Reclusive author Haruki Murakami dispensing advice in new website

If you are troubled, lost in life or just feel like discussing cats and Japanese baseball, visit "Mr Murakami's Place" online.

Starting yesterday, acclaimed author Haruki Murakami began taking questions. He will dispense advice and answer questions over the next two weeks.

A best-selling novelist and perennial candidate for a Nobel Prize in literature, Murakami is notoriously publicity-shy, particularly in his home country. But he wants some virtual interaction with his readers, says his publisher Shinchosha.

Murakami's ask-me-anything session began yesterday at "Murakami-san no Tokoro", or "Mr Murakami's Place" - a site set up by Shinchosha Publishing.

"Waiting for questions, consultations, etc," said a handwritten message from Murakami on the site.

A cat lover and a big fan of the underdog Japanese baseball team the Yakult Swallows, Murakami personally suggested those topics, along with likes and dislikes about places .

But readers can post any questions or "little somethings" they want to tell Murakami during the sessions that run through to January 31, and Murakami is promising to try to answer as many of them as possible.