Japanese fiction is experiencing extraordinary success in the UK, with Nielsen data revealing that it made up 25% of all translated fiction sales in 2022.
In 2024, 43% of the top 40 translated fiction titles were Japanese, highlighting the genre's incredible rise in popularity, especially with works like Asako Yuzuki's 'Butter'.
Haruki Murakami's blend of loneliness, jazz, and fantastical elements contribute to his appeal, described as 'fairly accessible, weird shit' by industry insiders.
Banana Yoshimoto, predating Murakami, was instrumental in paving the way for Japanese fiction in English-speaking markets with her themes of alienation and personal struggle.
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