Japanese Literary Awards

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Asako Yuzuki

ゆずき あさこ

Yuzuki Asako

Pen Names: Asako Yuzuki（Pen name used publicly (real name not disclosed)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1981-08-02 （Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2008-
Affiliations
Japan PEN Club
Memberships
Japan PEN Club
Nominations
150th Naoki Prize nominee (Ito-kun A to E), 151st Naoki Prize nominee (Diana of the Bookstore), 153rd Naoki Prize nominee (Nile Perch Girls' Night Out), 157th Naoki Prize nominee (BUTTER), 161st Naoki Prize nominee (Magical Grandma), 171st Naoki Prize nominee (Not for You, Unfortunately)

Education

Rikkyo University, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters / Department of French Literature
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
Attended a scenario/screenwriting center while at university

Awards

88th All Yomimono Newcomer Award
2008
Work: Forget Me, Not Blue
Organization: Bungeishunju Ltd.
Result: Winner
3rd Shizuoka Bookstore Award (Novel Division)
2014
Work: Diana of the Bookstore
Organization: Shizuoka Bookstore Award
Result: Winner
28th Yamamoto Shugoro Prize
2015
Work: Nile Perch Girls' Night Out
Organization: Shinchosha
Result: Winner
3rd High School Naoki Prize
2016
Work: Nile Perch Girls' Night Out
Organization: High School Naoki Prize Committee
Result: Winner
Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards 2024 (Breakthrough Author)
2025
Work: BUTTER (English translation)
Category: Breakthrough Author
Organization: National Book Tokens (Books Are My Bag)
Result: Winner
Waterstones Book of the Year 2024
2024
Work: BUTTER (English translation)
Organization: Waterstones
Result: Selected / Winner
British Book Awards (Debut Fiction)
2025
Work: BUTTER (English translation)
Category: Debut Fiction
Organization: British Book Awards
Result: Winner
CWA International Dagger (Shortlisted/Finalist)
2025
Work: BUTTER (English translation)
Organization: Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Result: Shortlisted / Finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Girl at the Last Stop

2010 Short story collection

Debut short story collection including the award-winning "Forget Me, Not Blue."

friendshiplosseveryday life

Nile Perch Girls' Night Out

2015 Novel

A novel portraying a group of women; a prize-winning work blending social themes with entertainment.

womenfriendshipsociety
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Nile Perch Girls' Night Out (2021)

BUTTER

2017 Novel

Published in 2017. The English translation attracted international attention and critical recognition.

consumer culturewomensociety
Translations
  • English: Butter

Lunch no Akko-chan

2013 Novel

An ensemble story set around a lunch shop; adapted into an NHK TV drama.

foodeveryday liferelationships
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Lunch no Akko-chan (2015)

Ito-kun A to E

2013 Novel

A work about relationships and romance; it was nominated for the Naoki Prize and adapted for TV and film.

romancerelationships
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Ito-kun A to E (TV) (2017)
  • [Film] Ito-kun A to E (Film) (2018)

Magical Grandma

2019 Novel

A novel featuring older protagonists; shortlisted for the Naoki Prize.

agingfamilyhumor

Not for You, Unfortunately

2024 Novel

Published in 2024; it was one of the works nominated for the Naoki Prize.

human relationshipscontemporary society

Bibliography

  • The Girl at the Last Stop
  • Amakara Quartet
  • The Grieving Beauty
  • Annoying Junior
  • A Hotel Fit for Me
  • The Queen's Return
  • Lunch no Akko-chan
  • Ito-kun A to E
  • Nile Perch Girls' Night Out
  • BUTTER
  • Magical Grandma
  • By the Way, Gentlemen
  • All Not
  • Rantan
  • Not for You, Unfortunately

Adaptations

  • The Grieving Beauty (TV drama, 2013)
  • Lunch no Akko-chan (TV drama, 2015)
  • Ito-kun A to E (TV 2017 / Film 2018)
  • Nile Perch Girls' Night Out (TV drama, 2021)
  • The Queen's Return (Audio drama, 2018)
  • A Hotel Fit for Me (Film, 2024)

Translations of Works

  • BUTTER (English translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Conversational, accessible proseA blend of entertainment and social commentary
Recurring Motifs
female friendships and complex relationshipsfood and everyday detailsintergenerational gaps and empathy

Legacy

Recognized as a prominent contemporary Japanese woman novelist; awards and screen adaptations have extended her influence to a broad readership both domestically and internationally.

Academic Societies

  • Japan PEN Club

Archives

  • National Diet Library (Asako Yuzuki related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • Lunch no Akko-chan (TV adaptation)
  • Nile Perch Girls' Night Out (TV adaptation)

Trivia

  • Real name is not publicly disclosed
  • Graduate of Rikkyo University, Department of French Literature
  • Attended a scenario/screenwriting center in university aiming to be a screenwriter
  • Has past work experience at a confectionery company
  • Several works have been adapted to TV, film, and audio drama
  • Notable works include "Nile Perch Girls' Night Out" and "BUTTER"