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 Mio Yamada

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Mio Yamada
A freelance arts and lifestyle editor and writer, Mio Yamada focuses on design, crafts and architecture. When she’s not visiting galleries and trade fairs, you'll find her taking photos of everything and being distracted by shiny objects. She's also surprisingly British.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Apr 16, 2023
Japan springs into action for Salone del Mobile Milan 2023
The world’s largest annual furniture and design trade fair is back in full force, and Japanese designers are well represented.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Mar 18, 2023
Celebrate spring with fresh furniture ideas from Japan
Recycled cabinets, artful sculptures and multipurpose workstations to spruce up your home.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Feb 18, 2023
Japan’s award-winning travel goods make any trip a breeze
Don't even think about leaving home without these mindfully produced travel essentials.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Jan 21, 2023
Japanese designers begin the year with responsible and eco-friendly products
This month: a breathing pillow, a hard hat made from scallops and chairs from master architect, Kengo Kuma.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Dec 17, 2022
Socially responsible Japanese design continued to evolve in 2022
From festivals based in rural factories to exhibitions in Milan's most elegant event halls, Japan was well represented across all areas of design this year.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 27, 2022
Toyama puts itself on Japan’s map of sustainable tourism
From traditional architecture and local folk crafts to impressive temples and a luxury hotel, Toyama's rural Tonami Plain is rich with culture.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Nov 19, 2022
Japan's industrial manufacturers forge artisanal brands
Japanese heavy manufacturing has always had a reputation for precision, but this new crops of products make the case for artistic finesse as well.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Oct 21, 2022
Designart Tokyo 2022 envisions a more sustainable future
Through Oct. 30, Tokyo abounds with functional and fantastical designs.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 7, 2022
Go For Kogei: The evolution of Hokuriku's crafts, art and nature
The craft-art festival, which takes place at three historical temples and shrines, showcases how the region's history and artisanal works are closely intertwined.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Sep 30, 2022
Can industrial tourism help revitalize Japan’s manufacturing regions?
From metalworking tours to “washi” paper-making workshops, a number of prefectures are holding events to welcome visitors interested in local businesses and craftspeople.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Sep 24, 2022
The artisans of craft collective Kyoji lift each other up
A collective of craftspeople and manufacturers overcomes global marketing barriers by collaborating on lifestyle goods and sharing the costs associated with overseas promotion.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Aug 20, 2022
World-class crafts from neighborhood presses and lathes
This month, On Design looks at two areas where designers are currently giving the metalworking industry a contemporary edge.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Aug 10, 2022
The fabric of timelessness in the visionary designs of Issey Miyake
A visionary ahead of his time, Japanese designer Issey Miyake was able to not only see the future but shape it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jul 23, 2022
Colorful design gets its moment in the sun
The summer heat got you down? Perk up with these vivid designs and materials inspired by the season.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jun 18, 2022
Sitting pretty at the world’s largest furniture and interior design fair
Looking to spruce up your home? Italy's Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone exhibitions are chock-full of inspiring designs.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
May 22, 2022
A fabricated future: Awards highlight pioneers of material design
Fantastic, futuristic materials may one day become the building blocks of a sustainable present.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Apr 16, 2022
A window of opportunity for Japanese glassware
Introducing some eye-catching new glassware products that have been made with different Japanese glass-making techniques.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Mar 20, 2022
Japanese designers serve up unusual tableware
With more people spending time at home amid the pandemic, the demand for attractive tableware is creating new design opportunities for Japanese porcelain.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 5, 2022
Evolving Japanese crafts find a home in the U.K.
Artisans are pushing boundaries in the U.K., where a growing popularity of Japanese designs and concepts is being driven in part by increased concerns over sustainability.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Feb 28, 2022
Osaka small businesses with big design ideas
A design fair showcasing products from the Kansai region introduces 20 brands by local makers that range from food factories to manufacturers and traditional craftspeople.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?