"I don’t want to be labeled as a ‘Japanese writer.’ I’m just a writer who happens to be Japanese."

"Writing novels is a lot like running a marathon. You have to be patient, disciplined, and persistent."

"I like normal things. I like ordinary life."

"I'm not a fan of reality. I prefer dreams."

"The world is full of strange and wonderful things, and it's the writer's job to find them."