Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami to publish first new book in three years

A new book by Japanese author Haruki Murakami set to be released in early July will mark his first publication in three years. 

The new book will also mark the first time Murakami features a female main character in one of his full-length novels, which explores her pursuits of finding a way out of a bizarre world.

What is the novel about?

Titled “The Tale of KAHO”, it is set for release on July 3 in print and digital format, and centers on a 26-year-old picture book author named Kaho. 

Kaho is the first lone, woman protagonist featured in a full-length novel by Murakami, Shinchosha Publishing Co. said on April 23 in a statement.

Initially, the novel started as a short story titled “Kaho”, which Murakami rehearsed at a book reading event two years ago at Waseda University, his alma mater in Tokyo, with Mieko Kawakami, a renowned female author and fan of his work. 

The story was then developed into a four-part “Kaho” series, which was published in the June 2024 edition of the monthly Shincho magazine. 

The character, Kaho, who has average looks and intelligence, is a curious person. One day she dines with a man who tells her, “I’ve never seen one as ugly as you.” 

Not outraged but baffled, curious Kaho tries to find out his hidden message.

She soon begins to experience bizarre things in her life such as an encounter with an anteater couple and other strange occurrences. 

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Murakami world revived

“I must find the way out of this world,” a brief promotional teaser released by the publisher says. “[The] Murakami world is in full force.”

Murakami brings the four parts together and gives them new life in the 352-page new novel, the publisher said.

Murakami’s latest novel, “The City and its Uncertain Walls”, was published in 2023, a release that drew devoted fans to a midnight launch event at Kinokuniya in Shinjuku, where readers gathered to collect preordered copies – underscoring the enduring enthusiasm surrounding Murakami’s work.

Murakami is well known for his hit novels “Kafka on the Shore” (2002) and “Norwegian Wood” (1987).

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