'Convenience store worker who moonlights as an author wins prestigious Akutagawa Prize'. ^ 'Convenience Store Woman (Audiobook)'.She says that she wanted to write from the perspective of 'someone who defied conventional thinking, particularly in a conformist society'. In a profile for The New York Times, the author explained she 'wanted to illustrate how odd the people who believe they are ordinary or normal are' and that she admires Keiko's character, who chooses and is fine with not having sex at all. Murata herself works at a convenience store on a part-time basis. She then walks away from an enraged Shiraha, cancels the interview, and resolves to find herself a new konbini. When Shiraha confronts her, she explains that her purpose in life is to be a konbini employee, even though she knows that it would be easier and more convenient for her to live the semblance of a 'normal' life with him. She sees that the store is not as regulated and immediately begins rearranging the merchandise and assisting the staff. On the way to the first job interview, Keiko and Shiraha stop at a konbini. She stays home doing nothing, and only at Shiraha's insistence applies for steady jobs. They decide that by pretending to be a couple, they can avoid problems with families and a society that expects them to have romantic relationships, children, and stable jobs.Īs part of the plan, Keiko eventually quits her job in the konbini, though she immediately feels that her life has lost purpose. While they have no affection for each other, Shiraha eventually moves in with Keiko. Keiko meets Shiraha, a man who cannot hold a steady job and lives on the fringes of society since he doesn't conform to 'normal' expectations. Keiko maintains some friendships and a relationship with her sister, but finds it increasingly difficult to explain why, after 18 years, she is still single and working as a temp in a convenience store. She models her behaviour, dress style, and even speech patterns on those of her coworkers.

The highly regulated world of the konbini, where each action is prescribed by the corporate manual, allows her to maintain an identity acceptable to those around her and a sense of purpose.

She has known since childhood that she is 'different' and that expressing her own views and actions is inexplicable and distressing to others, and causes problems. Keiko Furukura is a 36-year-old woman who has been working part-time at a convenience store, or konbini, for the last 18 years.

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