TOKYO, April 23 -- Haruki Murakami's first novel in three years will hit shelves in Japan in July, starring a woman as the main character for the first time, his publisher said Thursday.

Titled The Tale of KAHO, the internationally renowned author's latest release will see the titular character as the first female protagonist in his catalogue of full-length novels, publisher Shinchosha said Thursday on a specially created website.

The Japanese author of Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore is known for his intricate tales about the absurdity and loneliness of modern life, which have been translated into about 50 languages.

According to the novel's synopsis, 26-year-old picture book author Kaho encounters a male stranger who suddenly t...