I agree with Karin's recommendation of Kirino's Out. Been meaning to check out her Grotesque, too. As far as I know, those are the only two of her many novels to have been translated to English. Oops, just looked, there's a third, Real World, but that's the problem with a lot of Japanese noir/hardboiled, lack of translation.
There were supposedly quite a lot of yakuza novels over there, but few if any have been translated. I think Ashes by Kenzo Kitakata is supposed to be a good yakuza novel (thanks for reminding me, I just ordered it). Then there are a couple others I've had for a while, but have not yet gotten around to reading: The Tattoo Murder Case by Akimitsu Takagi and All She Was Worth by Miyuki Miyabe.
Then there are Geijin (non-Japanese) writers with books set in Japan. Brit (living in Japan) Peter Tasker wrote a trilogy of books about a Japanese PI named Mori. I read the first and enjoyed it. And then there is Barry Eisler's series about contract killer John Rain, who is a Japanese American. At least the first one is set in Japan.
Mark
> To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
> From: shadowkobun@yahoo.com
> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:58:20 +0000
> Subject: RARA-AVIS: Hard-Boiled Japan
>
> Hi! Any favorite novels or stories set in Japan?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Take Care!
>
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
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