How long has it been since the Mazda MX-5 made its debut in 1989? “The Simpsons” had just launched. The President of the United States was George HW. Taylor Swift wouldn’t be born until that December.

I have practiced my Japanese daily since reading James Clavell's Shogun. I yearn to return to Japan someday, and I can't believe it took me 35 years to dive deep into Blackthorne's adventures.

For 35 years, the MX-5 Miata has been the affordable flagship for the entire roadster category. As other mini two-seaters came and went, Mazda remained committed to a lightweight sports car with a ...