Akutagawa Prize

あくたがわりゅうのすけしょう

The Akutagawa Prize is Japan's pure literature new talent award. Awarded twice a year to outstanding short and medium-length works.

Pure literatureNew talent awardShort story / Medium-length story

Established: 1935
Organizer: Japan Literature Promotion Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) (De facto related to Bungeishunjū Co.)
Category: Pure Literature
Selection Method: Non-open
Target: Newcomer
Frequency: 2 per year
Announcement Period: around July, around January
Status: Active

Description

Established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, Japan's pure literature new talent award. Organized by the Japan Literature Promotion Foundation (a public interest incorporated foundation within Bungeishunjū), targeting short and medium-length works by unknown/emerging writers published in newspapers, magazines, etc. Selection involves pre-screening (under-reading) by Bungeishunjū selection staff (group meetings → plenary meetings) to narrow candidates, with final decision by the selection committee. Principal award: pocket watch, prize money: 1 million yen. Winning works published in Bungeishunjū, etc. Announcements: first half mid-July, second half mid-January. Selection meetings held at ryotei 'Shin-Kiraku'; award ceremonies formerly at Tokyo Kaikan, now at Imperial Hotel.

Prize

Main Prize: Principal award: Pocket watch, Prize money: 1 million yen and publication of winning work in Bungeishunjū, etc.
Cash Prize: 1,000,000 JPY

Pocket watch (principal award)
Publication of winning work in Bungeishunjū
Award ceremony and press conference (formerly: Tokyo Kaikan, currently: Imperial Hotel)

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Pre-selection (under-reading)	Bungeishunjū selection staff (approx. 20 members, 4 groups of 5 each for under-reading)	—	Each group selects recommended works, narrows further in plenary meeting. Repeats group → plenary meetings approx. 12-14 times to determine final 5-6 candidates.
Final candidate confirmation (candidate intent confirmation)	Bungeishunjū selection staff and Japan Literature Promotion Foundation	—	Upon final candidate determination, confirm candidate's award acceptance intent and announce nominated works.
Final selection (selection committee)	Selection committee appointed by Japan Literature Promotion Foundation (generally around 9 members, varies by year)	—	Judges pre-score nominees (○△×), disclose evaluations at selection meeting (Shin-Kiraku), deliberate and vote to select winner.
Announcement and award ceremony	Selection committee and organizer	—	First half: mid-July, second half: mid-January—announce winner at press conference. Award ceremony next month (currently Imperial Hotel).

Pre-selection (under-reading)

Judges Bungeishunjū selection staff (approx. 20 members, 4 groups of 5 each for under-reading)

Announcement Each group selects recommended works, narrows further in plenary meeting. Repeats group → plenary meetings approx. 12-14 times to determine final 5-6 candidates.

Final candidate confirmation (candidate intent confirmation)

Judges Bungeishunjū selection staff and Japan Literature Promotion Foundation

Announcement Upon final candidate determination, confirm candidate's award acceptance intent and announce nominated works.

Final selection (selection committee)

Judges Selection committee appointed by Japan Literature Promotion Foundation (generally around 9 members, varies by year)

Announcement Judges pre-score nominees (○△×), disclose evaluations at selection meeting (Shin-Kiraku), deliberate and vote to select winner.

Announcement and award ceremony

Judges Selection committee and organizer

Announcement First half: mid-July, second half: mid-January—announce winner at press conference. Award ceremony next month (currently Imperial Hotel).

Criteria

Emphasis on pure literariness and artistry
Being unknown/new writer (newness sometimes debated in selection)
Already published short/medium-length work in newspapers/magazines etc.
Work length approx. 100-200 manuscript sheets guideline (under 300 sheets typical)
Evaluates literary completion, uniqueness, novelty of expression

Application Tips

Dos

Aim for publication in newspapers/magazines (published works eligible)
Enhance pure literature artistry and expressive perfection
Adjust length to 100-200 manuscript sheets (guideline)
Refine unique perspective/style, emphasize character depiction and human relations depth

Don''ts

Misunderstand as direct submission eligible (Akutagawa is non-open)
Lean toward superficial topical expressions
Forcefully combine linked shorts for nomination (may be ineligible)
Prioritize commerciality only

From Judges

Even asserting novelty in novel form, depict characters/human relations carefully (common evaluation point)
Avoid trends/superficial ideas; demonstrate literary completion
Newness debated among committee, so emphasize work's persuasiveness