Fans mourn passing of legendary screenwriter So Kuramoto

Fans are gathering in Hokkaido to mourn the passing of renowned screenwriter So Kuramoto, who died at age 91. In Furano, the setting for his iconic drama ‘Kita no Kuni kara’, a memorial flower stand has been established at the Furano Drama Museum, receiving over 100 bouquets daily.

Events have been held to celebrate his legacy, including a contest where fans of all ages perform famous lines from his works. In Sapporo, the Central Library has created a dedicated memorial section featuring approximately 120 of his works, with several titles seeing high demand and long waiting lists for loans.

Kuramoto was a defining figure of the Showa era, known for works like ‘Zenryaku Ofukuro-sama’ and ‘Kita no Kuni kara’. His storytelling often focused on the lives of ordinary people and offered critiques of economic materialism and the erosion of human connection.