10 Must-Read Japan Novels in English in 2021 Ask anyone with at least one eye on world literature in translation which countries are putting out the most groundbreaking novels , and they will likely mention Japan. Japan novels frequently bend and break genres , explore often untouched social and political themes , and speak to our very souls. Many novels in Japan come from historical and cultural stories , Japan was settled about 35 , 000 years ago by Paleolithic people from the Asian mainland. At the end of the last Ice Age , about 10 , 000 years ago , a culture called the Jomon developed. Jomon hunter-gatherers fashioned fur clothing , wooden houses , and elaborate clay vessels. According to DNA analysis , the Ainu people may be descendants of the Jomon. Many people Love Japanese history and Japanese fiction books . Japan's unique culture developed rapidly during the Heian era ( 794-1185 ) . The imperial court turned out enduring art ,