Author Ryo Asai Praises Yuka Kamimura's Debut Novel 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo' as Winner of the Ryo Asai Award
Yuka Kamimura's debut work 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo' has won the Ryo Asai Award at the CINRA Inspiring Awards Edition 2026. The book, which tackles the life of a young carer with a unique sense of humor, is receiving massive support from bookstore clerks across Japan.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 11:31
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A new recommendation comment has arrived from author Ryo Asai for Yuka Kamimura's debut work 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo' (published April 2025 by Shinchosha), which won the Ryo Asai Award at the 'CINRA Inspiring Awards Edition 2026.'
### Winning the 'Ryo Asai Award' at CINRA Inspiring Awards Edition 2026
Yuka Kamimura, who debuted after winning the Grand Prize at the 21st 'R-18 Literature Award for Women by Women,' won the 'Ryo Asai Award' selected by author Ryo Asai at the 'CINRA Inspiring Awards Edition 2026,' organized by the web media 'CINRA' to celebrate next-generation expression.
### Commentary by Judge Ryo Asai
'The sharp brushwork of Sukuwaretenjane-yo, the handling of the subject matter in Hoku Hoku Oimo Tou, and the shimmering youthfulness of Boku ni wa Warai ga Wakaranai. I felt threatened by the rare toughness of sending out three works with completely different charms in a debut year.'
Kamimura's debut work 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo' consists of three parts: 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo,' depicting the daily life of high school student Sachi who cares for her chronically ill mother; 'Naitenjane-yo,' showing Sachi still unable to escape caregiving as a university student; and 'Sugattenjane-yo,' where Sachi, now working for a TV production company away from home, reaches a kind of resolution with her parents.
### Comment from Yuka Kamimura on winning the award
'When I was a teenager, I used to say "I want to be reborn as Ryo Asai" and was laughed at. When I heard about the award, I felt surprise and joy, and I remembered that. I sincerely thank Mr. Ryo Asai and everyone involved in the award. I will continue to write.'
### Ryo Asai's comment on 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo'
'The depiction of anger, with its unique sense of ventilation, was extremely vivid.'
### Author Profile: Yuka Kamimura
Born in Saga City in 2000. Completed graduate studies at Kyoto University of the Arts. In 2022, she won the Grand Prize at the 21st R-18 Literature Award for 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo.' In 2025, she debuted with the novel of the same name (Shinchosha). Other books include 'Hoku Hoku Oimo Tou' (Shogakukan) and 'Boku ni wa Warai ga Wakaranai' (KADOKAWA).
'This work deals with caregiving, but when I wrote the title story at age 20, I was only thinking about how to make people laugh. Humor in caregiving? You might wonder, but to peel off the labels of "young carer" or "poverty-stricken family" and meet the raw Sachi again, humor was necessary. It’s not bright. It’s not a comedy. You might need courage. But after reading, I’m sure the color of the world will change.' (Yuka Kamimura)
### Passionate Messages from Bookstore Clerks Across Japan
- Kinokuniya Bookstore Fukuoka Main Store, Atsuko Muneoka: 'Empathy spread for the feeling of wanting to value family while also wanting to live freely.'
- Makuhari Tsutaya Bookstore, Miyuki Goto: 'The power of this work is incredible. It’s painful to read, yet I couldn't stop.'
- Junkudo Bookstore Ashiya Store, Sayori Yamanoi: 'I want to nominate this for the 2026 Bookstore Award!! Sachi's family works well on me, who is fed up with superficial words like bonds and empathy.'
- Miraiya Bookstore Dainichi Store, Hazuki Ishizaka: 'I was shocked! The underlying power of the R-18 Literature Award is something else!'
- Kinokuniya Bookstore Kurume Store, Mayumi Ikejiri: 'I’m happy to have met an author I want to keep following.'
- TSUTAYA WAY Garden Park Wakayama, Keiko Nakae: 'I want this to reach people who are working hard every day or feeling desperate.'
