Diane Hawley Nagatomo, Author

Diane Hawley Nagatomo is an author and storyteller whose works of fiction explore the nuanced intersections of cross-cultural relationships, self-discovery, and the ties that bind families across oceans. Having lived, taught, and written in Japan for over four decades, her novels offer authentic, human-centered glimpses into contemporary and historical life in Japan. Diane resides in Japan with her husband. She enjoys connecting with readers, book clubs, and fellow writers around the world.

Writing Journey

Diane Hawley Nagatomo moved to Japan in the late 1970s, embarking on a career in higher education that spanned more than forty years and included a tenure as a professor at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo. Holding a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Macquarie University and an M.A. in TESOL from Temple University Japan, she initially published extensively on gender dynamics, teacher identity, and intercultural education.

Following her retirement from academia, she turned her lifelong observations of cross-cultural living into fiction. Her stories capture the quiet complexities, vulnerabilities, and unexpected joys experienced by foreigners and Japanese locals as their lives intertwine.

Works of Fiction

The Butterfly Café (2023)

When her emotionally abusive husband dies in a sudden traffic accident, a grieving woman is consumed by guilt over the life she was planning to leave behind. Her path toward healing takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a welcoming local cafe, a haven filled with warmth, history, and second chances. The Butterfly Café is a story of resilience, found family, and learning to rebuild a life when least expected.

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Finding Naomi (2024)

Stuck in a dead-end Tokyo bar job and nursing a failing relationship, Naomi Kihara grows up believing her American father abandoned her after her mother’s death. Her world shatters when the police arrive with news that her estranged father has passed away—and that she is his sole heir. Blending the sights of modern Tokyo with the heartland of the American Midwest, Finding Naomi follows one woman’s journey to uncover family secrets, reckon with past misperceptions, and claim her own identity.

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The Making of Us (2025)

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Japan, Rose Millstone arrives in Tokyo to teach English after her fiancé jilts her days before their wedding. When she meets Akira, a widowed father navigating his own complexities, a deep bond forms between them. However, committing to Akira means committing to a permanent life in Japan—a choice Rose isn’t sure she’s ready to make until an unexpected turn forces her to confront what family, belonging, and true love really mean.

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The Chibi-Chibi Bookstore (2026)

On her twenty-fourth birthday, Sierra Stevens uncovers a life-altering revelation about her family’s past. The discovery sends her on a journey across cultures, leading her to an enchanting, cozy bookstore in Japan. The Chibi-Chibi Bookstore celebrates the magic of books, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to open one’s heart to new beginnings.

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