Haruki Murakami Shuns Alternative Nobel Award in Literature

September 17, 2018

London- Japanese author Haruki Murakami has requested the withdrawal of his nomination for an alternative to the Nobel Prize in Literature, a Swedish group that set up the prize said Saturday.

According to the award selection group, called the New Academy, Murakami said in an email that he is very honored to be one of the four final nominees. But he also noted that he wants to be away from media attention to concentrate on writing.

The New Academy said that it was disappointed at Murakami's withdrawal request but will respect his decision, adding that the other three authors have accepted their nominations for the award, designed only for this year.

The scandal-tainted Swedish Academy has announced it will refrain from announcing the 2018 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Jiji Press