Yoko Tawada (1960-) was born in Tokyo. After graduating from Waseda University with a degree in Russian language and literature, she moved to Germany. While working at a wholesale bookseller, she received a master degree from University of Hamburg. Then she continued studying at University of Zurich for her doctoral degree, at the same time of her creative activity. She won the Gunzo Prize for New Writers in 1991, for Kakato wo Nakushite (Missing Heels), and the Akutagawa Prize in 1993, for Inu muko Iri (The Bridegroom was a Dog). She made her debut in Germany with a poetry book in 1987. In the following year, she started writing in German. She then received several prizes in Germany, such as the Adelbert-von-Chamisso Prize (1996) and the Goethe Medal (2005). She lives in Berlin.

1991 Gunzo Prize for New Writers, for Kakato wo Nakushite (Missing Heals)

1993 Akutagawa Prize, for Inu muko iri (The Bridegroom was a Dog)

2003 Tanizaki Jun'ichiro Prize, for Yogisha no Yakoressha (Suspects on the Night Train)

2009 Tsubouchi Shoyo Prize