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[2026] Keigo Higashino passes away | What was the cause of death? Summary of his representative works and film appearances
On July 23, 2026, author Keigo Higashino passed away from colon cancer at the age of 68. This article summarizes the life and work of Keigo Higashino, including the cause of death, the circumstances surrounding his passing, his representative works such as "Byakuyako" and "The Devotion of Suspect X," his works adapted into films and dramas, and his latest and final work, "Eternal Memory."
[2026] Keigo Higashino passes away | What was the cause of death? Summary of his representative works and film appearances
table of contents
- The death of Keigo Higashino and the cause of death
- Keigo Higashino's Profile
- List of representative works and popular series
- Film and TV series adaptations and upcoming release dates
- His latest work, "Eternal Memory," became his final film.
- Major awards
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When and for what reason did Keigo Higashino pass away?
A. He passed away in the early hours of July 23, 2026, due to colon cancer. He was 68 years old, and Kodansha announced his death on July 27.
Q. What was your last work?
A. This is the latest full-length novel in the Galileo series, "Eternal Memory." It is scheduled to be published by Bungei Shunju on August 5, 2026, and will effectively be his last work.
1. The death of Keigo Higashino and the cause of death
Author Keigo Higashino passed away in the early hours of July 23, 2026, due to colon cancer. He was 68 years old. His publisher, Kodansha, announced the news on July 27.
The funeral will be a private family service attended only by immediate family members, and condolences, floral tributes, and telegrams will not be accepted. Further details, such as whether a memorial service will be held, will be announced once a decision has been made. Kodansha has requested that people refrain from contacting the family for interviews.
| item | Content |
| date of death | Early morning of July 23, 2026 |
| cause of death | Colon cancer |
| old age | 68 years old |
| announcement | July 27, 2026 (Kodansha) |
| funeral | Family funeral (We respectfully decline monetary gifts, floral tributes, and telegrams of condolence.) |
His illness was not publicly disclosed during his lifetime. He continued writing until shortly before his death, and the news of his passing came just as the publication of the latest full-length novel in the Galileo series was scheduled for August 5th.
2. Keigo Higashino's Profile
Keigo Higashino was born on February 4, 1958, in Osaka Prefecture. After graduating from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Osaka Prefecture University's Faculty of Engineering, he continued writing while working as an engineer for a company. In 1985, he won the 31st Edogawa Rampo Prize for his novel "After School," marking his debut as a writer.
Since then, he has published a wide range of works, from intricate mysteries to heartwarming human dramas, becoming one of Japan's leading bestselling authors. In 2023, his published works reached 100 books, and his cumulative domestic sales surpassed 100 million copies. His works have been translated and published in 41 countries and regions. From 2009 to 2013, he also served as the chairman of the Mystery Writers of Japan.
| item | Content |
| date of birth | February 4, 1958 |
| Birthplace | Osaka Prefecture |
| Educational background | Graduated from Osaka Prefecture University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering. |
| debut | 1985: "After School" (31st Edogawa Rampo Prize) |
| Number of books | 106 books (excluding co-authored works / including the most recent publication) |
3. List of representative works and popular series
Keigo Higashino's works have been highly acclaimed for both his series featuring a famous detective and his substantial, self-contained mysteries. His representative series and works are as follows:
| Series/Category | Main works |
| Galileo (Manabu Yukawa) series |
"The Devotion of Suspect X", "The Midsummer Equation", "The Silent Parade", "Transparent Spiral", "Eternal Memory" |
| Kyoichiro Kaga Series | "The Newcomer" "When the Prayer Curtain Falls" |
| Masquerade Series | Masquerade Hotel, Masquerade Night |
| Solo work | "Byakuyako" (Journey Under a Midnight Sun), "Himitsu" (Secret), "The Miracles of the Namiya General Store", "The Guardian of the Camphor Tree", "The Swan and the Bat", and others. |
Among them, "The Devotion of Suspect X" is a representative work that won the 134th Naoki Prize in 2006. The Galileo series, featuring the genius physicist Manabu Yukawa, has sold over 16 million copies in total.
