Fable explores AI, identity, and ChatGPT in Tokyo novella
In a literary landscape increasingly shaped by technological advancements, Rie Qudan’s Akutagawa Prize-winning novella, Sympathy Tower Tokyo (originally Tōkyō-to Dōjō Tō), stands as a prescient and provocative work, intertwining a fantastical fable with pressing contemporary issues of identity, artificial intelligence, and societal values. Published in English in March 2025, the novella has garnered significant attention, not only for its compelling narrative but also for its author’s candid revelation that a portion of the text was generated using ChatGPT.
Set in a near-future Tokyo, where Zaha Hadid’s unbuilt Olympic stadium design graces the cityscape, the story introduces Sara Machina, a celebrated architect tasked with designing the titular “Sympathy Tower Tokyo”. This controversial high-rise is conceived as a compassionate rehabilitation facility for criminals, who are now reclassified as Homo miserabilis—victims of circumstance rather than perpetrators. As Machina grapples with the ethical complexities of a project that seems to contradict her own past experiences with crime, the narrative unfolds through shifting perspectives, including that of her would-be biographer and her much younger lover, Takt, who later becomes a “supporter” (guard) at the tower.
One of the most striking aspects of Sympathy Tower Tokyo is Qudan’s innovative use of generative AI. She revealed that approximately five percent of the novel, specifically the dialogue for an in-world AI character named “AI-built,” was directly lifted from ChatGPT. Far from a mere novelty, this integration serves as a thematic cornerstone, allowing Qudan to explore the very nature of language and human creativity. She views AI not as a replacement but as a “partner” or “second editor,” emphasizing that while AI can process information, it lacks the depth of human authorship. This meta-commentary on AI’s role in art has sparked widespread discussion, positioning Qudan at the forefront of a evolving literary debate.
Beyond the technological frontier, Qudan delves deeply into the evolution and societal impact of language itself. The novella critiques the “inorganic language pumped out by generative AI” and the “degraded by katakana coinages,” a Japanese script often used for foreign words. It posits that words are not just tools for expression but fundamentally shape our reality, exploring the nuanced relationship between traditional kanji and modern katakana, and how these linguistic shifts reflect broader societal changes. This intricate linguistic exploration is woven into a broader commentary on justice and identity, questioning the concept of “radical sympathy” towards criminals and the broader societal implications of such an approach. Qudan has cited the public reaction to the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, particularly the sympathy extended to the shooter’s background, as an inspiration for her exploration of societal attitudes towards criminals.
Praised by the Akutagawa Prize committee as “practically flawless,” Sympathy Tower Tokyo has been described as a “lyrical, witty, satirical but meditative and meticulous text” that feels “über-zeitgeisty” and “alarmingly prescient.” While some critics have noted its unconventional structure and a certain emotional distance, these elements often contribute to its disarming and thought-provoking nature. Qudan’s novella transcends simple categorization, offering a multifaceted exploration of crime, architecture, technology, and generational disconnect, all within a narrative that challenges readers to reconsider the very essence of human connection and communication in an increasingly AI-driven world.