The Crime Writers' Association has shortlisted five works for the International Dagger award for translated crime novels, including the popular Japanese title "Six Four" by Hideo Yokoyama.
It is the first time a Japanese writer's novel has been shortlisted for the award, which recognizes the best crime novel of the year that has been translated into English for publication in Britain. This year's winner will be announced on Oct. 11.
Yokoyama, born in Tokyo in 1957, has been a mystery writer in Japan since 1991 after working as a journalist for the Jomo Shimbun in Gunma Prefecture. He is the recipient of numerous awards in Japan.
"Six Four" was published in Japan in 2012. It was translated into English by Jonathan Lloyd-Davis and hit bookstores in Britain last March.
"I feel honored, but I was more surprised than I was delighted. I want to wait for the announcement day as if I were waiting for my debut," Yokoyama said in a statement released Thursday by his publishing company.
The shortlist also includes four other novelists' works, including "The Great Swindle" by Pierre Lemaitre of France and "The Truth and Other Lies" by Sascha Arango of Germany.