Naoko Takemaru is Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is the author of the book,Women in the Language and Society of Japan: The Linguistic Roots of Bias (McFarland, 2010). Her other publications include articles in refereed journals and conference proceedings, as well as book reviews.

Dr. Takemaru has taught all levels of Japanese language, conversation, composition, grammar, culture, and Japanese-English translation. She has also coordinated Japanese language programs at the university level. At UNLV, she oversees the entire Japanese Studies Program, and teaches upper-division courses on Japanese language, culture, and business.

Dr. Takemaru has received the William Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching from the College of Liberal Arts at UNLV.