Japanese mystery fiction author Keigo Higashino has died aged 68, his publisher said on Monday, triggering an outpouring of grief among fans across Asia.Since his 1985 debut, Higashino wrote more than 100 books, with his works translated and published in over 40 countries and territories, and widely adapted for film and television. “Author Keigo Higashino passed away due to colon cancer in the early morning of July 23. He was 68,” publisher Kodansha said in a statement.A statement posted on Higashino’s X account said that the author’s “published works, from his debut novel ‘After School’, released in Sept 1985, to his latest book ‘Eternal Memory’, scheduled for release on Aug 5, 2026, total 106 books”.Known for his versatility, the award-winning novelist had worked as an engineer before switching to writing full-time. His books merge science and detective fiction alongside acute observations on human nature and heartwarming tearjerkers, according to major bookstore chain Maruzen Junkudo.Higashino, whose books include “The Devotion of Suspect X” and “Malice”, enjoyed a loyal following around Asia, including in China where thousands of people took to social media to mourn the writer. His “The Keeper of the Camphor Tree” was turned into an animated film, and the “Galileo” series of detective novels became a live-action TV series.According to Higashino’s publisher, his books have topped 100 million copies in domestic circulation.Former novelist turned ultraconservative politician Naoki Hyakuta described Higashino on X as a “truly talented writer”. “He understood what a story is, and what excellent writing is,” he wrote.In China, Higashino’s passing became one of the top trending topics on social media platform Weibo. Despite the volatile diplomatic ties between Beijing and Tokyo, his works have long been popular among readers in China. “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store” sold more than 10 million copies within its first four years in the mainland Chinese market, according to news portal ifeng.com.He was also popular in South Korea. “I’ve read so many of Keigo Higashino’s books, and this feels so surreal. There are still so many of his books I haven’t gotten around to reading yet,” said a Threads user in Korea. “Higashino had always been there ever since I was a kid, and thanks to him, I was able to become a mystery novelist in South Korea,” author Park Ha-ru said.(BY AFP)
