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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.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues
Apr 1, 2022
TELL Japan hopes to 'build resilience' with mental health summit
The mental health support group has landed some notable speakers for its second annual conference on resilience including Kathy Matsui and Gail Palmer.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Mar 7, 2022
SEGO Initiative creates connections in Kanagawa
Educator and environmentalist Alana Bonzi's love for nature and a desire to create connections within her community are reflected in the SEGO Initiative, a not-for-profit she founded with her husband, Michel, in the coastal city of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Feb 27, 2022
Diane Kichijitsu: ‘Human interactions provide plenty of comedic material’
The male-dominated world of 'rakugo,' traditional Japanese comic storytelling, has welcomed a British woman who's in on the joke.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 12, 2021
‘The Shut Ins’: A poignant look at loneliness from four points of view
The individual voices of the characters shine in Katherine Brabon's novel, which delves into societal pressures and isolation in contemporary Japan.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Nov 28, 2021
Jayne Nakata: 'In life the hard things are the things that give you the most chance to grow'
Finding herself in a part of Japan where there weren't so many foreign women, Jayne Nakata decided to reach out through podcasting.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 14, 2021
‘The Cat Who Saved Books’: A friendly reminder of the joys of reading
Sosuke Natsukawa's English-language debut about a withdrawn boy who joins a chatty cat on a quest to liberate books is quirky and heartwarming in equal measure.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 17, 2021
Both plants and people thrive when you garden with the neighbors
Since the start of the pandemic, community gardens have become more popular than ever. And surprisingly, spring isn't the only time to get your garden growing.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Oct 4, 2021
Puratos: Good food, good company, better future
Name: Jean-Pierre Bernardino
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 12, 2021
How parents can help kids deal with back-to-school anxiety
Two experts from TELL who specialize in working with young people and schools offer some reassuring insights and tips to help kids and parents alike navigate these stressful times.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Jun 21, 2021
David Malone, rector of the United Nations University
Name: David Malone
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
May 15, 2021
Japan’s growing cider industry presses on through adversity
Bars, breweries and even a bilingual magazine are helping the apple-based beverage find a new, appreciative audience across the country.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 24, 2021
The time is ripe to bring hops back to Yamanashi
Dave Prucha is bringing domestic hop production, perfect for use at craft beer microbreweries, to his Obina Hops farm.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Mar 22, 2021
Martin Holman: A pioneer in Japan's puppet theater tradition
Martin Holman knew early on that he had a passion for puppets. What he didn't know, however, is just how far that passion would take him.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Mar 9, 2021
Hiroko Ito: ‘When disaster strikes, secure your own safety first of all’
Hiroko Ito is a specialist in disaster management, and has also helped launch Kyushu's first Mobile Pharmacy service.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 27, 2021
A childhood tradition makes a comeback with yusanbako
Three-tiered lacquered wooden lunch boxes, which originated in Tokushima Prefecture during the late Edo Period (1603-1868), are having a revival thanks to a trio of collaborators.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 23, 2021
Gizem Sakamaki: 'I’m finding a lot of joy in sharing Japan and its hidden gems with a global audience'
A self-described 'multipassionate' entrepreneur, Gizem Sakamaki's main source of joy is a sustainable food culture.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 3, 2021
Coming of age in Japan during COVID-19
This year's new adults are on the precipice of missing out on their seijinshiki, a time-honored tradition noted for its formality and formalwear.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 2, 2021
Have you ever heard of the ‘three great noodles of Morioka’?
Known collectively as the “Morioka sandaimen,” each dish features a noodle with distinct cultural roots.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 23, 2020
Need to get a PCR test? Here’s what to expect from Japan’s new low-cost testing facilities.
With COVID-19 entrenched in daily life, people are more open about testing and the private sector is stepping in to expand testing options.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 13, 2020
Japan’s year-end cleaning tradition is doubly important in 2020
Experts offer practical advice to make sure your house is tidy and safe for everyone spending the holidays inside.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past