Rio Shimamoto

Rio Shimamoto is a Japanese writer best known for her psychological dramas and legal thrillers. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the prestigious Naoki Prize 2018 for her novel First Love. Shimamoto's literary journey began in her teens, and her early works quickly attracted attention. Her books are widely read in Japan, and some have been made into films.

Rio Shimamoto was born in Tokyo in 1983. While still a Tokyo Metropolitan Shinjuku Yamabuki Senior High School student, she won the 44th Gunzo Prize for New Writers in 2001 with her debut novel, Shiruetto (Silhouette).

Two years later, her novella Little by Little won the 25th Noma Literary New Face Prize, making her the youngest winner in the prize's history. Although Little by Little was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize, it did not win. Nevertheless, this recognition set the stage for a promising literary career.

In 2005, Shimamoto's novel Narratage became a bestseller, establishing her as a major figure in contemporary Japanese literature. This success prompted her to leave Rikkyo University and concentrate on writing full-time.

Shimamoto was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize four times throughout her career, but she won the prestigious Naoki Prize for First Love only in 2018. A mix of psychological drama and legal thriller, the novel captivated readers with its exploration of complex relationships and dark secrets.

First Love (2018) centres on Kanna Hijiriyama, a college student arrested for the murder of her father. As she faces trial, clinical psychologist Yuki Makabe is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the crime. Through a series of sessions with Kanna, Yuki discovers hidden layers of trauma and a web of disturbing relationships involving Kanna's father, mother and her first love.

The novel's gripping narrative, which combines legal suspense with emotional depth, resonated with readers and earned it the Naoki Prize.

Shimamoto's work often explores psychological complexity and the intricacies of human relationships, and her influence on Japanese literature continues to grow. Her novel Yodaka no Kataomoi (2013), a poignant exploration of prejudice and love, will also be adapted into a film in 2022.