Sayaka Murata's 'Convenience Store Woman' (Bunshun Bunko), which has been translated into 46 countries and regions (as of today), has surpassed a cumulative total of 3 million copies worldwide, with over 2 million copies sold in Japan alone.

What is 'normal'? A story for you, if you have ever felt even the slightest sense of discomfort with society's standards—

The story of Keiko Furukura, a woman in her 18th year of working part-time at a convenience store, is creating a whirlwind of shock and empathy around the world.

Since the English edition, 'Convenience Store Woman,' was published in 2018, it has received reviews in major media outlets such as the British newspaper 'The Guardian,' the American newspaper 'The New York Times,' and the American magazine 'The New Yorker.' It was also selected as one of 'The Best Books of 2018' by 'The New Yorker.'

Last November, the NHK news program 'Ohayo Nippon' (broadcast on November 4, 2025) featured the work as a piece that publishing industry insiders credit with sparking the 'global boom in Japanese literature,' which generated a massive response.

Now, its momentum in Japan shows no signs of stopping, as it has also claimed the top spot on the 'Hot Heisei Books' chart (charts released on 3/19 and 3/26), which is compiled by Billboard JAPAN. (https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=heiseibooks&year=2026&month=03&day=31)

To commemorate surpassing 3 million copies, there is yet another new book band!

◼︎ Synopsis 36 years old, unmarried, no boyfriend. Keiko Furukura has been working part-time at a convenience store for 18 years. She eats convenience store food every day, rings up items in her dreams, and only feels like a functioning gear in the world when she is a 'store clerk.'

'Welcome!!'

Determined not to be outdone by the noise of the customers, she raises her voice again today. One day, a new male hire named Shiraha, who is only there to find a marriage partner, arrives and confronts her, telling her that such a 'convenience store way of life' is shameful, but...

◼︎ Bibliographic Information Title: 'Convenience Store Woman' (Konbini Ningen) Author: Sayaka Murata Price: 693 yen (tax included) Publisher: Bungeishunju Ltd. Number of pages: 176 pages ISBN: 978-4-16-791130-0 Bibliographic URL: https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784167911300

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News