Akutagawa Prize-Winning Novel 'Tokyo Sympathy Tower' (Rie Qudan) to be Released as a Shincho Bunko Paperback on Wednesday, April 22
Rie Qudan's Akutagawa Prize-winning novel, highly discussed for its generative AI themes, will be released in paperback on April 22, featuring exclusive bonus content.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (4h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 01:32 (1h 30m after Collected)
The 170th Akutagawa Ryunosuke Prize-winning work, 'Tokyo Sympathy Tower' (Shincho Bunko) by Rie Qudan, one of the most internationally spotlighted Japanese authors today, will be published by Shinchosha on Wednesday, April 22.
This work caused a major stir when the author stated at the award press conference that 'about 5% of the text was written by generative AI'. The long-awaited paperback edition is a shocking piece that sharply questions the ethics of modern society, words that are diverging from reality, and the nature of 'creating' in the age of generative AI.
● A Highly Discussed Work Catching Global Attention. Publication Already Confirmed in 16 Countries
Since its initial hardcover publication, this book has drawn significant attention worldwide, being selected for the UK Financial Times 'Best Books of 2025' and featured in the US The Paris Review 'Our Favorite Books of 2025'. Just over two years after its publication, it is already scheduled to be published in 16 countries. Rie Qudan is currently one of the most globally watched Japanese authors.
● Paperback Bonus Content: Short Story, Dialogue, and Commentary Included
For the paperback release, the short story 'Planet Her or the Oldest Female Rapper', previously published in 'Eureka' (Seidosha), is specially included. In addition, it features a dialogue with architect Yuko Nagayama and commentary by architect Jun Aoki. Resonating between real and fictional architects, this book allows readers to enjoy the world of 'Tokyo Sympathy Tower' more multi-dimensionally.
● Book Description
It will be a tower that guides the city and points the way to the future. Architect Sara Makina participates in the competition for the Sympathy Tower Tokyo, a new-era prison where 'people who should be pitied' [Homo miserabilis] live. How tolerant must people be? In a Tokyo dominated by empty words and justice, the tower designed by Sara soars. A shocking Akutagawa Prize-winning novel that prophesied the arrival of the generative AI era. Upon its paperback release, an uncollected short story and a dialogue with architect Yuko Nagayama are specially included.
● Author Profile
Qudan Rie
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1990. Debuted in 2021 by winning the Bungakukai Rookie of the Year Award with 'Warui Ongaku' (Bad Music). Won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists with 'Schoolgirl' in 2023, the Noma Literary New Face Prize with 'Shi o Kaku Uma' (The Horse that Writes Poetry), and the Akutagawa Ryunosuke Prize with 'Tokyo Sympathy Tower' the following year in 2024.
©SHINCHOSHA
● Book Data
[Title] Tokyo Sympathy Tower
[Author] Rie Qudan
[Release Date] Wednesday, April 22, 2026
[Format] Paperback (Bunko)
[Price] 605 yen (tax included)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-106781-0
[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/106781/
This work caused a major stir when the author stated at the award press conference that 'about 5% of the text was written by generative AI'. The long-awaited paperback edition is a shocking piece that sharply questions the ethics of modern society, words that are diverging from reality, and the nature of 'creating' in the age of generative AI.
● A Highly Discussed Work Catching Global Attention. Publication Already Confirmed in 16 Countries
Since its initial hardcover publication, this book has drawn significant attention worldwide, being selected for the UK Financial Times 'Best Books of 2025' and featured in the US The Paris Review 'Our Favorite Books of 2025'. Just over two years after its publication, it is already scheduled to be published in 16 countries. Rie Qudan is currently one of the most globally watched Japanese authors.
● Paperback Bonus Content: Short Story, Dialogue, and Commentary Included
For the paperback release, the short story 'Planet Her or the Oldest Female Rapper', previously published in 'Eureka' (Seidosha), is specially included. In addition, it features a dialogue with architect Yuko Nagayama and commentary by architect Jun Aoki. Resonating between real and fictional architects, this book allows readers to enjoy the world of 'Tokyo Sympathy Tower' more multi-dimensionally.
● Book Description
It will be a tower that guides the city and points the way to the future. Architect Sara Makina participates in the competition for the Sympathy Tower Tokyo, a new-era prison where 'people who should be pitied' [Homo miserabilis] live. How tolerant must people be? In a Tokyo dominated by empty words and justice, the tower designed by Sara soars. A shocking Akutagawa Prize-winning novel that prophesied the arrival of the generative AI era. Upon its paperback release, an uncollected short story and a dialogue with architect Yuko Nagayama are specially included.
● Author Profile
Qudan Rie
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1990. Debuted in 2021 by winning the Bungakukai Rookie of the Year Award with 'Warui Ongaku' (Bad Music). Won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists with 'Schoolgirl' in 2023, the Noma Literary New Face Prize with 'Shi o Kaku Uma' (The Horse that Writes Poetry), and the Akutagawa Ryunosuke Prize with 'Tokyo Sympathy Tower' the following year in 2024.
©SHINCHOSHA
● Book Data
[Title] Tokyo Sympathy Tower
[Author] Rie Qudan
[Release Date] Wednesday, April 22, 2026
[Format] Paperback (Bunko)
[Price] 605 yen (tax included)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-106781-0
[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/106781/