Two creative works published in Bungeishunju Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeyuki Iikubo) literary magazine 'Bungakukai' have been nominated for the 175th Akutagawa Ryunosuke Prize: Yu Murashi's 'The Time of the Solitaire Uncle' (Bungakukai May issue) and Suzumi Suzuki's 'Bad Blood' (Bungakukai June issue).

The 175th Akutagawa Prize selection meeting will be held in Tokyo on Wednesday, July 15.

*Both works are scheduled to be published as books on Monday, July 6.

'Bungakukai' May 2026 issue, June 2026 issue

Nominated Work: 'The Time of the Solitaire Uncle'

Kuronoda-san, who used to be at the workplace, passed away. I called him 'Solitaire Uncle' in my mind, but he was said to have been a capable employee once.

Attending the wake, I confront the stagnation of life through his death. About Kaishi, the last devoted disciple of Kuronoda-san, about the company I joined mid-career, and about myself, who had turned 30 without realizing it.

▼Author Profile

Yu Murashi

Born in 1979. Graduated from Kyushu University, Faculty of Literature. Lives in Kyoto Prefecture. Debuted in 2026 by winning the 131st Bungakukai Newcomer Award for this work.

'Bungakukai' May 2026 issue

Nominated Work: 'Bad Blood'

Unexpectedly finding myself in a situation requiring a prenatal checkup, four tubes of blood were drawn.

Waking up in the middle of the night, driven by an overwhelming feeling of unforgivable anger, I step out into the night-time hospital to reclaim my blood. Descending the hospital stairs in jeweled sandals, I am confronted with numerous past deeds.

▼Author Profile

Suzumi Suzuki

Born in 1983, from Tokyo. Graduated from Keio University. Completed a master's course at the University of Tokyo Graduate School. Was a consecutive two-time Akutagawa Prize nominee for 'Gifted' and 'Graceless'. Her books include 'The Sociology of AV Actresses (Expanded New Edition)', 'Sayonara to Selling the Body', 'The Prostitute's Bookshelf', 'No Animals', 'Color is a Girl in Elegant Melodies', and 'Correspondence: Starting from the Limits' (co-authored). This is her third time as an Akutagawa Prize nominee.

'Bungakukai' June 2026 issue

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