Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami will make his debut as a radio host on August 5, according to Tokyo FM.
The one-off show, ‘Murakami Radio’, will air on Tokyo FM and its 37 network FM stations and its theme will be ‘Run & Songs’.
Murakami, 69, has written more than 30 pieces of fiction and nonfiction in Japanese and has also translated more than 30 titles from English into Japanese.
His work has been translated into more than 40 languages and he has won numerous literary prizes over the years.
The show is likely to attract a lot of attention as he has never made a radio or TV appearance earlier.
The novelist ran a jazz cafe in his younger days and is also an avid long distance runner who has completed many full marathons.
In the show, he will play some of the music he listens to while running and also explore his collection of CDs and records and discuss the relationship between running, music and literature.
“I will select and play tunes that listeners rarely (or never) encounter in a radio program but will find very relaxing,” Murakami wrote in a message quoted by the broadcaster.
“And I would like to talk a bit between (those songs). Please enjoy,” Murakami added.
“It has been my hobby to collect records and CDs since my childhood, and thanks to that, my house is inundated with such things. However, I have often felt a sense of guilt toward the world while listening to such amazing music and having a good time alone,” Murakami said in the message.
“I thought it may be good to share such good times with other people while chatting over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee,” he said.
A special website for 'Murakami Radio' has also been launched where listeners can ask him online questions about music until June 10 and selected questions will be read and answered by the writer during the show.
“Murakami Radio” will be broadcast on 38 stations belonging to Japan FM Network, including Tokyo FM, from 7 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. Elsewhere, the program will start at 8 p.m. in Hiroshima Prefecture and 9 p.m. in Okinawa Prefecture. The program will also be aired on Radiko, an internet-based radio broadcasting service.