In Memoriam: Ryu Murakami—The “Writer Beloved by Writers” Whose “Charm Even Men Admire”

A personality in stark contrast to his work

Ryū Murakami, a writer who long led the way in Japanese literature, passed away at his home on October 17. He was 74.

In addition to his debut novel, *A Blue Almost Transparent*, which depicted young people indulging in drugs and sex in the Tokyo suburb of Fussa,he went on to publish a series of works that vividly captured the spirit of the times, such as *Coin Locker Babies* and *69 sixty-nine*. Yet, despite his provocative writing style, he remained a gentleman throughout his life.

Yoko Saito, who served as his editor on works ranging from *Fascism of Love and Fantasy* to *The Singing Whale*, reflects on this.

“Whenever Mr. Ryu came to the editorial department, he would greet everyone with a ‘Hello!’ loud enough for everyone to hear. When he left, he never failed to say, ‘Thank you very much!’ I used to be surprised by this, but a senior editor would tell me, ‘That’s just how Mr. Ryu is.’ He was such a refreshing presence.

All the young female editors who worked with him for the first time would say, ‘I want to marry someone like Mr. Ryu.’ He was the only author, before or since, who was that smart and cool.”

He was beloved even by his peers.

“Once, when I was riding the train with Ryu-san, we happened to run into Michitsuna Takahashi (who passed away at age 73). Takahashi-san turned to Ryu-san and said, ‘I read *Coin Locker Babies*. I’m proud to be part of the same literary world as you, in the same era.’Normally, writers don’t directly praise their contemporaries. That’s just how wonderful Ryu-san’s work was.” (Ibid.)

His energetic presence continued to inspire those living in the same era. This was likely because the kindness and consideration he showed toward others—which stood in stark contrast to the “savagery” on the surface of his works—lay at the very foundation of Ryu Murakami as a writer and his works.

From the November 13–20, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*