Path of a Ghost — Mark Lewis

After the turn of the 20th century the leadership of Imperial Japan looked at ways to increase the size and economic power of the Empire. These ideals were also in the forefront of the competing European nations and America.

Quickly realizing their military forces would require substantial enlargement to apply adequate political pressure the Japanese government undertook a major directional change in policy. The Japanese navy and air force were enlarged and reorganized along European lines.

These expansionist policies soon raised the ire of the competing nations. Japan had always been looked down upon as a second class nation and this attitude stung many young Japanese officers and bureaucrats into action.

By the end of the First World War Japan had already obtained overseas bases in the Pacific as war reparations. The IJA and IJN sought to improve these bases for a future conflict with other nations.

Path of a Ghost primarily looks at the lives of three young men serving the Empire. Each man would follow his own path, along the way achieving success in his chosen field of participation.

Just before the end of the Second World War the paths of all three men would cross. Post war political plotting and subversive actions lead Japan down an unenviable path where foreign soldiers control part of Japan. The tensions between nations boil over leading to a final battle that would forever affect world politics.
This book, second in a series, follows on from Project Z: air war japan 1946.