Japanese bestselling author Keigo Higashino (JP: 東野圭吾) died of colorectal cancer in the early hours of July 23. He was 68. Kodansha announced his death on July 27.
In a statement titled “Notice of the Passing of Keigo Higashino,” the publisher reported, “Author Keigo Higashino passed away from colorectal cancer in the early hours of July 23. He was 68 years old.”
His funeral was held privately with family members. The publisher requested that the media refrain from approaching his family for interviews. It also said that the family would not accept condolence money, flowers, or telegrams. Details regarding a memorial gathering will be announced once arrangements have been finalized.
Higashino made his literary debut with After School, published in September 1985. He went on to produce numerous bestsellers, including Journey Under the Midnight Sun, The Devotion of Suspect X, the Detective Galileo <a href="https://comicvibe.com/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-internal-upgrades/” title=”Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Internal upgrades”>series, the Newcomer series, and the Masquerade series. Many of his works were adapted into films and television dramas.
In 2026, The Camphorwood Custodian became the first work by Higashino to receive an animated film adaptation.
According to Kodansha, Higashino authored 106 books, excluding coauthored works, including his latest novel, Eien no Kioku, which is scheduled to be published by Bungeishunju on August 5, 2026.
“The stories he created will undoubtedly continue to captivate many readers,” the publisher commented. “We hope you will continue to enjoy Higashino’s novels.”
Keigo Higashino’s Career and Major Awards
Higashino was born in Osaka Prefecture on February 4, 1958. He graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Osaka Prefecture University.
While working as an engineer, he wrote After School (放課後), which won the 31st Edogawa Rampo Prize in 1985 and marked his debut as an author.
He received the 52nd Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Himitsu (秘密) in 1999. In 2006, The Devotion of Suspect X (容疑者Xの献身) won both the 134th Naoki Prize and the sixth Honkaku Mystery Grand Prize.
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store (ナミヤ雑貨店の奇蹟) received the seventh Chuo Koron Prize for Literature in 2012. Dream Flower (夢幻花) won the 26th Renzaburo Shibata Award in 2013, while The Final Curtain received the 48th Eiji Yoshikawa Prize for Literature in 2014.
Higashino also received the inaugural Noma Publishing Culture Award in 2019, the 71st Kikuchi Kan Prize in 2023, and the Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize in 2024.
He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2023. He also served as president of the Mystery Writers of Japan from 2009 to 2013.
More Than 100 Million Copies Published in Japan
Higashino reached a milestone of 100 published books in 2023. Around the same time, the total domestic circulation of his works surpassed 100 million copies. His books currently have approximately 109 million copies in circulation in Japan and have been published in 41 countries and regions.
In 2012, The Devotion of Suspect X was selected as one of five finalists for the Edgar Award for Best Novel, presented by the Mystery Writers of America.
In 2019, Newcomer was nominated for the International Dagger, presented by the United Kingdom’s Crime Writers’ Association. Higashino became the first Japanese author to be nominated for both the internationally prestigious Edgar Award and Dagger Award.
His works have inspired numerous adaptations in Japan and overseas, including films, television dramas, and stage productions. With 106 books published, excluding coauthored works, Higashino was regarded as one of Japan’s leading mystery writers.
- Obituary
