Gakushuin University
Shiono was born in Tokyo, on 7 July 1937. In high school she read Homer's "Iliad" and was fascinated by it. She graduated from Gakushuin University with a degree in philosophy. During her school years, she was deeply involved with student activism, but eventually became disillusioned with the movement. Shiono wanted to attend Waseda University, but she was denied by her father.