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Louise George Kittaka

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Louise George Kittaka

Originally from New Zealand, Louise George Kittaka is a bilingual writer based in Tokyo. She contributes to a wide range of news and information media, as well as Japan’s educational publishing sector. When she isn’t at her computer, Louise loves exploring waterfalls, going to cake buffets and collecting anything related to the Aliens movie franchise.

Fukui Prefecture is home to 80% of Japan’s dinosaur fossil discoveries, yet it is routinely one of the least-visited regions in the country.

LIFE / Travel

Jun 20, 2026

Beyond crabs and dinos: Japan’s least-touristed region rethinks its appeal

Fukui Prefecture routinely ranks among Japan’s least-visited prefectures, but a crop of young professionals in the tourism industry are pushing a new set of charms.

The executive committee of Women in Law Japan poses for a photo at the organization’s 10th anniversary gala.

COMMUNITY / Issues / The Foreign Element

Mar 30, 2026

Women in Law Japan marks 10 years amid persistent gender gap in the profession

Through events, workshops and mentorship programs, the platform offers opportunities to connect for women in the legal profession in Japan.

More than a quarter of married people in Japan report spousal violence of some kind, and nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced financial abuse, according to a 2023 survey by the Japan Cabinet Office.

COMMUNITY / Issues / The Foreign Element

Dec 8, 2025

Finding a way forward from financial abuse

In Japan, nearly 1 in 10 married women have been the victim of financial abuse. Two expats share their stories, along with the resources and advice that helped them through.

Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Linda Joyce moved to rural Tochigi Prefecture in 2024 for a career shift from teaching to hospitality and sustainable tourism.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS

Sep 25, 2025

Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’

Former teacher Linda Joyce shifted careers to the tourism industry in 2024 and now works at a historic property in rural Tochigi Prefecture.

Mark Dytham

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions

Aug 7, 2025

Briton brings artistic view to Japanese buildings

Mark Dytham established Klein Dytham Architecture in 1991, quickly gaining industry recognition and awards for innovative architectural projects

Once a way to transport lumber from the mountains to the coast, log rafting is now Kitayama's biggest attraction.

LIFE / Travel

Jul 7, 2025

A tiny mountain hamlet keeps traditional log rafting afloat

Log rafting was once a means of transporting timber, but now it’s the tourist draw of a tiny Wakayama village.

Moore has seen firsthand the powerful impact that a Montessori learning environment has on students-including his own children.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions

Mar 31, 2025

Montessori head educates Tokyo’s children for life

British James Moore’s next goal is method’s first high school in Japan

Jean-Pierre Charriton

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions

Dec 2, 2024

President of L’Oreal Japan leverages innovation

Entered L’Oreal in 1991, in charge of the Biotherme products. After a career path in many countries, he arrived in Japan in 2021.

The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.

MORE SPORTS / Rugby

Nov 19, 2024

Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby

Up to 17 teams are slated to join this year’s Asian Japanese Rugby Cup tournament in Malaysia on Dec. 14.

The Tubassadors are (from left) Tomohiro Sosogi, Kazuto Shikada, Soen Tamura and Keisuke Nishibu.

CULTURE / Music

Nov 5, 2024

The Tubassadors hope to change the tuba’s tune

Orchestras aren’t known for tuba solos in their performances. However, this Tokyo-based quartet puts the instrument front and center.

Cider in Japan doesn't have as long a history as other alcoholic beverages, but with consumer preferences shifting, it might be just the easy sip for drinkers sick of stiff tipples.

LIFE / Food & Drink

Oct 13, 2024

As Japan shuns stiff drinks, cider aims for a bigger share of the market

Sake brewer Isamu Yoshii was the first person in Japan to produce cider as an alcoholic drink in 1954, paving the way for a possible cider boom in the future.

When it comes to a career in cuisine, chef Andreas Fuchs thinks newcomers will know within three months whether they want to commit to it or not.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS

Sep 12, 2024

Andreas Fuchs: ‘I love that no two days are the same’

As the Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s executive chef, Andreas Fuchs is responsible for overseeing extensive menus across multiple venues.

Mylene de Joya Garcia-Albano

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions

Sep 4, 2024

Philippine envoy highlights climate and smart farms

A native of the Philippine city of Davao, Mylene de Joya Garcia-Albano arrived in Tokyo in December 2022 as ambassador of the Philippines to Japan.

Marketing and PR Director at MSC Cruises Japan Kathy Knowles believes inbound tourism in Japan is likely to increase, and hopes more people will want to explore the country by sea.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS

Jul 13, 2024

Kathy Knowles: ‘I would never have been able to see so much if it weren’t for this job’

Going on a cruise can be a fun summer travel option, so much so that this industry executive has made a career out of it.

Paul Kraft

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions

Apr 29, 2024

JapanIQ consultancy eases entry to tough market

Kraft began his career at The Schwan Food Company, then moved to C.H. Robinson Worldwide before starting his consulting firm, JapanIQ, in 2023

Transfers usually take place in March at the end of the Japanese business year, but each family's reasons for living apart are different.

COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA

Apr 8, 2024

When your job separates the family

Japan’s “tanshin funin” system sees married company employees leaving their families behind when they are transferred to faraway posts.

Alex “Rami-chan” Ramirez

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions

Mar 1, 2024

Baseball star Alex Ramirez’s NPO helps special kids

Founder of Vamos Together, Venezuelan Alex Ramirez played for Yakult Swallows and Yomiuri Giants, then became manager of the Yokohama DeNa BayStars

A single mom in Kobe moonlights as a sleuth in Simon Rowe’s “Mami Suzuki: Private Eye.”

CULTURE / Books

Jan 21, 2024

‘Mami Suzuki: Private Eye’: Kobe sleuth’s colorful mysteries take readers around Japan

Simon Rowe’s straight-talking detective cuts a sophisticated figure as she solves matters the police won’t touch, all while looking after her young daughter and mother.

The natural attractions and the friendly locals convinced Norihiro Kanzawa and his wife, Zoe, to set up a business, Niyodo Adventure, in Kochi Prefecture.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS

Jan 13, 2024

Norihiro Kanzawa: ‘Smiles are always a great source of inspiration’

An adventure tourism professional and soon-to-be father shares his journey into making canyoning and packrafting his full-time job.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS

Dec 29, 2023

20 Questions: The best answers of 2023

Our interviewees this year gave a lot of advice for living a good life and paying attention to the things that matter most.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.

What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival

By Alex K.T. Martin

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