“The Man Inside”, the second book by Mr Apthorpe, is the first ever account of Japanese Second Lieutenant Maseo Naka and his role in the infamous Cowra breakout.

“The Man Inside” offers rare insights and personal accounts from both perspectives and examines what motivated the ordinary Japanese soldier.

Professor Peter Stanley believes “The Man Inside” shines a light on a conflict that made Australians and Japanese enemies and later, brought them together as friends.

“‘The Man Inside’, is an illuminating contribution to the understanding of the war in the Pacific and to how – remarkably – the ideas, attitudes and character of soldiers of imperial Japan came to be indelibly associated with a community in rural New South Wales, not the last of the ties of blood between our two nations,” he said.

For Mr Apthorpe, the story of Maseo Naka is a unique and important one.

“I’ve been involved with the Cowra- Japanese relationship for over three decades and felt a responsibility to bring this story to life,” he said.

“Japan’s early victories gave its soldiers a reputation of utter and unrestrained barbarity, a significant reason why Japanese soldiers have since been seen as monsters.

“Maseo Naka, a junior officer, was a real person in a war that was none of his making and by all reports he did his duty with no hint of untoward actions other than those of a fighting soldier,” he said.

Cowra Tourism extends an invite for this special event 12pm Wednesday, August 16 at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre. Light refreshments will be served and as such, your RSVP is appreciated by Tuesday, August 15 via tourism@cowratourism.com.au or 6342 4333.