The event is organised by the Goethe-Institut & Merck KGaA and is supported by the Business Circle of the Goethe-Institut Tokyo

The Kakehashi Literature Award, established in 2013 by the Goethe-Institut Tokyo and Merck KGaA, is presented biennially to promote contemporary German-language literature and its translations in Japan. In 2024, the award will go to Robert Menasse and Japanese translator Dr Tomoko Fukuma for the novel Die Hauptstadt. This winning work, which offers a critical and provocative examination of Europe's current state, particularly the concept of the nation state, was published seven years ago but remains as relevant as ever. The award ceremony will be followed by a reading from Die Hauptstadt by the author.

To further highlight the significance of the Kakehashi Literary Prize, especially for young translators, the jury will also present a newly established encouragement award for emerging translators. This inaugural award will be given to Shuntaro Nakamura for his translation of Esther Kinsky's novel Rombo.

For more information about each event, please get in touch with the Embassy and/or Cultural Institute organising the event.