Asako Yuzuki: A Japanese Author's Journey from Local Criticism to International Acclaim
In a video call from her Tokyo home, Asako Yuzuki, the acclaimed Japanese novelist, reveals an unexpected ambition: to bake traditional Nagasaki muffins for Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off. Dressed in pyjamas after her evening bath, Yuzuki, 44, explains via translator Bethan Jones that these marubouro muffins, reminiscent of Kazuo Ishiguro's hometown, pair perfectly with tea. This culinary passion is no surprise to readers of her global bestseller, Butter, which intertwines food with feminist themes.
The Rise of a Feminist Thriller
Butter, published in Japan in 2017 and later translated into English, is based on the real-life Konkatsu Killer case, where Kanae Kijima was convicted of poisoning three men. The novel follows journalist Rika Machida's interviews with gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii in Tokyo Detention Centre, blending social satire with thrilling narratives. Yuzuki immersed herself in research, even attending the high-class cookery school Kijima frequented. The book sold over 300,000 copies in the UK alone and was named Waterstones Book of the Year in 2024, capitalising on a growing appetite for translated fiction by female Japanese authors like Sayaka Murata and Mieko Kawakami.
Backlash in Japan and a Shift to Vitamin Novels
Despite international success, Yuzuki's novels faced criticism in Japan for being overtly feminist. Butter and her earlier work Hooked (published in Japan in 2015 as Nairu pāchi no joshikai) were seen as reinforcing negative stereotypes about women. Hooked, translated by Polly Barton and set for release in English in 2026, explores female power dynamics and urban loneliness through the story of Eriko, a lonely office worker obsessed with a popular blogger.
Yuzuki describes Japan as a misogynist society where writing about female enmity often leads to backlash. In response, she shifted to writing vitamin novels—sugary stories with kind characters that are more palatable to Japanese readers. I don't think I could write a book like Butter or Hooked now, even if I wanted to, she admits, reflecting on how societal pressures have worsened over the past decade.
Inspiration from Social Media and Female Friendship
The idea for Hooked emerged from Yuzuki's guilt over stalking a neighbour on Instagram, evolving into a tale of obsession and the illusions of female friendship. The novel critiques the Joshikai trend, where young women in Tokyo flaunt their friendships on social media as a lifestyle essential. Yuzuki challenges the idealisation of these relationships, writing, How much was required from women as a default!—listing attributes like attractiveness, youth, and popularity.
Alongside works like Han Kang's The Vegetarian, Yuzuki's novels portray women as commodities in patriarchal societies, using food as a means of control or rebellion. In Butter, the obsession with food subverts societal slimness ideals, while in Hooked, Eriko's binge-eating unravels her perfect appearance. Yuzuki notes that Tokyo's weight-loss advertisements and 24-hour convenience stores create a constant tension for women.
Personal Background and Literary Influences
Growing up in Tokyo, Yuzuki was an only child raised in a traditional Japanese household. A bout of mycoplasma pneumonia in junior high left her in a coma for a month, after which she craved Banana Yoshimoto's Kitchen for its descriptions of katsudon. She later studied French literature at university, but becoming a writer seemed impossible in Japan, where few authors can make a living from books. She worked various jobs, including at a confectionery manufacturer, before finding success.
Yuzuki feels solidarity with fellow Japanese authors like Murata and Kawakami, who also grapple with workplace sexism. The international success of Japanese fiction, including Akira Otani's Dagger award win, is slowly changing the domestic publishing scene. However, Yuzuki notes that societal issues like misogyny and discrimination against sexual minorities limit what authors can write.
Looking Ahead: A Return to Darker Stories
Despite her daily responsibilities as a mother and homemaker, Yuzuki writes in coffee shops, producing sporadically. The UK's embrace of Butter has inspired her to reconsider her direction. I want to write about women who make mistakes that can't be repaired, she says, leaning into her screen. I'm going to enjoy writing those kinds of books. So I am very grateful to the UK readers who have given me the courage to do that. With Hooked set to captivate readers in 2026, Yuzuki's journey from local criticism to global influence highlights the power of translated literature to challenge norms and inspire change.
