How many books has Shintaro Ishihara written?

Shintaro Ishihara published 2 novels and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Shintaro Ishihara's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Season of the Sun.

What is Shintaro Ishihara's last book?

The Japan That Can Say No (1989).

What is Shintaro Ishihara's most famous book?

Season of the Sun (1956) is Shintaro Ishihara's most widely read book.

Which Shintaro Ishihara books have been adapted?

1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Season of the Sun (film, 1956).

Shintaro Ishihara books in order

Japanese politician and author, Governor of Tokyo

Lived: 1932–2022
Country: Japan
Books: 3

Shintaro Ishihara published 2 novels and 1 other book, beginning with Season of the Sun (1956).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Shintaro Ishihara

Start here
Season of the Sun
Shintaro Ishihara's most-read book.

Standalone novels in order

Season of the Sun (Mar 1956)
Adapted for film
Buy
The Japan That Can Say No (Jan 1989)
158 pages
Buy

Other books in order

Season of Violence, the Punishment Room, the Yacht and the Boy (1966)
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

Season of the Sun (1956)Film · from Season of the Sun
Season of the Sun (2002)TV · from Season of the Sun

About Shintaro Ishihara

Shintaro Ishihara was a Japanese politician and writer, who served as the Governor of Tokyo from 1999 to 2012. Being the former leader of the radical right Sunrise Party, later merged with Toru Hashimoto's Japan Restoration Party out of which he split his faction into the Party for Japanese Kokoro, he was one of the most prominent ultranationalists in modern Japanese politics. Ishihara was criticized for his misogynistic comments, his xenophobic views and his racist remarks against Chinese and Koreans in Japan, including his use of the antiquated pejorative term "sangokujin".

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Shintaro Ishihara FAQ

How many books has Shintaro Ishihara written?: Shintaro Ishihara published 2 novels and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Shintaro Ishihara's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Season of the Sun.
What is Shintaro Ishihara's last book?: The Japan That Can Say No (1989).
What is Shintaro Ishihara's most famous book?: Season of the Sun (1956) is Shintaro Ishihara's most widely read book.
Which Shintaro Ishihara books have been adapted?: 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Season of the Sun (film, 1956).

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.