Banana Yoshimoto is the pen name of Mahoko Yoshimoto, a renowned Japanese writer. She was born on July 24, 1964, in Tokyo, Japan. From 2002 to 2015, she wrote her name in hiragana, emphasizing her unique and creative identity.

Yoshimoto grew up in a liberal family, which instilled in her a strong sense of independence. Her father, Takaaki Yoshimoto, was a prominent poet, and her sister, Haruno Yoiko, is a well-known cartoonist in Japan. This artistic environment likely influenced her literary career.

She graduated from Nihon University's Art College, majoring in Literature. During her time there, she adopted the pseudonym "Banana" due to her affection for banana flowers, a name she considers both "cute" and "purposefully androgynous."

Despite her widespread success, Yoshimoto maintains a low profile, often appearing in public without make-up, which reflects her down-to-earth personality.