The library would archive his books, various stages of drafts of his novels, materials he used to write his books, and his translation work, as well as his massive collection of music, which plays a key role in his stories, he said.

The library is planned at Waseda University, his alma mater in Tokyo.

"I'm more than happy if those materials can contribute any way for those who want to study my works," the media-shy Murakami said at his first formal news conference in 37 years.

Murakami began writing while running a jazz bar in Tokyo before graduating from Waseda in 1975.

His debut novel, Hear the Wind Sing, came out in 1979, and the 1987 romantic novel Norwegian Wood was his first best-seller, establishing him as a young literary star.

His latest novel, Killing Commendatore, recently hit US bookstores.

The library project emerged earlier this year when Murakami offered to donate his growing collection of materials as he was running out of space at his home and office.

"I also have no children to take care of them and I didn't want those resources to be scattered and lost when I die," said the 69-year-old, who is a perennial contender for the Nobel literature prize.

"I'm grateful that I can keep them in an archive."

Waseda officials said details were still being worked out, but a partial archive would start in 2019.

Australian Associated Press