Author Murakami turns back on literary prize

Japanese author Haruki Murakami has asked for the withdrawal of his nomination for an alternative to the Nobel Prize in literature saying he wants to concentrate on his writing.

One of Japan’s most successful literary exports, Murakami’s Nobel prospects are the subject of intense annual scrutiny in his home country.

Murakami expressed gratitude at the nomination, but said he wanted to “concentrate on writing, away from media attention”, said the organisers of the New Academy Prize in Literature.