TOKYO, July 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese mystery fiction author Keigo Higashino has died aged 68, his publisher said on Monday, triggering an outpouring of grief among fans across Asia.

Since his 1985 debut, Higashino wrote more than 100 books, with much of his work widely translated and adapted for film and television.

"Author Keigo Higashino passed away due to colon cancer in the early morning of July 23. He was 68," publisher Kodansha said in a statement.

A statement posted on Higashino's X account said that the author passed away in the early hours of last Thursday.

"Mr. Higashino's published works, from his debut novel 'After School', released in September 1985, to his latest book 'Eternal Memory', scheduled for release on August 5, 2026, total 106 books (excluding co-authored works)," the statement read.

"The stories he created will continue to captivate many readers," the statement said.

Higashino, whose books include "The Devotion of Suspect X" and "Malice", enjoyed a loyal following around Asia, including in China where thousands of people took to social media to mourn the writer.

Other works included "The Keeper of the Camphor Tree" which was turned into an animated film, and the "Galileo" series of detective novels which became a live-action TV series.

"Thank you very much. Your 'Detective Galileo' series was the first novel I bought. Thank you very much for giving me the best reading experience ever," said one Japanese user on X.

Another posted: "Seriously? Unbelievable, please someone tell me this is a lie."

"Ever since I took up Mr. Higashino's novel as a teen, my life as a book lover started. His novels stunned me, influenced me and made me experience a whole range of emotions. These are all treasures of mine," added a third.

In China, the passing of the Japanese novelist quickly became one of the top trending topics on social media platform Weibo.

Despite the volatile diplomatic ties between Beijing and Tokyo, his works have long been massively popular among readers in China.

"The Miracles of the Namiya General Store" sold more than 10 million copies within its first four years in the mainland Chinese market, according to Chinese news portal ifeng.com.

"His works accompanied me throughout my high school years. Rest in peace," one Weibo user said.

"I got through the darkest period of my life by reading his novels," another wrote.

He was also popular in South Korea.

"I've read so many of Keigo Higashino's books, and this feels so surreal. There are still so many of his books I haven't gotten around to reading yet," said one Threads user in Korea.

"Higashino had always been there ever since I was a little kid, and thanks to him, I was able to become a mystery novelist in South Korea. May he rest in peace," wrote South Korean novelist Park Ha-ru on his Threads account.