Announcement of the “Audiobook Awards 2025”! “The Land Scammers” won the Literary Arts Grand Prize, and “Why Working Makes You Unable to Read Books” won the Business Book Grand Prize.
OTOBANK Inc. Press Release: October 14, 2025 To Members of the Press “Audiobook Awards 2025” announced! “The Land Scammers” won the Literary Award, and “Why Working Makes You Unable to Read” won the Business Book Award. Japan’s only audiobook award, sponsored by audiobook.jp, introduces the audiobook.jp Special Award, the Kikuchi Yusei Award, starting this year. Otobank Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuya Kubota; hereinafter “Otobank”), operator of “audiobook.jp,” the website with the largest selection of audiobooks (※1), is pleased to announce the winners of the Audiobook Awards 2025, Japan’s only audiobook awards program. The awards, which began in 2022 with the aim of promoting the rapidly expanding audiobook culture, were decided by user votes. The Literary Grand Prize went to “The Land Scammers,” the Runner-up went to “Shadow of the Moon, Shadow of the Sea (Part 1) Twelve Kingdoms 1,” the Business Book Grand Prize went to “Why Working Makes You Unreadable,” and the Runner-up went to “The Study of Rest: Saving You from Fatigue.” This year, the awards also introduced the “audiobook.jp Special Award” and “Kikuchi Yusei Award,” recognizing the appeal of audiobooks from multiple perspectives. Furthermore, in the Corporate Edition category, which was introduced last year, three companies that actively use audiobooks for human resource development and other purposes received the Utilization Award. The award ceremony is scheduled for November 4th, with the authors and related parties of the winning works taking the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories and the thoughts behind the audiobooks. Images from the event will be posted on audiobook.jp’s official note at a later date. *1. Survey conducted by the Japan Marketing Research Organization in November 2023. Survey of the number of Japanese audiobook titles.
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distribution service with 3 million members, with the aim of further developing the audiobook market and encouraging the creation of excellent works. Winning works are determined by votes from
audiobook.jp users. Awards are given to works and companies that receive the most votes in each category and have made a particularly significant contribution to the spread of audiobooks. The predecessor, the “Audiobook Awards,” was last held in 2017, but was revived in 2022 due to growing demand in recent years. Since then, it has been held annually as the “Audiobook Grand Prize,” based primarily on user voting. In addition, in January 2022, we launched the “audiobook.jp Corporate Edition,” an all-you-can-listen plan for corporations, which has now been adopted by over 200 companies. Among companies that have adopted the “audiobook.jp Corporate Edition,” the Corporate Edition Category/Utilization Award is awarded to companies that have effectively incorporated audiobooks and actively utilized them for employee growth and organizational development. 【Judging Method for Each Work Category】 ●An online survey was conducted among audiobook.jp users. ●The Grand Prize and Runner-up Prizes will be determined from the works receiving the most votes in each category in the survey. ●Survey Period: August 7th – August 17th, 2025 ●Number of Responses: Approximately 1,000 The newly established “audiobook.jp Special Award” and “Kikuchi Yusei Award” are selected based on their respective selection criteria. ▼List of Past Audiobook Award Winners
https://www.otobank.co.jp/audiobook-award ■Audiobook Awards 2025 Winners and Companies 【Literary Category】 ◆Grand Prize “The Land Fraudsters” Author: Kou Shinjo Publisher: Shueisha Cast
(Narrator/Cast): Kengo Kawanishi, Sho Hayami, Nobuaki Kanemitsu, Yukari Hikita, Motoi Koyanagi, Tetsuya Kawahigashi, Ryunosuke Watanuki, Keita Maeda, Ayaka Okamoto, Kotaro Shinohara Streaming URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/271512 ▼Voices from the poll (excerpts) – This was my first time listening to the audiobook. The thrilling plot made me want to hear more and more. – The sense of realism was amazing. – The intense acting was so amazing that I listened to the whole thing in one go. – It was such an interesting work that I listened to the audiobook twice, bought the paperback, and subscribed to a video streaming service to watch the video version. I’m curious to know how the voice actor who played Harrison Yamanaka prepared for the role and how he managed to produce that voice. ◆Second Prize “Moon’s Shadow, Sea of Shadows (Part 1) Twelve Kingdoms 1” Author: Ono Fuyumi Publisher: Shinchosha Narrator: Hisakawa Aya Distribution URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/272602 ▼Voices from the vote (excerpts) – I was glad to see voice actors from the anime version appearing. – I was feeling nostalgic for “Twelve Kingdoms,” a series I used to read as a student, so I listened to it and was captivated by Aya Hisakawa’s diverse voice and acting. I’m looking forward to the release of the second volume. – Hisakawa, who is involved in the series, was used as the narrator, which really immersed me in the world. – I’ve always loved Twelve Kingdoms, and it’s even more amazing that Hisakawa, who plays Yoko, will be the narrator. [Business book category] ◆Grand Prize ‘Why Working Makes You Unable to Read Books’ Author: Kaho Miyake Publisher: Shueisha Narrator: Ayumi Seto Streaming URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/269902 ▼Voices received from the vote (excerpts) ・It felt like a new perspective, and at the same time, it made a lot of sense. ・It gave me an opportunity to rethink how I use my time. – I was interested in this book and wanted to read it, but I couldn’t get around to it, so I was very glad to be able to listen to it as an audiobook. – I thought this was an important issue that we living in the modern world must face throughout our lives. ◆Runner-up Prize “The Science of Rest: Saving You from Fatigue” Author: Katano Hideki Publisher: Toyo Keizai Inc. Narrator: Miyazawa Takuya Distribution URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/270405 ▼Voices from the vote (excerpts) – I learned a lot from learning about rest, which is an established academic topic. – I’m really bad at switching between work and personal life, so I read this book to try to incorporate it into my life. I’m glad I learned about specific actions. – I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it, so I bought the book too. – The concept of rest has changed. 