The new work by Jun Uchiyama, the much-talked-about author of 'Witches' Afternoon Tea' and 'Retro Cafe Odokei', is a story of women in their 40s and 60s renovating an old detached house. 'Jinsei no Reform-doki' released by Tokuma Shoten!
Tokuma Shoten will release Jun Uchiyama's new sisterhood novel 'Jinsei no Reform-doki' on April 15. It tells the story of women in their 40s and 60s renovating a 40-year-old detached house.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 19:00
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Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hideyuki Komiya) will release the newly written full-length novel 'Jinsei no Reform-doki' (Time to Renovate Your Life) by Jun Uchiyama (https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b675754.html) on Wednesday, April 15.
Houses, rooms, and lives: now is the time for change.
Quick-to-decide Ranko (40s) and indecisive Sumire (60s).
Two strangers team up to take on the renovation of a 40-year-old detached house―
A sisterhood novel.
■ Introduction
■ Author's Comment
'I want to change my way of living a little.' 'I want to throw away things that are in the way.' 'I want to move forward, even just a little.'
You have the desire, but it's hard to do. At times like that, don't worry alone; just borrow someone else's strength.
Surely, there is someone around you who will give you a push...
Please enjoy this heartwarming story where women who have lived different lives in their 40s and 60s meet through the renovation of their home, help each other, and rebuild their lives.
■ Editor in Charge's Comment
After years of agonizing over whether to rent or buy, I realized prices have soared! A newly built house is impossible! Should I just rent in my old age!? Or should I renovate my parents' house in the countryside? Can I organize the sheer amount of stuff in my parents' house? Renovation starts with decluttering first!? Reading this work finally made me ready to face reality. There are concrete discussions about not only decluttering but also what kind of floor plan they want, but ultimately, it's people who provide emotional support. It is a work that makes you truly want to become a person who can properly speak up when you 'need help'.
■ Author Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1963. Graduated from Rikkyo University. Debuted in 2014 by winning the 24th Ayukawa Tetsuya Award with 'Welcome to B Hanabusa'. Other works include 'Retro Cafe Odokei', 'Witches' Afternoon Tea', and 'Sakanobori Cafe Odokei'.
Houses, rooms, and lives: now is the time for change.
Quick-to-decide Ranko (40s) and indecisive Sumire (60s).
Two strangers team up to take on the renovation of a 40-year-old detached house―
A sisterhood novel.
■ Introduction
■ Author's Comment
'I want to change my way of living a little.' 'I want to throw away things that are in the way.' 'I want to move forward, even just a little.'
You have the desire, but it's hard to do. At times like that, don't worry alone; just borrow someone else's strength.
Surely, there is someone around you who will give you a push...
Please enjoy this heartwarming story where women who have lived different lives in their 40s and 60s meet through the renovation of their home, help each other, and rebuild their lives.
■ Editor in Charge's Comment
After years of agonizing over whether to rent or buy, I realized prices have soared! A newly built house is impossible! Should I just rent in my old age!? Or should I renovate my parents' house in the countryside? Can I organize the sheer amount of stuff in my parents' house? Renovation starts with decluttering first!? Reading this work finally made me ready to face reality. There are concrete discussions about not only decluttering but also what kind of floor plan they want, but ultimately, it's people who provide emotional support. It is a work that makes you truly want to become a person who can properly speak up when you 'need help'.
■ Author Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1963. Graduated from Rikkyo University. Debuted in 2014 by winning the 24th Ayukawa Tetsuya Award with 'Welcome to B Hanabusa'. Other works include 'Retro Cafe Odokei', 'Witches' Afternoon Tea', and 'Sakanobori Cafe Odokei'.