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Japanese mystery author Keigo Higashino passes away at 68

Published Jul 28, 2026 11:13 am Add PhilSTAR Life on Google

Beloved Japanese author Keigo Higashino, who is known for his work in the mystery genre, has passed away at 68.

The tragic news was announced in a statement published through his official X account.

"To everyone, writer Keigo Higashino passed away in the early hours of July 23. We hereby respectfully express our condolences and inform you of this," the statement read.

Higashino had succumbed to his battle with colorectal cancer.

Before taking up a pen and becoming a full-time writer, Higashino first worked as an engineer while he worked on his novels on the side. After winning the 31st Edogawa Rampo Prize with his 1985 debut novel, Hokago (After School), he decided to focus on writing as his career.

Since then, he became one of Japan's most celebrated mystery authors and published a total of 106 novels.

Among his best-known titles are The Devotion of Suspect X, Journey Under the Midnight Sun, Malice, The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, and The Newcomer.

Many of his novels were also adapted into successful films and television dramas in Japan and abroad.

His last work, Eternal Memory, is scheduled for publication on Aug 5.