The Rise of Contemporary Japanese Literature (and people are loving it)

by Anuska Saha

Global interconnectedness has seen an increasing presence ever since the inception of the World Wide Web, also known as the Internet. What was once out of our reach is now closer than ever, just a search away. The influx of multiple cultures influencing our daily lives thus proves to be no surprise whatsoever. Of course, a major feature of this is the literature the audience is consuming—in this case, Contemporary Japanese Literature.

Japanese literary works have always had a presence in the translated book market, with the works of greats like Osamu Dazai, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, and Yasunari Kawabata being fresh off the press since the 1960s. However, when it came to translated fiction, Asian literature was not seen at the forefront; it was occupied by European literature instead. There was a potential market for the former, but the publishers were not keen on strongly venturing into this field.

But then came an author with an artistic flare like no other—an author with the ability to seamlessly blend magical realism, fantasy, and 80s pop culture to produce wonders that knocked the socks off his readers—the stylistic Haruki Murakami. Starting with Norwegian Wood in 1987 and later Kafka on the Shore in 2002, he managed to grab the hearts of millions all over the world. He became the face of contemporary Japanese literature and, to a great extent, is still the rightful owner of this title today.

Publishers, seeing the massive success of his works, were now on the lookout for new and exciting contemporary writers. On top of that, the Japanese government made plans to boost translator training and send their authors to international book fairs. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram were also responsible for spreading the word. Currently, authors like Mieko Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Hiromi Kawakami have seen a surge in popularity after translated copies of their books hit store shelves.

So what exactly do Japanese novels have that other novels might not bring to the table? I think they are a breath of fresh air in a world full of standard, predictable storytelling. Japanese novels are often criticized for their open-ended, vague storytelling strategies, but they also provide a uniquely cosmopolitan perspective on the larger issues at hand. The style, technique, and method they employ to communicate their thoughts and creativity truly blossom through the characters they create on their pages. The casual, cool tone they apply to any thought or action their characters choose to take stands out the most because they do not presume or judge the characters they create. Most importantly, their imagination and creativity are beyond words.

If you ever feel the need to bend your mind and consume something to enrich your soul, I suggest you give Japanese literature a try. It will not be something overly familiar but will leave you satiated to your heart’s content.

Editor's Insight: Comment down and let us know your favorite Japanese author and their best work according to you! Mine is 'Klara and the Sun' by Kazuo Ishiguro.