Emotionally Stirring Nonfiction 'Choosing Life: A Woman's Story of Defying Genetic Disease' Begins Serialization on Asahi Shimbun Digital!

Shodensha Co., Ltd. (Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku) has announced that the nonfiction book 'Choosing Life: A Woman's Story of Defying Genetic Disease' by Susumu Shimoyama, released on May 2, 2026, will be serialized on Asahi Shimbun Digital. This is the first serialization by an external author on the platform. It will be distributed for 8 days starting June 4 (7 out of 21 chapters will be distributed; the prologue and Chapter 1 are free to read. The 8th installment will be an interview with the author).

The book focuses on the cruel genetic disease 'retinoblastoma,' which causes loss of vision in exchange for life. The only way to prevent passing the disease to the next generation is 'preimplantation genetic diagnosis' (PGD), but for some reason, this was not possible in Japan.

This is a moving nonfiction story centered on a woman who, together with her child, exposed their faces and names to the public to challenge this injustice and opened the door to regulation in Japan. The author conducted extensive interviews with genetic disease patients, disability groups, obstetricians, pediatricians, and others to write this book.

Author's comment:
'I hear this is the first serialization by an external author on Asahi Shimbun Digital. They decided to publish it after reading the raw manuscript before it became a book. This serialization will depict for the first time the half of the world that newspapers and television have not covered regarding this issue. It is the world seen from the perspective of genetic disease patients who wished not to pass on their illness to their children. Is their wish truly eugenics aimed at eradicating people with genetic diseases? Please read it.'

[Asahi Shimbun Digital Serialization Overview]
Distribution date: Part 1: June 4, 2026 (Thursday)
Prologue, Chapter 1: Free distribution
Subsequently, daily distribution for 8 days until June 11 (Thursday)
URL: https://www.asahi.com/rensai/list.html?id=3318&page=1

[Bibliographic Information]
Title: 'Choosing Life: A Woman's Story of Defying Genetic Disease'
Release date: May 2, 2026
Price: 1,980 yen (tax included)
Pages: 320 pages
Size: 46-size hardcover
Publisher: Shodensha

[Profile]
Susumu Shimoyama
Completed the Advanced International Reporting Program at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1993. Left Bungeishunju Ltd. in March 2019 to become independent. Authored books include 'Media in 2050' (2023, Bunshun Bunko), 'Conquering Cancer' (2024, Shinchosha), 'The Turning Point' (2002, Kadokawa Bunko), 'Sustainable Media' (2025, Asahi Shinsho). Currently writes a 2-page column in AERA. Former specially-appointed professor at Keio University Faculty of Policy Management, part-time lecturer at Sophia University Department of Journalism. Currently a part-time lecturer at the University of the Sacred Heart, Faculty of Liberal Arts, and Rikkyo University Faculty of Sociology.