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Ryu Murakami, Japanese novelist and essayist whose work explored violence, sex and youth, has passed away at the age of 74.
Announcing the heartbreaking news on Friday, October 23, Ryu's publisher said in a statement, "We are deeply and unbearably saddened to learn of the premature death of Ryu Murakami, who spent his career continuously releasing shocking works meant for a younger audience."
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Ryu Murakami's remarkable work
Ryu was best known for his debut work titled Almost Transparent Blue, which depicted the moral corruption of youths steeped in drugs and sex. It won him one of Japan's most prestigious literary awards in 1976.
His other famous work include 1980 novel, Coin Locker Babies, featured children abandoned in baggage lockers and their subsequent survival, and1997's In The Miso Soup, which portrayed a tourist's plunge into Tokyo’s red-light district.
"We pray for the peace of Murakami, who raced his way through life as the frontrunner of an era," publisher Gentosha said.
The internet reacts to Ryu Murakami's death
Fans and readers from all over the globe shared their disbelief and grief on social media following the death announcement.
One user on X penned, "I can't believe it. I've been saying in my lectures all this time, even now in 2026, hell, just the other day, that Ryu Murakami's *Coin Locker Babies* is hands down the greatest novel of the 1980s, that Ryu Murakami is a genius. I can't believe it, don't die, genius."
"Ryū Murakami, the writer I respect the most. Oh no, I might be done for... I wonder if I can keep on living..." another fan noted.
"Oh... My condolences. I was shocked after reading 'Almost Transparent Blue', and from the very first line of 'Coin Locker Babies', I thought, "Ah, this is a story for me," and it had an immense impact on me," a third post read.
Besides sending condolences, readers also shared their favourite works from Ryu on social media, as they highlighted the impact he left on them.
Ryu Murakami's funeral
It has been reported that Ryu, a native of Nagasaki Prefecture, was given a private family funeral following his death at home last Saturday.
Murakami, who also worked as a film director and screenwriter, was widely known in Japan for hosting a television program featuring interviews with leading business figures.
