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Celebrating the 2025 Audiobook Awards

On November 4, 2025, the 2025 Audiobook Awards took place at the Book Publishing Club Hall in Jimbocho, Tokyo, hosted by OtoBank, the operator of Audiobook.jp, Japan's largest audiobook distribution service. The ceremony welcomed distinguished authors including Shinjo Ko, Kasumi Yasushi, and Katano Hideki, along with other participants connected to the winning works. This event, which has been held since 2022, aims to foster the growth of the audiobook industry and encourage the creation of outstanding works.

Understanding the Audiobook Awards

Audiobook.jp is a leading audiobook streaming service in Japan, boasting a membership of 3.2 million. The Audiobook Awards, organized by this platform, recognize exceptional titles chosen through votes from the audiobook community. Each year, users participate in an internet survey to select winners in various categories, emphasizing works that contribute significantly to the audiobook genre and its expansion. The voting for the 2025 awards occurred from August 7 to August 17, 2025, gathering nearly 1,000 responses.

Awards Results

Literary Division Grand Prize:

• - Title: Groundmaster

Author: Shinjo Ko
Publisher: Shueisha
Cast: Various prominent voice actors participated in the narration, enriching the storytelling experience.

Literary Division Runner-up:

• - Title: The Moon's Shadow / The Sea of Shadows (Volume 1, Chronicles of the Twelve Kingdoms)

Author: Fuyumi Ono
Publisher: Shinchosa
Narrator: Ayako Kuwakawa.

The authors expressed their gratitude and reflections on the evolving landscape of audiobooks. For example, Shinjo Ko shared that receiving the award was both an honor and a reflection of the collaboration with talented voice actors, which transformed the narrative into a compelling auditory experience.

Economic & Business Division Awards

Grand Prize:

• - Title: Why Can't I Read Books While Working?

Author: Kaho Miyake
Publisher: Shueisha
Narrator: Ayumu Seto.

Miyake pointed out how audiobooks are increasingly accessible, especially for busy professionals, allowing them to enjoy literature effortlessly.

Runner-up:

• - Title: The Science of Rest: How to Save You From Exhaustion

Author: Hideki Katano.
Publisher: Toyo Keizai Inc.
Narrator: Takuya Miyazawa.

Katano emphasized the importance of rest in enhancing productivity and well-being and thanked all who contributed to making the audiobook a success.

Special Awards

Audiobook.jp Special Award (Grand Prize):

• - Title: Inariyama Seizo: After the Storm, the Sky Turns Blue

Author: Yasushi Kasumi
Publisher: Discover Twentyone
Narrator: Daishi Hamamoto.

Kasumi spoke about the significance of the award and the impact that the narration had on the audience's experience.

• - Audiobook.jp Special Award (Runner-up):

- Title: Doraemon: Nobita and the Ideal Sky
Authors: Original by Fujiko F. Fujio, Script by Yoshihiro Fukushima.
Publisher: Shogakukan
Narrators: Yuka Keiho, Kazuto Kokubun.

Corporate Division Utilization Award

A special highlight was shared by multiple companies including MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Fujimoto HD, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya department store, all of whom have successfully integrated audiobooks into their employee development strategies.

Looking Forward

In the spirit of fostering a culture of listening and learning, the OtoBank President, Yuya Kubota, expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the audiobook ecosystem, underlining the company’s commitment to promoting audiobooks as a vital part of modern reading experiences. Following the ceremony, a fair featuring the winning audiobooks will tour bookstores nationwide.

With a mission to ensure that everyone has access to the joy of reading, OtoBank continues to expand its services, promising an exciting future for audiobooks in Japan and beyond.