[Shino Sakuragi's Latest Book] The truth of human drama and the "parent and child" behind the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident: The novel "Ijo ni arazu" is out today, April 22!
Naoki Prize-winning author Shino Sakuragi releases her latest novel, "Ijo ni arazu" (Not Abnormal), based on the real-life 1979 Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident. Special promotional events, including book signings, are scheduled across Japan.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (4h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 01:40 (1h 37m after Collected)
In January 1979 (Showa 54), Kiyoshi Hanakawa (30) took about 30 employees and customers hostage at the Kitabatake branch of the Hankyo Bank (Mitsubishi Bank) in Osaka City. The next day, the Osaka Prefectural Police flew a helicopter to bring his mother, Kayo, who lived in Kagawa, to persuade her son. However, during the two hours before boarding the helicopter, the mother disappeared to get her hair set at a beauty salon. Furthermore, Hanakawa rejected any conversation with his mother when she arrived. The incident ended with him being shot to death, revealing not only his brutal acts inside the bank but also the words he spoke about himself. Kondo, a desk editor at Maiho Shimbun, caught onto those words, believing that while the incident was resolved, nothing was truly clarified. He launched a serial feature in the newspaper and began investigating.
The Showa era's eternal "unsolved incident," the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident. Shino Sakuragi's soul-stirring novel "Ijo ni arazu," which closes in on the "truth" slumbering within those facts, has finally reached its release day today! We hope you enjoy it.
Also, many events such as book signings are scheduled to be held. You can receive a beautiful and wonderful signed book. Please come and join us!
■ Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store Book Signing
To commemorate the publication of "Ijo ni arazu" (Shinchosha), we will hold a book signing by Shino Sakuragi!
Date and Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 14:00
Location: Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store, special venue next to counter No. 2
How to participate: Numbered tickets will be distributed at counter No. 2 to the first 100 people who reserve/purchase "Ijo ni arazu" (Shinchosha) at the Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store.
Inquiries: Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store 06-6372-5821 (10:00-21:00)
*Reservations for numbered tickets can be made in-store or by phone.
*Distribution of numbered tickets is limited to one per person.
*If you have made a reservation or placed the item on hold by phone, please purchase the product and exchange it for a numbered ticket at counter No. 2 before coming to the venue.
*The signing session is scheduled to start at 14:00, but assembly times will be finely divided between 13:45 and 15:15. You will be informed of your time slot at the reception, but you cannot choose your participation time.
Click here for details!
■ Ebetsu Tsutaya Books Talk Event & Book Signing
To commemorate the publication of the latest book "Ijo ni arazu" by Ebetsu resident author Shino Sakuragi, a book signing will be held.
Date and Time: Sunday, May 10, 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Location: Kurashi no Mune Community Park
How to participate in the signing session: Held after the talk live. Open to those who purchased "Ijo ni arazu" at Ebetsu Tsutaya Books.
Participation fee: Free
Reservation: Not required
*A purchase receipt is required.
Click here for details!
Also, this year marks the "20th Anniversary" year of Shino Sakuragi's publishing career, and in her hometown of Kushiro City, Hokkaido, the "Shino Sakuragi New Book Publication & 20th Anniversary Exhibition" is currently being held at the Kushiro City Central Library Exhibition Room (from April 11 to April 23).
In addition, a "Shino Sakuragi Talk Event" to commemorate the publication of "Ijo ni arazu" will also be held at the same library from 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 16! It looks like Kushiro will be lively as if it were Shino Sakuragi's "Spring Festival."
Click here for details!
■ Author's Comment
As I approached the end, I hit upon the fact that any wise man or criminal is equally born from a woman. From there, I feel it became a time for me to look back on my own life path once again as a single human being and as a mother.
■ Book Content
The most evil bank hostage-taker. Was it his mother, women, society, or himself that drove him to it? The author, who has continued to portray parents, children, and people in works like "Hotel Royal" and "Kazoku Jimai," takes on this ultimate challenge and closes in on the truth in this full-length novel.
