The 芥川賞 (Akutagawa Prize) is a prestigious literary award in Japan, established in 1935. It is named after the famous author 芥川龍之介 (Ryunosuke Akutagawa) and is awarded semi-annually to recognize outstanding works of fiction by new or emerging writers. The prize aims to promote literary talent and encourage innovative storytelling. Recipients of the 芥川賞 often gain significant recognition in the literary community, leading to increased readership and opportunities for their future works. The award is considered one of the highest honors for Japanese authors.