I took just a quick enough break reading about other things happening in the US right now to see via the Asahi that Yamada Amy has won the prestigious Noma Literary Prize for her novel 「ジェントルマン」(“Gentleman”). A big name in Japan but relatively under-translated in America, Yamada only has Trash and Bedtime Eyes, as well as some short stories in various collections, available in English. She will also receive three million yen.

In addition to the main prize, the Noma Literary New Writer’s Prize goes to Hiwa Akiko and Yamashita Sumito, for their novels 「螺法四千年記」(“The 4,000 Year History of Rahou”) and 「緑のさる」(“The Green Monkey”), respectively. They each will receive a million yen.

Finally, the Noma Literary Award for Children’s Literature goes to Ishizaki Hiroshi for his novel 「世界の果ての魔女学校」(“The School for Witches at the End of the World”). He will receive two million yen.