### Cover Illustration by Rising Illustrator Sakino Mizumoto
The cover was illustrated by Sakino Mizumoto, a young hope in the illustration world active in books, CD jackets, and advertising. Kamimura exclaimed 'That’s totally Sachi!' upon seeing the illustration.
### Winning the 'Ryo Asai Award' at CINRA Inspiring Awards Edition 2026
Yuka Kamimura, who debuted after winning the Grand Prize at the 21st 'R-18 Literature Award for Women by Women,' won the 'Ryo Asai Award' selected by author Ryo Asai at the 'CINRA Inspiring Awards Edition 2026,' organized by the web media 'CINRA' to celebrate next-generation expression.
### Commentary by Judge Ryo Asai
'The sharp brushwork of Sukuwaretenjane-yo, the handling of the subject matter in Hoku Hoku Oimo Tou, and the shimmering youthfulness of Boku ni wa Warai ga Wakaranai. I felt threatened by the rare toughness of sending out three works with completely different charms in a debut year.'
Kamimura's debut work 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo' consists of three parts: 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo,' depicting the daily life of high school student Sachi who cares for her chronically ill mother; 'Naitenjane-yo,' showing Sachi still unable to escape caregiving as a university student; and 'Sugattenjane-yo,' where Sachi, now working for a TV production company away from home, reaches a kind of resolution with her parents.
### Comment from Yuka Kamimura on winning the award
'When I was a teenager, I used to say "I want to be reborn as Ryo Asai" and was laughed at. When I heard about the award, I felt surprise and joy, and I remembered that. I sincerely thank Mr. Ryo Asai and everyone involved in the award. I will continue to write.'
### Ryo Asai's comment on 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo'
'The depiction of anger, with its unique sense of ventilation, was extremely vivid.'
### Author Profile: Yuka Kamimura
Born in Saga City in 2000. Completed graduate studies at Kyoto University of the Arts. In 2022, she won the Grand Prize at the 21st R-18 Literature Award for 'Sukuwaretenjane-yo.' In 2025, she debuted with the novel of the same name (Shinchosha). Other books include 'Hoku Hoku Oimo Tou' (Shogakukan) and 'Boku ni wa Warai ga Wakaranai' (KADOKAWA).
'This work deals with caregiving, but when I wrote the title story at age 20, I was only thinking about how to make people laugh. Humor in caregiving? You might wonder, but to peel off the labels of "young carer" or "poverty-stricken family" and meet the raw Sachi again, humor was necessary. It’s not bright. It’s not a comedy. You might need courage. But after reading, I’m sure the color of the world will change.' (Yuka Kamimura)
### Passionate Messages from Bookstore Clerks Across Japan
- Kinokuniya Bookstore Fukuoka Main Store, Atsuko Muneoka: 'Empathy spread for the feeling of wanting to value family while also wanting to live freely.'
- Makuhari Tsutaya Bookstore, Miyuki Goto: 'The power of this work is incredible. It’s painful to read, yet I couldn't stop.'
- Junkudo Bookstore Ashiya Store, Sayori Yamanoi: 'I want to nominate this for the 2026 Bookstore Award!! Sachi's family works well on me, who is fed up with superficial words like bonds and empathy.'
- Miraiya Bookstore Dainichi Store, Hazuki Ishizaka: 'I was shocked! The underlying power of the R-18 Literature Award is something else!'
- Kinokuniya Bookstore Kurume Store, Mayumi Ikejiri: 'I’m happy to have met an author I want to keep following.'
- TSUTAYA WAY Garden Park Wakayama, Keiko Nakae: 'I want this to reach people who are working hard every day or feeling desperate.'
### Cover Illustration by Rising Illustrator Sakino Mizumoto
The cover was illustrated by Sakino Mizumoto, a young hope in the illustration world active in books, CD jackets, and advertising. Kamimura exclaimed 'That’s totally Sachi!' upon seeing the illustration.