Japanese author Haruki Murakami's new novel titled 'The Tale of KAHO' was unveiled at a midnight countdown event at Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
On July 2, 2026, a countdown event was held at Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo to distribute pre-purchased copies of the book after midnight. During the event, people counted down and received the first copies of the new book.
Atsushi Watanabe, a college student from Hadano, southwest of Tokyo, was among the first readers to receive a copy of the book minutes after midnight. Participants of the event included people of various ages.
Bookstore staff began preparations for the event a day earlier, organizing the countdown. This was one of the first events related to the release of Murakami's new novel.
Associated Press photographer Hiro Komae captured images of the event. The photos show joyful moments of the countdown, the faces of readers receiving the book, and the preparatory work of store staff.
Haruki Murakami is a world-renowned Japanese author whose works have been translated into many languages. His previous novels, such as 'Norwegian Wood,' '1Q84,' and 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage,' have been bestsellers.