【Special Category】 This year, we have added the “audiobook.jp Special Award” and the “Kikuchi Yusei Award.” The “audiobook.jp Special Award” is presented to works or initiatives that contribute to the development of audiobook culture and demonstrate particular topicality and novelty, or that open up new possibilities in terms of production or expression. The winners were selected through internal discussions within Otobank, Inc., the operator of audiobook.jp, based on user votes and feedback from users. The “Kikuchi Yusei Award” is a special award selected by Major League Baseball pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, the official audiobook.jp ambassador. The authors select works from their own perspective that will convey the appeal of audiobooks to as many people as possible. ◆audiobook.jp Special Award Grand Prize “Seizo Inariyama: Blue Skies After the Storm” Author: Yasushi Kasumi Publisher: Discover 21 Narrator: Hiroshi Hamamoto Streaming URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/272942 ▼Reasons for Selection The first book in the series garnered even more support as an audiobook than as a print book, creating a new connection with listeners. Following this trend, this second work will be published only as an e-book and audiobook, becoming a symbolic example of the expansion of the reading experience. ◆Audiobook.jp Special Award, Second Prize “Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Sky Utopia” Novel Author: Original story by Fujiko F. Fujio, written by Naohiro Fukushima, script by Ryota Furusawa Publisher: Shogakukan Narrators: Yuka Yoshinaga, Kazuto Kokubun Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/270532 ▼Reason for Selection We took on the new challenge of turning the novel based on a beloved animated film into an audiobook, bringing the joy of listening to books to a wide range of generations. This approach, which combines video, books, and audio, has opened up new possibilities for audiobooks. The winner of the “Kikuchi Yusei Award” will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held on November 4th. [Corporate version category] The “Corporate Edition Utilization Award” will be awarded to companies that have adopted the “audiobook.jp Corporate Edition” and are actively using audiobooks to foster employee growth and organizational development. The award was made after discussions within Otobank, Inc., the operator of audiobook.jp, taking into account the current usage status and employee feedback. ◆Utilization Award ・MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. ・Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co., Ltd. ・Fujimoto Holdings Co., Ltd. ■Comment from Otobank President and CEO Yuya Kubota
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/557/34798-557-8de295f65f7e631d17d2550a5eb40c4f-539×672.jpg At this year’s Audiobook Awards, many users commented, “I enjoyed it all the way to the end because it was audio,” and “The cast’s performance drew me into the world of the story.” I truly believe that audiobooks play a significant role in broadening the appeal of works. This year in particular, award winners included business books that encourage working adults to keep reading and books that are accessible to children and adults alike, highlighting the widespread use of audiobooks in everyday life and learning. Furthermore, in the corporate sector, audiobooks are increasingly being adopted for corporate human resource development and engagement improvement, strongly indicating the widespread use of audio. Otobank celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and has embarked on a new decade. We will continue to work with publishers, creators, and companies to further expand the possibilities of audiobooks, in order to realize a society where reading and listening to books are the natural choice. 【Interviews regarding this matter】 Otobank, Inc. Public Relations Office Email: pr@otobank.co.jp For other inquiries, please contact: https://www.otobank.co.jp/contact/ ■What is an audiobook? Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/557/34798-557-8395c1308109824f1b5f5e3abd4a2ecc-650×434.png Audiobooks are books you listen to, where a narrator or voice actor reads the book aloud. Because you can enjoy reading using only your ears, they’re perfect for people who have difficulty reading, as well as for reading while running, commuting by train or car, doing housework, or any other situation in your daily life. In recent years, the number of audiobook users has skyrocketed due to the rapid spread of smartphones and wireless earphones, which have rapidly improved the accessibility of audio content, and the introduction of subscription plans that allow unlimited listening to a variety of titles for a fixed fee. Audiobooks are now becoming the third type of book, following print and e-books. [Reference] Learn about audiobook production and recommended titles! “Easy to Understand! Audiobook” https://bit.ly/3Xg8mFJ ■audiobook.jp（オーディオブックジェイピー）
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/557/34798-557-7c2c4942cfae34865ed52bd8d924a35e-1448×276.jpg 株式会社オトバンクが運営する、日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービスです。
2007年より配信を開始した「FeBe」からリニューアルし、2018年3月よりサービスを開始。オーディオブックのカテゴリー普及に向けてプラットフォームの拡大を目指します。 2024年2月に会員数が300万人を突破。 https://audiobook.jp/ ＜audiobook.jp
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音声コンテンツを中心とした事業を展開し、「聞き入る文化の創造」「目が不自由な人へのバリアフリー」「出版文化の振興」の達成を目指している、日本最大級の配信数を誇るオーディオブックカンパニーです。
500社以上の出版社様と提携し、主な事業として、日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス「audiobook.jp」でのオーディオブック販売をはじめ、オンラインブックガイド「新刊JP」(https://sinkan.jp/)を中心とした書籍プロモーション事業も行っています。 https://www.otobank.co.jp/ 当リリースの詳細について
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