The Akutagawa Prize (芥川龍之介賞, Akutagawa Ryūnosuke Shō?) is a Japanese literary award presented semi-annually. It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor of Bungeishunjū magazine, in memory of author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa. It is currently sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Literature, and is awarded in January ('E' in the list, below) and July ('L' in the list below) to the best serious literary story published in a newspaper or magazine by a new or rising author.
The winner receives a pocket watch and a cash award of 1 million yen. Short stories and novellas win the prize more frequently than do full-length novels. Because of its prestige and the considerable attention the winner receives from the media, it is, along with the Naoki Prize, one of Japan's most sought after literary prizes.
Read more about Akutagawa Prize: Winners, Current Members of The Selection Committee, Special Occurrences
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