Sayaka Murata's 'Convenience Store Woman' Surpasses 3 Million Copies Worldwide! New Obi Strip Introduced.

Sayaka Murata's "Convenience Store Woman" (Bungei Shunju Bunko), translated in 46 countries and regions (as of today), has surpassed a cumulative total of 3 million copies worldwide and 2 million copies domestically.

What is "Normal"? A story for you — who has felt even the slightest discomfort with society's standards. The story of Keiko Furukura, a woman working her 18th year as a convenience store clerk, has created waves of shock and empathy worldwide.

When the English version, "Convenience Store Woman," was published in 2018, it was successively reviewed by major media outlets such as the British newspaper The Guardian, the American newspaper The New York Times, and the American magazine The New Yorker. It was also selected as one of The New Yorker's "Best Books of 2018."

Last November, NHK News "Ohayo Nippon" (broadcast on November 4, 2025) featured a special on the work, calling it "a work that publishing insiders believe has ignited the 'Japanese literature boom' worldwide," receiving a great response.

Now, its momentum continues domestically, topping the charts on Billboard JAPAN's annual chart "Hot Heisei Books" (charts released March 19th and 26th). (https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=heiseibooks&year=2026&month=03&day=31)

To commemorate surpassing 3 million copies, a new obi strip has been created!

Work Content Introduction Keiko Furukura, 36 years old, single, no boyfriend. She has been working as a convenience store clerk for 18 years. She eats convenience store meals daily, dreams of operating the register, and can only become a cog in the world's machine when she is "a store clerk."

"Welcome!!" Today too, she shouts her voice, not to be outdone by the sounds customers make. One day, Shiraha, a newcomer employee looking for a marriage partner, arrives and tells her that her convenience store-like way of life is embarrassing...

Bibliographic Information Title: "Convenience Store Woman" Author: Sayaka Murata Price: 693 yen (tax included) Publisher: Bungeishunju Ltd. Pages: 176 pages ISBN: 978-4-16-791130-0 Bibliographic URL: https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784167911300

Keywords: Convenience Store Woman, Sayaka Murata, 3 Million Copies Sold