One cold morning in December 1941, I was running through the frozen streets of Tokyo during the predawn hours, delivering newspapers. I saw this as my way to contribute to the family finances. I was 13 at the time, my father was bedridden with rheumatism, and my four elder brothers had been sent off to war.

Four years had passed since the start of Japan's invasion of China. Many people with family members on the front anxiously awaited the arrival of the morning newspaper and information it might bring about the war.

Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was that day's top story, reported in banner headlines designed to convey the "glory" of the event. I will never forget the mood of eerie agitation that enveloped the city as I distributed the newspapers that morning.