Japanese author Haruki Murakami to release 1st novel in 3 years

TOKYO - Internationally renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami will release his first novel in about three years in July, his publisher said Thursday.

"The Tale of KAHO" centers a 26-year-old author of picture books named Kaho, the publisher Shinchosha said, adding that it is the first time Murakami has depicted a woman as the lone protagonist of a novel.