Japanese mystery novelist Keigo Higashino died after battling colorectal cancer. He was 68.
Japanese publisher Kodansha said on the 27th, "Writer Keigo Higashino passed away in the early morning of July 23 from colorectal cancer. The funeral was held privately by the bereaved family."
It added, "We offer our deepest condolences," and "we also ask that press inquiries to the bereaved family be refrained from. We are sorry, but we will politely decline condolence money, floral tributes and condolence letters."
It added, "We will inform you of detailed matters such as whether a memorial gathering will be held as they are decided," and said, "Keigo Higashino's works total 106 volumes, from his 1986 debut published in September, After School, to his latest work, Eien no Kioku, scheduled for publication on Aug. 5, 2026. We believe the many stories he created will continue to captivate many readers."
Keigo Higashino was a leading Japanese mystery novelist, with about 109 million copies sold in Japan.
He also has a strong fandom domestically, with many works becoming bestsellers. Works such as The Devotion of Suspect X, Byakuyakō, The Silent Parade, The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, and The Guardians of the Green Tree were popular.
[Photo] Keigo Higashino profile.
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