■ Author Profile: Shino Sakuragi
© Shinchosha
Born in Hokkaido in 1965. Won the All Yomimono New Writer's Prize for "Yukimushi" in 2002, the Shimase Award for Romance Literature for "Loveless" in 2013, the Naoki Prize for "Hotel Royal" in the same year, and the Chuo Koron Literary Prize for "Kazoku Jimai" in 2020. She has authored many other books including "Hyōheigen," "Sajō," "Futarigurashi," "Hi no Kawa," "Kochō no Shiro," "Heroine," "Tani kara Kita Onna," and "Jinsei Gekijō."
■ Book Data
[Title] Ijo ni arazu
[Author Name] Shino Sakuragi
[Release Date] Wednesday, April 22
[Binding] 46 size hardcover
[Price] 2,750 yen (tax included)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-327727-9
[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/327727/
The Showa era's eternal "unsolved incident," the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident. Shino Sakuragi's soul-stirring novel "Ijo ni arazu," which closes in on the "truth" slumbering within those facts, has finally reached its release day today! We hope you enjoy it.
Also, many events such as book signings are scheduled to be held. You can receive a beautiful and wonderful signed book. Please come and join us!
■ Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store Book Signing
To commemorate the publication of "Ijo ni arazu" (Shinchosha), we will hold a book signing by Shino Sakuragi!
Date and Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 14:00
Location: Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store, special venue next to counter No. 2
How to participate: Numbered tickets will be distributed at counter No. 2 to the first 100 people who reserve/purchase "Ijo ni arazu" (Shinchosha) at the Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store.
Inquiries: Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store 06-6372-5821 (10:00-21:00)
*Reservations for numbered tickets can be made in-store or by phone.
*Distribution of numbered tickets is limited to one per person.
*If you have made a reservation or placed the item on hold by phone, please purchase the product and exchange it for a numbered ticket at counter No. 2 before coming to the venue.
*The signing session is scheduled to start at 14:00, but assembly times will be finely divided between 13:45 and 15:15. You will be informed of your time slot at the reception, but you cannot choose your participation time.
Click here for details!
■ Ebetsu Tsutaya Books Talk Event & Book Signing
To commemorate the publication of the latest book "Ijo ni arazu" by Ebetsu resident author Shino Sakuragi, a book signing will be held.
Date and Time: Sunday, May 10, 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Location: Kurashi no Mune Community Park
How to participate in the signing session: Held after the talk live. Open to those who purchased "Ijo ni arazu" at Ebetsu Tsutaya Books.
Participation fee: Free
Reservation: Not required
*A purchase receipt is required.
Click here for details!
Also, this year marks the "20th Anniversary" year of Shino Sakuragi's publishing career, and in her hometown of Kushiro City, Hokkaido, the "Shino Sakuragi New Book Publication & 20th Anniversary Exhibition" is currently being held at the Kushiro City Central Library Exhibition Room (from April 11 to April 23).
In addition, a "Shino Sakuragi Talk Event" to commemorate the publication of "Ijo ni arazu" will also be held at the same library from 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 16! It looks like Kushiro will be lively as if it were Shino Sakuragi's "Spring Festival."
Click here for details!
■ Author's Comment
As I approached the end, I hit upon the fact that any wise man or criminal is equally born from a woman. From there, I feel it became a time for me to look back on my own life path once again as a single human being and as a mother.
■ Book Content
The most evil bank hostage-taker. Was it his mother, women, society, or himself that drove him to it? The author, who has continued to portray parents, children, and people in works like "Hotel Royal" and "Kazoku Jimai," takes on this ultimate challenge and closes in on the truth in this full-length novel.
■ Author Profile: Shino Sakuragi
© Shinchosha
Born in Hokkaido in 1965. Won the All Yomimono New Writer's Prize for "Yukimushi" in 2002, the Shimase Award for Romance Literature for "Loveless" in 2013, the Naoki Prize for "Hotel Royal" in the same year, and the Chuo Koron Literary Prize for "Kazoku Jimai" in 2020. She has authored many other books including "Hyōheigen," "Sajō," "Futarigurashi," "Hi no Kawa," "Kochō no Shiro," "Heroine," "Tani kara Kita Onna," and "Jinsei Gekijō."
■ Book Data
[Title] Ijo ni arazu
[Author Name] Shino Sakuragi
[Release Date] Wednesday, April 22
[Binding] 46 size hardcover
[Price] 2,750 yen (tax included)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-327727-9
[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/327727/