LONDON, Mar 17 (News On Japan) - As Japanese novels gain wider recognition through translation overseas, an Akutagawa Prize-winning author appeared at one of the world’s largest book fairs held in the United Kingdom, highlighting the growing global appeal of Japanese literature.
The London Book Fair 2026, one of the world’s largest publishing events attracting more than 30,000 visitors, was held in London, where the enjoyment of turning pages and immersing oneself in stories remains deeply rooted in daily life.
In 2026, a booth drawing particular attention from visitors featured a broad lineup of Japanese works, ranging from picture books and children’s literature to manga, practical lifestyle guides, and literary fiction.
Interest in contemporary Japanese literature is currently rising overseas, with especially strong popularity in the United Kingdom, where many readers cite familiar Japanese authors and works among their favorites.
Japanese titles accounted for nearly half of the top 40 translated fiction works in 2024, underscoring the growing presence of Japanese literature in the British market.
A symbolic example of this trend is Asako Yuzuki’s “BUTTER,” whose English edition became the best-selling book of the year at the British bookstore chain Waterstones in 2024 and was also selected as Book of the Year, drawing widespread attention.
Visitors to the fair commented on the distinctive qualities of Japanese literature, noting that it often emphasizes deeper critical and philosophical thinking. Others observed that the Japanese language, compared with English, allows for greater ambiguity and interpretive flexibility, giving it a sense of fluidity that differs significantly from European literature.
Translation plays a central role in the global expansion of Japanese novels.
Tomoka Shibasaki, an Akutagawa Prize-winning author who visited London, said that while AI translation technology is rapidly advancing, it still struggles to fully capture the unique voices, writing styles, depth of the Japanese language, and nuances such as regional dialects present in each work.
She emphasized that translation is not merely a process of substituting words, but rather a form of communication that emerges between the author and the translator.
Shibasaki said: "(For translators,) their own sensibilities are extremely important. They think about how to convey the voice of the novel and what kind of ingenuity is needed in translation. It is not just about conveying the meaning of words, but about transmitting the style and voice of the work, which is a crucial role."
Source: FNN
