Japan's Kenzaburo Oe, a Nobel-winning author of poetic fiction, dies at 88

Japanese Nobel Prize winning author Kenzaburo Oe poses in March 2012 during the inauguration of the 32nd Paris Book Fair, which focused on Japanese writers. (Jacques Brinon/AP)

TOKYO — Nobel literature laureate Kenzaburo Oe, whose darkly poetic novels were built from his childhood memories during Japan's postwar occupation and from being the parent of a disabled son, has died. He was 88.

Oe, who was also an outspoken anti-nuclear and peace activist, died on March 3, his publisher, Kodansha Ltd., said in a statement Monday. The publisher did not give further details about his death and said his funeral was held by his family.