Famous Japanese writer Ryu Murakami dies at 74

Famous Japanese writer Ryu Murakami has died at the age of 74.

Today, his death was announced by the publisher Gentosha, which has been publishing the author's books since the 1990s. Over his career, Murakami wrote more than 40 novels.

His debut novel, "All Shades of Blue," published in 1976, immediately earned the writer the Akutagawa Prize, Japan's highest literary award. Among the author's other notable works are "Children from the Lockers" and "Miso Soup."