TOKYO: Tributes have poured in following the death of celebrated mystery novelist Keigo Higashino, who passed away on Thursday after a career spanning more than four decades that helped redefine Japanese crime fiction.
Higashino became one of Japan's most influential mystery writers, with many of his bestselling novels adapted into films and television dramas. His works also gained a huge international readership, particularly across Asia, before finding growing audiences in Europe and the United States.
His 106th book, excluding co-authored works, Eien no Kioku (Eternal Memory), the latest instalment in the Detective Galileo series, is scheduled for publication on Aug. 5.
The Detective Galileo series, featuring a brilliant physicist solving complex criminal cases, was adapted into a highly successful television and film franchise starring actor Masaharu Fukuyama, with Ko Shibasaki also appearing in the series.
Fukuyama paid tribute on social media, writing: "As a character in the author's works and as a reader, I hope to continue being enchanted by the stories he creates."
Fellow author Bin Konno, who succeeded Higashino as president of Mystery Writers of Japan, remembered him as a warm and engaging person.
"He had star quality," Konno said. "He hardly ever talked about his work; he would just make small talk. I remember him as being very cheerful and bright at parties and other events."
Higashino's novels were widely translated throughout Asia from the 2000s, building a particularly strong following in Chinese-speaking regions during the following decade. In recent years, his popularity expanded further into Europe and the United States.
Chinese state media, including China Central Television, quickly reported news of his death.
Bookstores in Beijing displayed more than 70 of his titles, with readers purchasing his books in large numbers after the announcement. On Chinese social media platform Weibo, searches for "Keigo Higashino death" quickly climbed to the top of trending topics.
Taiwanese media reported that a local publisher had recently released a commemorative collector's edition of Higashino's acclaimed novel The Miracles of the Namiya General Store to celebrate sales surpassing 500,000 copies.
In Tokyo, Sanseido Bookstore in Yurakucho created a special display dedicated to the late author.
"His plot twists were brilliant, but I also loved his heart-wrenching human dramas," said a 50-year-old office worker from Tokyo's Setagaya Ward. "He produced books at such an extraordinary pace that it was hard to believe he was a real person. I'm in shock." - Japan News/ANN
