James L. Watson (born 6 August 1947) is Fairbank Professor of Chinese Society and Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus, Harvard University. He taught at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Pittsburgh, University of Hawaii, and University of Houston, and, since his retirement, at Knox College. Among his interests are Chinese emigrants to London, the subject of his doctoral work and first book; ancestor worship and Chinese popular religion in present-day and in history; family life and village organization; food and food systems in East Asia. He is best known outside academia for his edited book, Golden Arches East: McDonald's in East Asia (1997, 2006).