Haruki Murakami Withdraws His Book from This Year’s Alternative Nobel Prize

Famed Japanese author Haruki Murakami has requested that his 2017 book Killing Commendatore be withdrawn from this year’s alternative Nobel Prize in Literature award. This year sees an alternative award called the New Academy Prize in Literature, as the original has been postponed this year following a sexual misconduct scandal.

Murakami expressed gratitude at the nomination, but stated that he was choosing to withdraw in order to “concentrate on writing, away from media attention.” The news was announced via the academy’s Facebook page, where it was stated the academy “regrets but respects his decision.”

The New Academy Prize in Literature was established by several Swedish cultural figures after it was announced that the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature would be postponed after a sexual misconduct scandal at the Swedish Academy came to light. The remaining nominees include Neil Gaiman, Maryse Conde and Kim Thuy. The prize will be awarded in October.

Haruki Murakami is one of Japan most celebrated authors, and is best known for novels such as Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and IQ84. Despite his fame, Murakami is known for going out of his way to avoid the limelight.