Don't get me wrong, I think Zhang Ziyi can do a great job too (I'm actually very jealous of your avatar because I just love that scene from CTHD), it's just that she isn't Japanese. Ok, actually, that's not the real problem. Actors shouldn't be limited to playing characters from the same origin as theirs, obviously. But the reason why I'm a little miffed with that choice is that I have the impression they chose her mainly because she was the one Asian bankable name among actresses her age. Same goes for Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li.

And I hope you'll find the time to read the book, it's a most enjoyable reading ^-^