Japan

Japan is only mentioned briefly in the first chapter of Part 1. It is the place where Kazumasa is born, grows up, first encounters the ball, and gets his first job working for the national rail service. For the rest of the novel, Japan exists in the distant memories of both Kazumasa and Hiroshi, who are busy putting down roots and forming new relationships with Brazil. However, the novel represents the existence of a Japanese diaspora in Japan, and their Brazilian neighbors treat their Japanese newcomers with kindness and affection.

New York City

New York is GGG’s original headquarters, and the city where J.B. first gets his start as a corporate executive. New York City is portrayed mostly in terms of its role as a global financial capitol, with its huge skyscrapers and booming startup businesses. It is thriving, industrious, and organized. However, the novel suggests that...