Japanese media are showing great interest in the news of writer Han Kang winning the Nobel Prize in Literature on the 10th (local time). Celebrating the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, bookstores are also showing interest in Han Kang's works.
In May 2016, novelist Han Kang, the first Korean writer to win the Man Booker Prize, one of the world's three major literary awards, is answering questions from the press at a press conference for her new novel "White" held at a cafe in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap News Archive Photo]
On the 10th, Japan's NHK reported Han Kang's award, stating, "This is the second time a Korean has won a Nobel Prize following former President Kim Dae-jung's Peace Prize in 2000, and the first time for the Literature Prize." It also noted, "She is the first Asian woman to receive this honor." The media added, "In 2016, Han Kang was the first Asian to win the Booker International Prize, the most prestigious literary award in the UK for translated works, gaining worldwide attention," and described her as "a popular author in Japan with many works translated into Japanese."
Japanese experts also regarded Han Kang's win as a natural outcome. Professor Koji Toko of Waseda University's Faculty of Letters said, "Having won the prestigious Booker International Prize in the UK for 'The Vegetarian,' I think this is a well-deserved result," adding, "It is groundbreaking that an Asian female writer has won the Nobel Prize in Literature for the first time." He continued, "There are many moving works dealing with the difficulties faced by women in modern society, including 'The Vegetarian,'" and said, "Korean music and films are loved, but I hope this will be an opportunity for more people to read Korean literature as well."
On the afternoon of the 10th, when novelist Han Kang became the first Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, books by Han Kang were displayed at Kyobo Bookstore Gwanghwamun Branch in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to NHK, a special Han Kang section was set up in bookstores in Tokyo. At one Tokyo bookstore, cheers and applause followed the announcement of Han Kang's award after 8 p.m. The bookstore had originally introduced her as a writer expected to win, but a special corner was created once the news of her actual win was delivered. A man in his 30s said, "I was surprised because no Korean author had won before. I want to read one of her books." In Japan, there had also been expectations for the world-renowned bestselling author Haruki Murakami to win.
One netizen said, "Books will pile up in bookstores tomorrow (the 11th) as well. I haven't read her works yet, but I want to," adding, "I just learned this time that the only Nobel Prize Korea had won until now was former President Kim Dae-jung's Peace Prize. This literature award will be a great honor for Korea."
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