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Agence France-Presse

Japanese mystery fiction author Keigo Higashino died from colon cancer on July 23 aged 68, triggering an outpouring of grief among fans across Asia.
Higashino wrote more than 100 books. His works have been translated and published in more than 40 countries and territories and widely adapted for film and television.
A statement posted on Higashino’s X account said that the author’s “published works, from his debut novel After School, released in September 1985, to his latest book Eternal Memory, scheduled for release on August 5, 2026, total 106 books. The stories he created will continue to captivate many readers.”
Known for his versatility, the award-winning novelist worked as an engineer before switching to writing full-time.
His books merge science and detective fiction with acute observations on human nature and heartwarming tear-jerkers, according to major bookshop chain Maruzen Junkudo.
Higashino, whose books include The Devotion of Suspect X (2005) and Malice (1996), enjoyed a loyal following around Asia, including in China, where thousands of people took to social media to mourn the writer.
His novel The Keeper of the Camphor Tree (2025) 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.
One Japanese user on X said: “Thank you very much. Your Detective Galileo series was the first novel I bought. Thank you very much for giving me the best reading experience ever.”
Said another user: “Ever since I took up Mr Higashino’s novel as a teen, my life as a book lover started. His novels stunned me, influenced me and made me experience a whole range of emotions. These are all treasures of mine.”
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, the death of the Japanese novelist quickly became one of the top trending topics on social media platform Weibo.

Despite the volatile diplomatic ties between Beijing and Tokyo, Higashino’s works have long been massively popular among readers in China.
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store (2012) sold more than 10 million copies within its first four years on the mainland Chinese market, according to news portal ifeng.com.
“His works accompanied me throughout my high school years. Rest in peace,” one Weibo user said.
“I got through the darkest period of my life by reading his novels,” another wrote.
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 got around to reading yet,” said one Threads user in Korea.
“Higashino had always been there ever since I was a little kid, and thanks to him, I was able to become a mystery novelist in South Korea. May he rest in peace,” author Park Ha-ru said on his Threads account.


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Asia mourns Japanese mystery novelist Keigo Higashino, who died at 68

Japanese mystery author Keigo Higashino died on July 28 in Tokyo. Fans took to social media to mourn him and celebrate his works. Photo: Kyodo


Higashino holds a press conference in Tokyo in January 2006 after winning the prestigious Naoki Prize for The Devotion of Suspect X. Photo: Kyodo

Masaharu Fukuyama (left) and Ko Shibasaki in a still from the TV series Galileo, based on Higashino’s book series. Photo: Douyin

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Lifestyle

Fans took to social media to mourn the death of Higashino, who published more than 100 books


Fans took to social media to mourn the death of Higashino, who published more than 100 books.


Fame and celebrity

Obituaries

Obituary

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Fans took to social media to mourn the death of Higashino, who published more than 100 books

Fans took to social media to mourn the death of Higashino, who published more than 100 books