Nobel Literature Prize Winner Japanese Author Oe Kenzaburo Passes Away at 88 Years Old

1994 Nobel Prize in Literature Winner... Second Japanese Laureate

Oe Kenzaburo (大江建三郞), a representative of postwar Japanese literature who brought the honor of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Japan, passed away on the 3rd due to old age. He was 88 years old.

Oe Kenzaburo, who debuted in 1957, received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1994 for his work "Personal Experience." It was the second Nobel Prize in Literature achieved by the Japanese literary world, following Kawabata Yasunari's "Snow Country" in 1968.

On March 13, 2015, Japanese Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Oe Kenzaburo is answering questions at a press conference for the publication of the novel "Iksa" held at a cafe in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

His literature was aligned with reality. He sharply pointed out the social instability and political issues faced by postwar Japan, and published many writings on themes such as the emperor system, militarism, peace, and coexistence.

He also voiced his opinions directly on domestic and international social issues. At a press conference held in Korea in 2015 regarding the issue of Japanese military comfort women, he stated, "It is difficult to see that the Japanese government or people have sufficiently apologized. The Japanese state must apologize."

Among Korean writers, he admired writer Hwang Sok-yong. He said, "I am an avid reader and highly appreciate modern novels," adding, "Among them, Hwang Sok-yong writes great novels that point out important contemporary issues. He depicts humans connected to society while portraying their inner selves."