Haruki Murakami Receives Honorary Degree at Waseda

Haruki Murakami, the renowned Japanese author, made a rare public appearance at Waseda University to accept an honorary degree, humorously reflecting on his past as a 'terrible student' who often skipped classes. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged the award as a generous gesture and praised the university for its support despite his lack of academic diligence. Waseda University highlighted Murakami's unique literary style, which blends the real and surreal, and celebrates the 'cosmopolitan atmosphere' of his works, which have been translated into approximately 50 languages. Murakami's latest novel, 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls', marked his return to fiction after six years, with its English translation released recently. Despite receiving multiple honorary degrees, Murakami quipped that they brought him 'absolutely nothing' and humorously remarked that they do not guarantee book sales. Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude to Waseda, crediting his enrollment for his literary pursuits.