In this July 17, 2019 photo, Natsuko Imamura (right) and Masumi Oshima pose with their books at a Tokyo hotel after it was announced that they were awarded the Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes, respectively. AP PHOTO
TOKYO: The works receiving one of Japan’s most coveted literary awards, the Naoki Prize, have something new in common: For the first time in 85 years, all six of the nominated authors are women.