Nobel-winning Japanese novelist Kenzaburo Oe dies aged 88

Peace activist Kenzaburo Oe, who died of old age on March 3, was the second Japanese author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Photo: AFP

Nobel-winning Japanese novelist Kenzaburo Oe, a leading liberal voice who defended the disenfranchised and challenged the conformity of modern society, has died aged 88.

"He died of old age in the early hours of March 3," publisher Kodansha said in a statement on Monday, adding that a family funeral has already been held.