In this July 17, 2019, photo, Natsuko Imamura, right, and Masumi Oshima pose with their books after Imamura and Oshima were awarded the Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes at a Tokyo hotel. Since 1935 the Akutagawa and Naoki have recognized serious and popular fiction, respectively, and provided their winners with a commemorative watch and 1 million yen (a little under $10,000). Even more valuable is the prestige its winners receive from media attention and, increasingly, a clear path to wider audiences through translation. (Kyodo News via AP)
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