Before its release, Pension Wakeatte, the new work by Satoshi Yagisawa (photo right, Poplar Publishing), had already secured translation deals in 7 countries and 8 languages. What is it about Yagisawa’s works that captivates readers overseas.When it comes to exporting Japanese content, anime and manga have long been the standard. However, novels are now quietly taking the world by storm. While the English translation of Butter by Asako Yuzuki has become a bestseller in the UK and is driving a boom in Japanese literature, another wave sweeping through Western bookstores is the genre known as “Iyashi-kei (healing-type)” Japanese novels. Released on February 18, 2026, Pension Wakeatte had already been confirmed for translation in 7 countries and 8 languages prior to publication. The author’s previous work, “Days at the Morisaki Bookshop” (Shogakukan), is currently being translated into 50 languages across 40 countries, with over 800,000 copies of the English edition sold, including 200,000 copies (print) in India alone. In 2024, it was also shortlisted for the “Debut Fiction” category at the “British Book Awards”. While the socially themed Butter attracted Western readers, Yagisawa’s works resonate through the quietness of everyday life and the warmth of having a place to belong. Why is it that ordinary Japanese daily life is now capturing hearts across borders? We asked Satoshi Yagisawa.