What is the general timeframe you set the story in? I get the impression it may cover a period like the 1930s-1960s. Does it span several decades?

1900-1948, with an epilogue in 1968

I believe you have said that this is set in three countries, Japan, Germany, and the United States or I imagined that, is that the case and does it mostly take place in one of these countries?

Germany, Italy, Japan, China, and the US, primarily.

You did say above that this is most definitely fiction, but I believe you have also said that you have been inspired to write this through researching your family history. So, would you say any of your central characters are somewhat based on family members, or have you just incorporated things you learned through family research into the story?

It is very much based on my family's adventures over the years.

Are the central characters in the story German, Japanese, and American? Or is it told primarily through the eyes of one character's perspective? 

Japanese and German, primarily.

Obviously, based on the questions above I am guessing this is going to take place at least in part if not mostly during WWII, is this the case?

Partly, yes. World War II is sort of the culmination of the gathering of forces that make up the body of the work.

You've been working on this for 6 years, so I would not think that you set out thinking "This book will be released in 2025." which now is a rather timely coincidence considering Trump's Project 2025 is meant to go into effect then if, the Pagen gods forbid, he was somehow elected president...do you see that as a timely coincidence or was there some forethought to that? 

Sadly, the themes I've been exploring are eternal, but certainly the book was partially motivated by my anguish at the way history continues to rhyme.