The presentation ceremony of the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize was held in Tokyo on the 18th, and Rin Usami, who won the Akutagawa Prize, and Naka Saijo, who won the Naoki Prize, expressed their thoughts on receiving the prize.
At the 164th Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize, at the selection meeting last month, Rin Usami's "Push, Burning Yu" was selected for the Akutagawa Prize, and Naka Saijo's "Kokoro Shikawa" was selected for the Naoki Prize.
Both were the first candidates to receive the award, and Mr. Usami, a 21-year-old second-year university student, received the Akutagawa Prize at the third youngest age in the past.
The award presentation ceremony was held in Tokyo on the 18th, and a speech was given after the two winners were handed a commemorative pocket watch and a list of prize money.
Mr. Usami of the Akutagawa Prize said, "I was wondering if it was really good when the award was decided. I am aware that this work is still in my mind, and I am very disappointed. I am more satisfied. I think I could have greeted with a more radiant feeling, but I think that is also the fun of writing. I think that the next work I will write will be important for my life, so to everyone I want to deliver it as soon as possible, "he said, occasionally choking his words.
Mr. Saijo of the Naoki Prize said, "I'm not very good at talking about myself, and when I write, I realize that I can express what I want to say in the closest way. It's been a tough job to be a writer, but it's been 16 years since I made my debut until I realized the joy and fun of writing and finally came to terms with it. The editor in charge was the one who accompanied me so as not to let people do it, and I was able to invite them to this venue today, and it seems that my life as a writer is full, and I am impressed. " I did.