Dr. Sadao Hoki
The doctor is a skilled surgeon and scientist, happily married to Hana, father to two children, and a loyal Japanese citizen. He does not fight in the war because his medical services are needed for the General, so he is home when a wounded American prisoner of war shows up on the beach near his home. Though his first inclination is to let the man die, not wanting to offer aid and comfort to the enemy nor to be punished, his training takes over and he successfully operates on the young man, saving his life. While he does not waver in his ambivalence toward the man, constantly wondering why he acts as he does, he remains committed to his profession's expectations and ethics.
Hana
Hana is an intelligent, steadfast woman, wife to Sadao, and mother to their two children. She spent time in America as well, which is where she met Sadao. She is pure-blooded Japanese, which Sadao wanted in a wife. She has a moral compass like Sadao's, meaning she ultimately knows it is best to treat the enemy even though she does not have to like him or help him beyond measure.
Tom
Tom is the "man," the "boy," the "American," and the "prisoner," among other things. He is an escaped prisoner of war, found on the beach with a gunshot wound worsened by the rocks of the sea that he tried to navigate in his escape. Sadao finds him "common" in appearance, and he is probably about 17-20 years old. Upon his waking, he thanks the doctor but expresses casual racism in his remarks, using the slur "Jap" and evincing a simplistic worldview about the war. He is grateful for Sadao saving his life more than once, though, and follows the doctor's directions about how to escape.
The General
The General is an older military official whom Sadao is treating for a serious disease. The General is weary of the obligations of his job but relishes his power. He needs Sadao to treat him and keep him alive, so he is not angry when Sadao confesses that he has the American prisoner with him. He promises to send assassins to take care of the matter but forgets to do so, as he is consumed with his illness. When Sadao confesses tells him the prisoner escaped, the General agrees to keep his secret because exposing Sadao would result in the only physician he trusts to keep him alive being punished.
Yumi
Yumi is the children's nurse. She loves them and seems like a good servant, but she is simple-minded and stubborn. She is opposed to the American's presence in the home and quits with the other servants, though she returns once the American is gone.
Sadao's Father
Though he is not alive during the events of the story, Sadao thinks of his father often. The man was elegant, exacting, and stern, and he wanted his son to be successful. He also was very nationalistic, only wanting his son to marry a Japanese woman and requesting for everything in his room to be Japanese in style and make.
Gardener
The old gardener, who is also a servant, is very opposed to the American's presence and thinks Sadao and Hana should have let him die. He quits with the rest of the servants, but he returns once the American is gone.
