Yamamoto was born in Nakano, Tokyo and graduated from Atomi University in 1957.
[1] Her first three short stories, "Mahō," "Ame no Isu," and "Betei-san no Niwa" appeared in Shinchō magazine in March, July and November 1972 editions, respectively.
"Rōjin no Kamo" was published August 1972 in the magazine Fūkei.
These four stories were based on her experience living in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, where she had accompanied her husband in 1967.
“Betty-san” became the title story for the English version, which was translated by Geraldine Harcourt and published in 1984 by Kodansha.