Famous Japanese mystery novelist Keigo Higashino [AFP=Yonhap News]It has been belatedly reported that Keigo Higashino, the "godfather of Japanese mystery novels" and author of bestsellers such as "The Miracles of the Namiya General Store" and "The Devotion of Suspect X"—works also famous in South Korea—has passed away from colon cancer.

According to local media including NHK on the 27th, the author passed away on the 23rd following a battle with colon cancer. He was 68.

Born in Osaka Prefecture and a graduate of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Osaka Prefecture University, he made his debut in 1985 at the age of 27 with the mystery novel "After School," which he wrote while working as an engineer.

The work won the Edogawa Rampo Prize, the most prestigious literary award for new mystery writers hosted by the Mystery Writers of Japan.

He left behind numerous works primarily in the mystery genre and gained immense popularity among readers both in and outside of Japan for his "Galileo" series, featuring a genius physicist, which began in 1998.

Higashino received the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1999 for "The Secret," and in 2006, he was awarded the Naoki Prize, the most prestigious award for Japanese popular literature, for "The Devotion of Suspect X."

"The Devotion of Suspect X," which depicts a genius high school math teacher attempting the perfect crime to help the neighbors he cares for, only to have it unraveled by his friend, also a genius physicist, even won the Honkaku Mystery Award, another prestigious mystery novel prize in Japan.

Works such as "The Devotion of Suspect X" and "Journey Under the Midnight Sun" were adapted into films in both Korea and Japan.

"The Miracles of the Namiya General Store," which won the Japan Central Public Interest Literature Award in 2012, was the work that made the name Keigo Higashino widely known in Korea, consistently ranking at the top of bestseller lists for years and selling over 1 million copies.

This work was also ranked as the 10th best-selling book of the past decade in data compiled by Yes24 last year.

He was known for being a prolific writer, having produced 106 solo works, a pace so rapid that some even questioned whether a single author could be writing them all.

According to Kodansha, Japan's largest publisher, which announced his passing, his total circulation in Japan reached approximately 109 million copies, and his books have been published in 41 countries.

In 2023, he was awarded a medal by the Japanese government, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in fields including academics, arts, sports, and technological development.

Last year, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his debut, he released "Masquerade Life," the fifth installment in his "Masquerade" series of mystery novels set in a hotel.

Even while battling cancer, he did not stop writing, and he had been scheduled to publish the latest full-length novel in the "Galileo" series, "Eternal Memory," on the 5th of next month.

According to Kodansha, his funeral was held privately with only family members in attendance, in accordance with the wishes of his bereaved family.

The publisher added that it would announce any future plans, such as a memorial service for the author, as they are decided.