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Claire Williamson
For Claire Williamson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Aug 7, 2022
‘Mika in Real Life’: Emiko Jean tackles parenthood, love and self-acceptance
A woman looking to connect with her long-lost daughter (with a very attractive adoptive father) may sound like a rom-com premise, but the author delves into heavy themes in her adult debut.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 29, 2022
Yojijukugo: The four-kanji words that pack a whole lot of meaning
Some of the more common four-kanji idioms that we use in our daily lives include the word for daily life itself. Learn a few of them to impress your Japanese friends.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 17, 2021
All is not golden with the 2021 selection for kanji of the year
There was a sense of serious deja vu when "u91d1" (kin) was announced as kanji of the year for 2021, it's fourth time to take the honor.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 6, 2021
Tokyo's Den, Narisawa and Florilege make the cut at World's 50 Best Restaurants awards
After a year-long pandemic-induced delay, The Worldu2019s 50 Best Restaurants returned to the live stage in Antwerp on Oct. 5 to announce this yearu2019s winners.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 26, 2021
How to recognize and manage seasonal affective disorder
For some, the shift from summer to winter can herald a period of depression known as seasonal affective disorder. Be sure to take proactive steps to maintain your mental health.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 5, 2021
How are those pandemic hobbies going, really?
How many of us have actually kept up with those trendy pandemic activities from last year? And how can we take an activity from u201chobbyu201d to u201chabitu201d?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Aug 1, 2021
Jason Hancock: 'A fully inclusive Japan is barrier-free, judgment-free and full of mutual cultural understanding'
A TV reporter and personality, Jason Hancock founded the Special Beauty Japan pageant to celebrate the talent of special needs youth nationwide.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jul 11, 2021
Jonathan Berguig: ‘I think both Japanese and French people are gourmets. And there's a mutual love.’
Jonathan Berguig owns the French cafe Citron. It offers vegetarian and vegan options, as well as opportunities to support animal shelters.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jun 27, 2021
Khamida Malianchinova: 'We couldn’t judge if it was Tokyo or us who chose to stay isolated'
After arriving from Kyrgyzstan on a scholarship, Khamida Malianchinova got into aikido and podcasting u2014u00a0both of which helped her be part of a community.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
May 24, 2021
Marc Davies: ‘To write beautifully is to solve a fundamental problem of art’
Nationally acclaimed calligrapher Marc Davies has been practicing shodu014d since 1996, achieving the rank of Master Instructor in 2019. Here, he shares his take on the art form.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Apr 11, 2021
Mima Osawa: 'COVID-19 upended fashion trends for the better'
Mima Osawa puts sustainability and style at the forefront of her fashion line, Mono Handmade.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 3, 2021
Mister Karaage’s mission? Spreading the gospel of Japanese fried chicken
Kenji Usui runs a specialty fried chicken food truck out of Nelson, New Zealand, where heu2019s promoting Japanese u201csoul food.u201d
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 24, 2021
Top 5: The best teishoku restaurants in Tokyo
This isnu2019t your typical u201cwant-fries-with-that?u201d lunch. The Japan Times shares five of the best places to get a washoku set meal for dine-in or takeout.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 16, 2021
Five books about Japan that are perfect for foodies
Many authors writing about Japan use the countryu2019s cuisine as a central plot point. Here are five food-centric books perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 9, 2021
Life in David Chang’s kitchen isn’t always peachy
David Changu2019s memoir, u201cEat a Peach,u201d offers an engaging and personal, albeit disjointed, look into the American celebrity chefu2019s career and the tumultuous culinary world.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Dec 26, 2020
Top 5: Food trends our critics want to see Japan embrace in 2021
Eyes (and stomachs) are already turning to 2021. Five of The Japan Timesu2019 critics share the dining trends theyu2019d like to see the country embrace.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2020 in review
Dec 19, 2020
Our critics’ favorite books published in 2020
As 2021 approaches, six Japan Times book reviewers look back on their top reads released in English this year.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 14, 2020
‘Japanese Design Since 1945’ is all about the craftsperson’s mindset
American architect and writer Naomi Pollock focuses on the creators behind the products in her thoughtfully curated compendium of Japanese design.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Sep 30, 2020
Episode 66: Kōji — the magical mold of Japan
Japan Times food editor Claire Williamson joins Deep Dive to discuss her new found passion for Aspergillus oryzae, the mold better known in Japan as ku014dji.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 13, 2020
Four subscription boxes that bring a taste of Japan to your door
Packed with sweets, savories and even artisanal crafts, these boxes take you on a global journey, without ever leaving home.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world