The 172nd Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes were awarded recently to three promising authors during a ceremony held at the Shin-Kiraku restaurant in Tsukiji, Tokyo, on January 15, 2025. The prestigious Akutagawa Prize, known for recognizing the best of contemporary Japanese literature, was awarded to Jose Ando, aged 30, for his work titled DTOPIA, and to 23-year-old Yuui Suzuki for his novel Goethe Said It All. The Naoki Prize, which celebrates outstanding popular fiction, went to 52-year-old Shin Iyohara for his short story collection The Sea That Continues Blue.
The award-winning work DTOPIA delves deeply through the lens of a reality dating show set on a southern island, exploring complex themes of colonialism, violence, and issues surrounding gender and sexuality. Ando, who was born in Tokyo and debuted with Jackson Alone, expressed his joy at receiving the award, stating, "If my work can help uplift novels and literature, I would be happy." His engaging narrative has captivated audiences, prompting discussions on serious societal issues.
Meanwhile, Suzuki's Goethe Said It All follows the intellectual quest of a university professor who seeks to discover the provenance of Goethe's reputed quotes. This novel marks Suzuki's second publication, with her debut work recognized by the Hayashi Fumiko Literary Prize. During the awards ceremony, she indicated her ambition by saying, "I want to write old yet new love stories," highlighting her focus on creating narratives with timeless themes but fresh perspectives.
Shin Iyohara's acclaimed The Sea That Continues Blue intertwines the tales of characters with diverse backgrounds seeking the legendary clay used for making Hagi pottery. Iyohara, who has transitioned from academia to literary success, remarked on his hope to depict human resilience and creativity through scientific viewpoints. His past work had already earned him recognition, making this his second nomination for the Naoki Prize.
Masahiko Shimada, one of the award judges, praised the creativity displayed by both Ando and Suzuki, declaring them "the most exuberant and full of vigor" among the nominees. He added, "The themes are abundant, yet the enchanting details include elements of violence" when discussing DTOPIA. Mitsuyo Kakuta highlighted Suzuki's narrative style, noting, "The characters navigate through the forest of the works left behind by intellectual giants," demonstrating the complexity and depth of her exploration.
This year's awards ceremony not only celebrated the accomplishments of the authors but also reinforced the importance of literature as a means to address pressing social issues and enrich cultural discourse. The literary community anticipates the influence these awards will have on the authors' future endeavors within Japanese literature.
The award presentation is set to occur later this February, where each winner will receive 1 million yen alongside the honor of their titles. The recognition of their works through these esteemed prizes is expected to promote their writing careers significantly.
Overall, the 172nd Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes emblemize the vitality and depth of contemporary Japanese literature, showcasing voices eager to engage with literary traditions and contemporary themes. With winners like Ando, Suzuki, and Iyohara, the future of Japanese storytelling looks bright and promising.