Karatani is an 27-year-old native of Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. He has published many books in the fields of political economy and the history of philosophy, including Marx's "Capital" The Bergruen Institute has praised him as "ideologically crossing literature, philosophy, politics, and economics" Karatani: "I was surprised to hear the news of the award because I had never thought that I would win such a big award" The prize money is $7 million.