Kanae Minato

A Japanese writer of crime fiction and thrillers. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of Japan and the Honkaku Mystery Writers Club of Japan. She started writing after she had gotten married at age of 27, saying "I want to try something that will leave a tangible mark." She won Shosetsu Suiri New Writers Prize in 2007 for " The Priest" then won Japan Booksellers' Award for its sequel "Confessions" in 2009 which turned into a live-action film that was shortlisted for the Academy Award. She was nominated for Naoki three times. She also won the literary category in the 9th Best Mother Awards, which selects ideal mothers among celebrities. Often dubbed The Queen of Iyamisu which is a subgenre of mystery novels dealing with dark human emotions.

She currently resides in Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture