says that the Japanese should pay reparations, but does not order...