Nora Bierich studied philosophy and Japanese studies as major subjects at the Free University of Berlin. Receiving a Monbusho-research-scholarship, she stayed in Japan from 1989 to 1992. During this period her Japanese language ability improved quite well. After returning to Germany, she started translating and interpreting. Since the mid 80's she has been translating Japanese literature, starting with Yasushi Inoue, Haruki Murakami etc. She translated 4 books of Kenzaburo Oe and was awarded the Japan Foundation translator prize for her translation: Sayonara, watashi no hon yo! She recently translated Kazuki Kaneshiro's GO for JLPP.