Author Ryu Murakami dies at 74, office announces
Murakami's office and publisher Gentosha said the funeral was held privately and the family is declining condolences and interview requests.
Japanese author Ryu Murakami died at his home on October 17, 2026, at the age of 74, his office announced on October 23. The announcement was made by Murakami Ryu Office together with the editorial headquarters of publisher Gentosha, according to cinematoday.jp.
The funeral was held as a family funeral. At the family's request, condolences, offerings, flowers, telegrams and gifts are being declined, and the family and close relatives have asked that interview inquiries be refrained from.
His final work was the novel YouTuber.
From debut prize to screen adaptations
In 1976, while still a university student, Murakami won the 19th Gunzo New Writers' Prize and the 75th Akutagawa Prize for his debut novel Almost Transparent Blue. The book sold about 3.5 million copies including paperback editions. In 1980 he won the 3rd Noma Literary Newcomer Prize for Coin Locker Babies.
Several of his works were adapted for cinema: Hideaki Anno's Love & Pop in 1998, Takashi Miike's Audition in 2000 and Lee Sang-il's 69sixty nine in 2004. Murakami himself directed and wrote the screenplays for film versions of Topaz and KYOKO, and directed Daijobu My Friend in 1983 and Raffles Hotel in 1989.
He also served as main interviewer on the economic talk program Cambria Palace for about 20 years.
Quick answers
When did Ryu Murakami die?
He died at his home on October 17, 2026, at the age of 74. The death was announced on October 23, 2026.
What was Ryu Murakami's final work?
His final work was the novel YouTuber.
Which films were adapted from Ryu Murakami's novels?
They include Hideaki Anno's Love & Pop (1998), Takashi Miike's Audition (2000) and Lee Sang-il's 69sixty nine (2004).