was a Japanese novelist and critic.

Wada was born in Oshamambe, Hokkaidō, and graduated from Chuo University

Chuo University

Chuo University is a one of the Japanese leading universities. Thus it is competitive in several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university has been ranked 27th, 25th, 34th during 2008-2010 respectively in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai.-Research...

 with a law degree. In addition to his novels in the naturalist tradition, he edited the diaries of Ichiyō Higuchi and Fumiko Hayashi

Fumiko Hayashi (author)

was a Japanese novelist and poet.When Hayashi was seven, her mother ran away with a manager of her common-law husband's store, and afterwards the three worked in Kyūshū as itinerant merchants...

. He received many of Japan's highest literary awards, including the 1941 Akutagawa Prize

Akutagawa Prize

The is a Japanese literary award presented semi-annually. It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor of Bungeishunjū magazine, in memory of author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa...

 for Kakutō (The Fight), 1956 Japan Academy of the Arts award for Ichiyō no nikki (Diary of Ichiyō Higuchi), the 1963 Naoki Prize

Naoki Prize

The Naoki Prize is a Japanese literary award presented semiannually. The official name is Naoki Sanjugo Prize. It was created in 1935 by Kikuchi Kan, then editor of the Bungeishunjū magazine, and named in memory of novelist Naoki Sanjugo...

 for Chiri no Naka, and the 1974 Yomiuri Prize

Yomiuri Prize

The is a prestigious literary award in Japan. The prize was founded in 1948 by the Yomiuri Shinbun Company to help form a "cultural nation". The winner is awarded one million Japanese yen and an inkstone.-Award categories:...

for Tsugiki no dai.

Selected works

• Higuchi Ichiyō, Chikuma Shobō, 1954
• Hayashi Fumiko, Chikuma Shobō, 1961
• Aijō no kiroku, Chikuma Shobō, 1969
• Ichiyō tanjō, Gendai Shokan, 1969