4. Film and TV series adaptations and upcoming release dates
Many of Keigo Higashino's works have been adapted into films, dramas, and stage plays. The Fuji TV drama "Galileo," starring Masaharu Fukuyama, achieved a peak viewership rating of 24.7%, and the Kyoichiro Kaga series, including "Shinzanmono" starring Hiroshi Abe, also gained popularity. In the film "Masquerade Hotel," Takuya Kimura and Masami Nagasawa played the lead roles.
The three Galileo films, "The Devotion of Suspect X" (2008), "The Midsummer Equation" (2013), and "The Silent Parade" (2022), have combined box office revenues exceeding 11.2 billion yen.
Even after his death, film and television adaptations of his works continue to be released.
| the work | form | Leading role/appearance | Release and distribution |
| "Swans and Bats" | movie | Hokuto Matsumura x Mio Imada | Released on September 4, 2026 |
| "The Hollow Cross" | TV series (WOWOW) | Shingo Katori | Released on September 6, 2026 |
| "The Gate of Murder" | movie | Kento Yamazaki x Kohei Matsushita | Released on February 19, 2027 |
The film "Swan and Bat" tells the story of a kind lawyer who is stabbed to death, and how the son of the suspect, Kazuma Kuraki (Hokuto Matsumura), and the daughter of the victim, Mirei Shiraishi (Mio Imada), begin to feel uneasy about their respective fathers' words and actions.
5. His latest work, "Eternal Memory," which became his final work.
His latest novel in the Galileo series, "Eternal Memory," will effectively be his last work. It is scheduled to be published by Bungei Shunju on August 5, 2026, and will be Keigo Higashino's 106th book.
This work is the 11th in the series, released to mark the 30th anniversary of the appearance of the famous detective Manabu Yukawa. The story begins with the stabbing of Detective Kaoru Utsumi by an elderly man in his 70s, and follows Yukawa and Shunpei Kusanagi as they tackle a "mystery that must not be forgotten." It is titled "Galileo's Final Mystery." This is the first full-length novel in the Galileo series in about five years.
| item | Content |
| title | Eternal memories |
| series | Galileo (Manabu Yukawa) series, 11th installment |
| Publisher | Bungeishunju |
| Publication date | August 5, 2026 |
6. Major Awards and Recognition
| year | Works/Achievements | Award |
| 1985 | "after school" | 31st Edogawa Ranpo Prize (Debut) |
| 1999 | "secret" | The 52nd Japan Mystery Writers Association Award (Novel Category) |
| 2006 | The Devotion of Suspect X | 134th Naoki Prize / 6th Honkaku Mystery Award |
| 2012 | The Miracles of the Namiya General Store | The 7th Chuo Koron Literary Prize |
| 2013 | "Dream Flower" | The 26th Shibata Renzaburo Prize |
| 2014 | "When the Curtain of Prayer Falls" | The 48th Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize |
| 2019 | — | The 1st Noma Publishing Culture Award |
| 2023 | Years of achievements | Purple Ribbon Medal |
| 2023 | — | The 71st Kikuchi Kan Prize |
| 2024 | — | Japan Mystery Literature Award |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What was the cause of death of Keigo Higashino?
A. It was colon cancer. He passed away in the early morning of July 23, 2026, and Kodansha announced it on July 27. He was 68 years old.
Q2. What are some of Keigo Higashino's most representative works?
A. His works such as "Byakuyako" (Journey Under a Midnight Sun), "The Devotion of Suspect X," and "The Miracles of the Namiya General Store" are widely known. The Galileo series, featuring the genius physicist Manabu Yukawa, as well as the Kyoichiro Kaga series and the Masquerade series are also popular.
Q3. When will your final book be released?
A. The latest full-length novel in the Galileo series, "Eternal Memory," is scheduled to be published by Bungei Shunju on August 5, 2026. It will effectively be his last work.
Q4. Are there any film or television adaptations of your work that will be released after your death?
A. The film "Swan and Bat" (released September 4, 2026), the TV drama series "The Hollow Cross" (WOWOW, streaming begins September 6), and the film "The Gate of Murder" (released February 19, 2027) are all coming up.
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