As the American mother of two Japanese-American "hybrids" (yet another moniker for hafu/double/Japanese-plus-another ethnicity), I had high expectations before reading this book: finally a work to reveal the ins and outs of navigating "otherness," the conundrum that all children from bicultural/biracial families must unravel in modern Japan. That Laurel D. Kamada's study focused on the lives of young bicultural girls intrigued me, as women's roles and self-identity in Japan seem currently stymied, caught between traditional Japanese conventions and idealized views of Western femininity.
But although there are moments of fascination and familiarity when following the six girls of Kamada's study as they mature from 12 to 16 years old, this is a text primarily for academics, not a carefully researched appraisal of popular culture and bicultural women's roles.
The author herself deliberately chooses to focus on her academia readership. The first three chapters discuss the theoretical and methodological foundations underlying her research of the six bicultural girls, carefully noting the limitations of the study and at the same time supporting its research. Once Kamada finally takes you into the girls' lives, there are colorful, engaging transcripts.