5 Books Written by Caribbean Authors Living In Asia

Many people forget there are Caribbean people who have moved to Asia creating a life out there for themselves. The multiple stories written by Caribbean people in the East are not as loud as those living in other continents. As a second generation Jamaican, I have been on a journey finding and reading the experiences of Caribbean authors who reside in Asian countries, like myself.

From stories of a woman’s self-discovery whilst living and travelling around Taiwan to a beauty expert’s tips on where to shop in Japan, this list will give you a glimpse into the few stories and experiences of Caribbeans living in Asia and what can be learnt from their time out there.


  1. Babylon East by Marvin D. Sterling | June 1 2010 (Japan)

Babylon East bridges the gap for those wanting to understand why Japanese people have a long history and their love for dancehall, reggae and rastafari culture. From interviewing Jamaica’s 2002 national dancehall queen, Junko Kudo to the history of long standing reggae festivals like Yokohama’s Mighty Crown, this book is an academic masterpiece that widens reader’s minds into how Japan interprets Jamaican music and how Jamaicans react to Japanese artists and dancers in their scene.  

Marvin D. Sterling was born and raised in Jamaica until his early teens then lived in Japan between 1998 to 2000. He is now Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University.

  1. Being Black in Asia by Miguel Flemming, Taiwan  |  Mar 20 2018 (St Kitts and Nevis)

After getting a scholarship to Taiwan, Flemming set off from his hometown, St Kitts and Nevis to the city of Kaohsiung with a motivation to study agriculture in 2012. The next six years of his life in the country are documented within this book to help readers in depth what it’s like to be a Black person in one of Asia’s most populated countries. 

Flemming has said that being a black person in Asia comes with many challenges such as what it’s like learning in Taiwan as a foreigner, dating in Asia and how Black people are portrayed in the country and his book aims to offer advice to those wanting to move over to Taiwan. As Flemming says “Not understanding certain cultures, their gestures, actions and words can result in many conflicts and misunderstandings. Communicating with and understanding each other are most important.”

Miguel Flemming is from Old Road, St Kitts and Nevis. After moving back to Taiwan, now works as the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives.

  1. Mio The Beautiful by Kinota Braithwaite | Jan 27 2021 (Japan)

Coming from a African-Canadian and Jamaican background, Mio is a young girl who is dealing with being bullied at elementary school because of the colour of her skin. Fortunately, with the help of Momo-sensei, her teacher, she explains to the students and also readers how our words harm people and we are all beautiful no matter what their background. The book was inspired by Braithwaite’s daughter’s own experience and is a great way to address racism and identity as a mixed-race child growing up in Japan.

Kinota Braithwaite is a African-Canadian author with Jamaican roots, motivational speaker, certified anti-bullying prevention specialist, and teacher residing in Kanagawa, Japan.  His book Mio the Beautiful was nominated for a Sakura Medal Book Award, and his work has been featured on NHK Ohayo Nippon, DW News and NHK World Japan.

  1. Taiwan: An Underrated Paradise by Brittany Edwards | Dec 20 2020 (Taiwan)

After her international fellowship to South Africa was rejected, Brittany Edwards set her sights to move to Taiwan in 2019.  “Out of the remaining locations, Taiwan seemed to be the best fit since I had been studying Mandarin for many years.” Edwards says. “If I knew anything about Taiwan before I went, I would have chosen it in a heartbeat.” 

Her part guidebook, part travelogue, “Taiwan: An Underrated Paradise” ventures into personal anecdotes of what life was like for her out there as well as informing readers of Taiwan’s history, culinary and arts through her experiences. 

Award-winning Fulbright fellow Brittany Edwards writes thought-provoking pieces that push the boundaries of form, often blending poetry with narrative on themes from travel to body-mind healing. Born in Queens, New York to Jamaican parents, her free-spirited nature led her to Taiwan, where she would continue traveling through East Asia solo before setting roots in Chicago.

  1. A Black Traveler’s Guide to Japanese Beauty by Christina Bellevue | Dec 24 2022 (Japan)

Imagine having a savvy best friend in every country, guiding you to exactly what you need in terms of beauty, fashion, lifestyle and self-care! This is the purpose of Christina’s first book, “A Black Traveler’s Guide to Japanese Beauty”. Inspired by a transformative two-year stay in Japan, “A Black Traveler’s Guide to Japanese Beauty” is the ultimate beauty passport, a one- stop shop with over 1,000 reliable recommendations and relevant resources to unlock the secrets to looking and feeling fabulous in Japan with the unique needs of Black individuals in mind. This includes recommendations on hair salons, hair stylists, beauty and personal care products, Black-owned businesses, as well as resources to connect with local Black and expat communities in Japan, and more – all in one place.

Christina Bellevue is a passionate and multifaceted author, speaker and marketing consultant with Haitian roots. She is transforming the travel and beauty experience for Black travelers through Christina in Colour, a leading consultancy practice empowering travelers to embrace global experiences with confidence and style.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *