Murakami's first novel in three years hits shelves, author contrasts writing with AI

Haruki Murakami's latest novel, "The Tale of KAHO," has arrived in Japanese bookstores, marking his first new work in three years. The release was met with enthusiasm, as dozens of fans queued at midnight to purchase the book. Notably, this novel features a female protagonist, a first for the acclaimed author's full-length works.

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AI takes into account everything that has happened so far and draws analogies. But the process of how I write novels is something completely different.

Murakami shared his thoughts on the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence in writing, asserting that his creative process remains distinct from what AI can produce. "AI takes into account everything that has happened so far and draws analogies," he told Kyodo News. "But the process of how I write novels is something completely different." He elaborated that a novelist's true role involves "drag[ging] in something new that suddenly flashes into your mind," a feat he believes AI cannot replicate.

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The role of a novelist is to drag in something new that suddenly flashes into your mind.

In a separate interview with the Asahi Shimbun, Murakami discussed his experience writing from a female perspective. "I had the feeling that I was seeing the world through eyes that were different from my usual ones," he said. He acknowledged that he can only imagine women's experiences but drew parallels to writing "Kafka on the Shore" through the eyes of a teenage boy, highlighting a novelist's ability to embody different viewpoints. His time at Wellesley College, a women's college in the United States, and the increasing value placed on women's perspectives influenced "Kaho."

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I had the feeling that I was seeing the world through eyes that were different from my usual ones.

Murakami also touched upon his exploration of the parent-child relationship in this novel, a theme he usually avoids. He noted that each novel presents an urge to try something new, and this time, that urge manifested as a focus on familial bonds.

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Right now, women's perspectives are being valued very highly, and I think breathing in that kind of atmosphere also had an influence on 'Kaho' this time around.