Shino Sakuragi's Latest Novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' Delving into the Truth of 'Parent and Child' and Human Drama Behind the Mitsubishi Bank Hostage Incident, Immediately Goes into Reprint!

Key facts

  • Shino Sakuragi's Latest Novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' Delving into the Truth of 'Parent and Child' and Human Drama Behind the Mitsubishi Bank Hostage Incident, Immediately Goes into Reprint!
  • Shino Sakuragi's latest full-length novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' which explores the truth of human relationships and the 'parent and child' dynamic hidden within the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident, has been immediately reprinted after its release. This work promises a compelling read.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: May 12, 2026

Direct answer

Shino Sakuragi's latest full-length novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' which explores the truth of human relationships and the 'parent and child' dynamic hidden within the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident, has been immediately reprinted after its release. This work promises a compelling read.

Citation
Shino Sakuragi's Latest Novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' Delving into the Truth of 'Parent and Child' and Human Drama Behind the Mitsubishi Bank Hostage Incident, Immediately Goes into Reprint! (May 12, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
May 12, 2026
Shino Sakuragi's latest full-length novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' which explores the truth of human relationships and the 'parent and child' dynamic hidden within the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident, has been immediately reprinted after its release. This work promises a compelling read.
新製品NQ 40/100出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 22:22
  • 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 13:31
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 05:17 (15h 45m after Collected)
In January 1979, Kiyoshi Hanakawa (30) took about 30 bank employees and customers hostage at the Hankyu Bank Kitabatake branch in Osaka City. The next day, the Osaka Prefectural Police flew a helicopter to try and persuade him through his mother, Kayo, who lived in Kagawa. However, for two hours before boarding the helicopter, his mother disappeared and was getting her hair done at a beauty salon. Hanakawa also refused to speak with his mother when she arrived. The incident ended with his shooting death, revealing not only Hanakawa's cruel actions inside the bank but also words he spoke about himself. Kondo, a desk editor at Mainichi Shimbun, was intrigued by these words. Although the incident was resolved, he felt nothing had been truly clarified, so he launched a serialized project in the newspaper and began his investigation.

The Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident, a 'cold case' of the Showa era and forever, is now explored in Shino Sakuragi's heartfelt full-length novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' which delves into the 'truth' hidden within the facts. It immediately went into reprint after its release! We hope you enjoy it.

■ Author's Comment

As I approached the end, I was struck by the fact that all wise men and criminals alike are born from women. From there, I felt it became a time for me, as a human being and a mother, to reflect anew on my own past.

◼️ Book Content

The most heinous bank hostage-taker—was he driven by his mother, a woman, society, or himself? The author, who has continued to depict parents and children and people in works like 'Hotel Royal' and 'Kazoku Jimai,' challenges this ultimate question in a full-length novel that approaches the truth.

◼️ Author Profile: Shino Sakuragi

© Shinchosha

Born in Hokkaido in 1965. In 2002, she won the All Yomimono New Writers' Award for 'Yukimushi,' the Shimase Love Story Literary Award 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. Her other works include 'Hyoheigen,' 'Sajo,' 'Futarigurashi,' 'Hi no Kawa,' 'Kocho no Shiro,' 'Heroine,' 'Tani kara Kita Onna,' 'Jinsei Gekijo,' and many others.

◼️ Book Data

[Title] Ijou ni Hizu

[Author] Shino Sakuragi

[Release Date] April 22 (Wednesday)

[Binding] 46-size hardcover

[Price] 2,750 yen (tax included)

[ISBN] 978-4-10-327727-9
[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/327727/
Keywords:

FAQ

When did the Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident that inspired Shino Sakuragi's novel occur?

The incident took place in January 1979 when Kiyoshi Hanakawa held about 30 bank employees and customers hostage at the Hankyu Bank Kitabatake branch in Osaka City.

What role did Kiyoshi Hanakawa's mother play during the police helicopter negotiation in the Osaka hostage crisis?

Kiyoshi Hanakawa's mother, Kayo, attempted to persuade him by boarding a police helicopter after traveling from Kagawa, but she vanished for two hours to get her hair done at a beauty salon and when she finally arrived she was refused a conversation by her son.

Which newspaper editor initiated a serialized investigation into the Mitsubishi Bank hostage case after it remained unresolved, and what was his position?

The investigation was launched by Kondo, who served as a desk editor at the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, after he found the spoken words of Kiyoshi Hanakawa insufficiently clarified.

What is the title of Shino Sakuragi's full-length novel that explores the truth behind the Showa-era Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident, and which publisher released it?

The novel is titled "Ijou ni Hizu" and it was published by Shinchosha, immediately going into reprint after its release.

Which previous works by Shino Sakuragi focus on parent‑child relationships, and in what year did she receive the All Yomimono New Writer award?

Shino Sakuragi previously explored parent‑child dynamics in novels such as "Hotel Royal" and "Kazoku Jimai," and she won the All Yomimono New Writer prize in 2002.

Back to Newsroom (1208)