Characteristics of modern Japanese literature?

I'm currently reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, my first modern fiction by a Japanese author (discounting some short fiction). It's difficult for me to judge what is unique to this novel vs the author's style vs what is typical to Japanese literature. I will read more and learn that way of course, but for the sake of better appreciating this particular one and a question for those really in the know: in what sense is Murakami a "typical" modern Japanese author, and in what ways is he not?

e.g. - the narrator is not very emotive (typical?) There are more American/British allusions than Japanese (a Murakami thing?)

I read a great deal of contemporary Japanese literature, but I don't feel enough in the know to answer this question. I'll hang around to see what others have to say, though. Good question!