Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami is taking to the airwaves to help alleviate the boredom of those under quarantine in his home country.
The author of such beloved books as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and 1Q84 will host a radio special next week to entertain Japanese residents who are staying at home because of the country’s coronavirus lockdown, the Guardian reports.
Murakami’s “Stay Home Special” will air on nearly 40 radio stations in Japan on May 22. The author will answer questions from listeners and spin some of his favorite tunes.
“I’m hoping that the power of music can do a little to blow away some of the corona-related blues that have been piling up,” Murakami said.
Murakami has long been known for his love of music. He’s hosted occasional radio specials on Tokyo FM before, and from 1974 to 1981, he ran a Tokyo jazz bar called Peter Cat, named after his pet.
He’s also a fan of popular music. His novel Norwegian Wood was named after a Beatles song, and he’s the author of Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa, a collection of discussions with the former music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
On a website for the radio special, Murakami writes that he’s recording the special from his study at home instead of the Tokyo FM studio, noting, “I’m the only one, but Ms. Nekoyama helps me a little. (Meow meow.)” The text is accompanied by a cartoon depicting Murakami enjoying a cup of coffee while a gray cat eats what appears to be a donut.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
