Author Hotate Shinkawa's New Novel 'Mugi wa Karenai' to Begin Serialization in Nihonkai Shimbun from May 12, 2026

Popular author Hotate Shinkawa, known for works such as 'Motokare no Yuigonjo' and 'Onna no Kokkai,' will begin serializing her new original novel 'Mugi wa Karenai' (Wheat Never Withers) in the Nihonkai Shimbun from May 12, 2026, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the newspaper's founding. The serialization is a special project planned by Shin Nihonkai Shimbun Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 2-chome, Tomiyasu, Tottori City; Representative Director and President: Toru Yoshioka). Illustrator Yukiyo Kaneko will be in charge of the artwork.

Shin Nihonkai Shimbun Co., Ltd. will celebrate its 50th anniversary in May 2026, and this work was planned as a special commemorative project. When Ms. Shinkawa was asked to write a novel set in Tottori Prefecture, with the Arid Land Research Center at Tottori University as its theme, she readily accepted, leading to the realization of this serialization. It will be divided into a 20-episode prologue until the end of May and the main story starting in July, with the narrative expected to continue until around January 2027.

PR poster for 'Mugi wa Karenai'. Artwork by Yukiyo Kaneko.

The story is set at the Arid Land Research Center at Tottori University (Tottori City), which confronts global challenges such as desertification and drought caused by climate change. It depicts researchers striving to develop wheat varieties resistant to dryness and high temperatures. With the desire to 'make the wheat born at the Arid Land Research Center sprout,' the setting also moves to Sudan. Please look forward to the story unfolding with Ms. Kaneko's illustrations.

Link to the 'Mugi wa Karenai' serialization site.

Author Hotate Shinkawa, who wrote 'Mugi wa Karenai' (Photo by Marisa Shimamoto).

Hotate Shinkawa Profile:
Born in Texas, USA, in 1991, and raised in Miyazaki Prefecture. After graduating from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law, she worked as a lawyer. She made her debut as an author in 2021 after winning the 19th 'Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!' Award. Her award-winning work 'Motokare no Yuigonjo' and 'Kyoso no Bannin' were successively adapted into TV dramas. Her first newspaper serialization, 'Himawari,' was well-received in the Nihonkai Shimbun and other publications, and in 2025, she won the 38th Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for 'Onna no Kokkai.' Other works include 'Senzo Tantei,' 'Enkiri Joto!', and the 'Maho Gakko no Reijin Shitsuji' series.

[Comment from Ms. Shinkawa]
I will deliver a story about researchers who create wheat varieties resistant to dryness and high temperatures. This is a special story written for the readers of Nihonkai Shimbun to commemorate its 50th anniversary. It is a challenging story spanning Tottori and Sudan, so it will fly to Sudan midway. However, it will definitely return to Tottori. I hope you will enjoy following it.

Artist Yukiyo Kaneko Profile:
Born in Niigata Prefecture. Graduated from Tokyo Zokei University. Completed Illustration Aoyama Juku. In 2019, she won the MAYA Award at the MAYA-so Art Competition. As an illustrator, she primarily works on book covers and magazine illustrations.

[Comment from Ms. Kaneko]
While enjoying Ms. Hotate Shinkawa's narrative as a reader, I hope to carefully depict the charm of the theme of growing wheat in the desert and the emotional changes of the Sudanese youth. Although I am somewhat perplexed by the unfamiliar subject matter, I want to portray its interesting aspects as well.

Artist Yukiyo Kaneko.

'Mugi wa Karenai' will be available on the Nihonkai Shimbun digital edition.

Shin Nihonkai Shimbun Co., Ltd. will simultaneously distribute Ms. Shinkawa's original new novel on its digital news site 'Net Nihonkai' (for subscribers only). Readers outside Tottori Prefecture, where the paper newspaper is not delivered, can also read the serialized novel in real-time.

Back issues also included in the digital edition.

The digital news site will include back issues for a certain period. This is convenient if you miss an episode or want to read them all at once.

To view the novel on the Nihonkai Shimbun digital edition, you need to subscribe to the 'Digital Only Plan' (2,600 yen per month) or the 'Delivery Plus Plan' (set with the paper newspaper / 3,300 yen per month).

Please apply using the button below. The subscription fee for the first month of application is free (subscription fees will be required from the following month).

Apply for Nihonkai Shimbun Digital Edition.

'Mugi wa Karenai' poster present for 10 people.

To commemorate the serialization of Hotate Shinkawa's novel 'Mugi wa Karenai,' Shin Nihonkai Shimbun Co., Ltd. will present a 'Mugi wa Karenai' poster (B3 size) to 10 lucky winners selected by lottery from those who subscribe to the 'Digital Only Plan' or 'Delivery Plus Plan' by the end of July 2026. Existing subscribers are also eligible. The deadline is August 20, 2026.

Please apply using the button below.

Apply for the poster present.

[Shin Nihonkai Shimbun Co., Ltd. Company Profile]
Company Name: Shin Nihonkai Shimbun Co., Ltd.
Location: 2-137 Tomiyasu, Tottori City
Representative: Toru Yoshioka, Representative Director and President
Network: [Headquarters] Tottori City [Chubu Headquarters] Kurayoshi City [Seibu Headquarters] Yonago City [Branches] Tokyo, Osaka, Tajima, Matsue, Sakaiminato [Bureaus] Hiroshima, Hino
URL: https://www.nnn.