Japanese publisher Gentosha confirms death of writer Ryu Murakami

Official announcement of the author's death

Major Japanese publisher Gentosha officially announced the passing of the renowned writer Ryu (Ryunosuke) Murakami. According to data published on the publisher's page, the author died on 17 October 2026. He was 74 years old at the time of his death.

Family asks for privacy to be respected

The farewell ceremony for the writer took place in a close family circle. In the aforementioned statement, Murakami's relatives appealed to the public to respect their private life. Close ones urged people to refrain from sending flowers, monetary donations, and letters of condolence. The family also asked media representatives not to disturb them with questions regarding possible interviews.

Creative legacy and recognition

Ryu Murakami left behind a significant literary legacy: he is the author of over 40 novels. Among the author's most famous works are "All Shades of Blue", "Children from the Storage Room", and "Miso Soup".

The writer was born in 1952 in the city of Nagasaki. His literary debut took place in 1976, when the novel "Almost Transparent Blue" was awarded the Akutagawa Prize. This book became a phenomenon, reaching a print run of 3.5 million copies.