Kazushige Abe (1968-), a film-lover from his childhood, dropped out of high school to go to Tokyo and seek his fortune as a movie director. After learning film techniques, he took the Gunzo Prize for New Writers for his powerful debut, the 1994 Amerika no yoru (American Night). He became one of Japan's most promising young writers, earning high praise from critics and editors. His 1997 Indibijuaru purojekushon (Individual Projection) won him numerous fans for its creative format.

1994 Gunzo Prize for New Writers, for Amerika no yoru (American Night)

2002 Noma Literary Prize for New Writers, for ABC senso (ABC War)

2004 Ito Sei Prize, and Mainichi Publishing Culture Prize, for Shinsemia (Sinsemillas)

2005 Akutagawa Prize, for Gurando finare (Grand Finale)