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[ NIHON BUNKA KENKYUU ] BUNKEN 101: Reviews, comments, and insights on Japanese pop culture.

The Japan Foundation, Manila is pleased to announce the Haruki Murakami Essay Writing Contest.

The essay on Murakami’s novel/s must be an original and unpublished work; it has to be within 1,000 words in English typewritten on A4 size paper (12 Arial, double space).

Entries may be sent to: or via fax # (02) 811-6153 together with the writer’s Name and Contact Details on or before Friday - August 31, 2007. Winner/s of the contest will receive a Haruki Murakami book and Gift Certificate. All participants/writers will be entitled to Free Membership in the JFM Library wherein a Haruki Murakami collection is available. Further announcement/details to follow.

For details/clarifications, please contact the Japan Foundation, Manila 12/F, Pacific Star Bldg., Makati Ave., Makati City tel. # 811-61-55 to 58 / fax # 811-61-53 or e-mail :

About Haruki Murakami
Murakami is a Japanese novelist and translator born in Kyoto, but grew up in Kobe. He is often distinguished from other Japanese writers with the Western influences heavily present in his writings. His first novel, “Hear the Wind Sing” (1979), inspired by a baseball game he watched, won first prize in the Gunzou literature contest. His works have received citations and prizes locally and internationally. Some of his writings include Norwegian Wood (1987), The Wind-up Bird Chronicle (1995), and Kafka on the Shore (2002) – which received the Franz Kafka Prize.

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