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Female shogi player asks association to review pregnancy rules

Japanese shogi pro player Kana Fukuma (2nd from L), who holds six titles in the women's category, speaks during a press conference in Osaka on Dec. 10, 2025, after submitting a request to the Japan Shogi Association to revise rules that bar pregnant players from championship matches near their due dates.

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Female shogi player asks association to review pregnancy rules

Japanese shogi pro player Kana Fukuma (2nd from L), who holds six titles in the women's category, speaks during a press conference in Osaka on Dec. 10, 2025, after submitting a request to the Japan Shogi Association to revise rules that bar pregnant players from championship matches near their due dates.

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Female shogi player asks association to review pregnancy rules

Japanese shogi pro player Kana Fukuma, who holds six titles in the women's category, speaks during a press conference in Osaka on Dec. 10, 2025, after submitting a request to the Japan Shogi Association to revise rules that bar pregnant players from championship matches near their due dates.

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Female shogi player asks association to review pregnancy rules

Japanese shogi pro player Kana Fukuma (2nd from L), who holds six titles in the women's category, speaks during a press conference in Osaka on Dec. 10, 2025, after submitting a request to the Japan Shogi Association to revise rules that bar pregnant players from championship matches near their due dates.

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Shogi played with human pieces

Professional shogi player Momoko Kato (top) gives instructions as a shogi board game with "human pieces" is played on April 15, 2023, in the northeastern Japan city of Tendo in Yamagata Prefecture, the largest producer in Japan of shogi pieces. High school students in armor or kimono moved on a 15-meter square shogi board under instructions from Kato and another shogi pro, Miran Nohara.

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Shogi played with human pieces

Professional shogi player Miran Nohara gives instructions as a shogi board game with "human pieces" is played on April 15, 2023, in the northeastern Japan city of Tendo in Yamagata Prefecture, the largest producer in Japan of shogi pieces. High school students in armor or kimono moved on a 15-meter square shogi board under instructions from Nohara and another shogi pro, Momoko Kato.

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Youngest pro shogi player in women's category debuts in loss

Mirei Kamada, 13, the youngest pro shogi player in the women's category, is pictured after losing to Hiromi Nakakura in her debut match in Tokyo on May 28, 2022. She became a pro in the "joryu" women's category on May 1, 2022.

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Ueda clinches Joo women's shogi title

Professional shogi player Hatsumi Ueda speaks to journalists after completing a three-game sweep in the best-of-the-five series against defending champ Tomomi Kai for the Joo (queen) women's title in Tokyo on May 10, 2011.

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1st Joo women's shogi title holder Yauchi

Professional shogi player Rieko Yauchi smiles after beating Tomomi Kai in Game 4 of the best-of-five series for the newly created Joo (queen) women's title in Tokyo on May 14, 2008, becoming the first holder of the title.

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1st woman to head Japan Shogi Association

Professional shogi player Ichiyo Shimizu, 56, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on June 6, 2025, after being elected head of the Japan Shogi Association earlier in the day. A shogi pro in the women's category, Shimizu became the first woman to head the association, dating back over 100 years.

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Fukuma loses by default in shogi title series

Combined photo taken on Sept. 8, 2024, and in July 2022, respectively, shows professional shogi players in the women's category Tomoka Nishiyama (L) and Kana Fukuma. Nishiyama defended her Osho women's title as her competitor Fukuma withdrew from the third match of a best-of-three series due to ill health on Oct. 29, 2024. Fukuma earlier said she would be sidelined from competition between Nov. 17, 2024, and Feb. 12, 2025, due to pregnancy.

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Holder of 5 women's shogi titles back to competition

Professional shogi player Kana Fukuma, holder of five titles in the women's category, is pictured after beating Kei Kato in a round-robin match at the Hakurei women's championship in Takatsuki, Osaka, on Feb. 14, 2025. She returned to competition after being sidelined between Nov. 17, 2024, and Feb. 12, 2025, due to pregnancy.

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Children attend shogi event in Beijing

Elementary school students from Japan and China take part in a shogi event at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2025.

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Children attend shogi event in Beijing

Elementary school students from Japan and China take part in a shogi event at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2025.

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Shogi event in Beijing

Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi speaks during the opening ceremony of a shogi event at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2025. About 100 people, including elementary school students from Japan and China, took part in the annual event.

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Shogi event in Beijing

Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi speaks during the opening ceremony of a shogi event at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2025. About 100 people, including elementary school students from Japan and China, took part in the annual event.

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Children attend shogi event in Beijing

Elementary school students from Japan and China take part in a shogi event at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 9, 2025.

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Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 21 Kyodo - Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato, 84, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, after receiving a certificate from The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years. (Kyodo)

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Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato, 84, poses in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, with a certificate given by The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years.

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Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato, 84, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, after receiving a certificate from The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years.

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Ex-shogi Meijin holder Kato receives Guinness certificate

Former shogi Meijin title holder Hifumi Kato (R), 84, receives in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2024, a certificate from an official of The Guinness World Records, which recognized him as having the longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine. Kato began creating shogi puzzles aimed at checkmating the opponent's king for the Ie no Hikari monthly magazine in 1959, and the publication has continued for over 65 years.

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[Breaking News]Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii poses at a press conference in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.(Kyodo)

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 2, 2024, a day after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five title defense in the central Japan city. The 21-year-old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 2, 2024, a day after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five title defense in the central Japan city. The 21-year-old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 2, 2024, a day after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five title defense in the central Japan city. The 21-year-old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 2, 2024, a day after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five title defense in the central Japan city. The 21-year-old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi player Sota Fujii (facing camera) reviews his match against Takayuki Yamasaki after beating him in the third of a best-of-five series of games to defend his Kisei title in Nagoya on July 1, 2024. The win earned Fujii, holder of six other titles, lifetime status for the Kisei, making the 21-year old the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

People in the central Japan city of Seto, shogi star Sota Fujii's hometown, celebrate on July 1, 2024, after he earned lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five title defense in Nagoya. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks in front of fans in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii speaks at a press conference in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii poses at a press conference in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii earns lifetime status for Kisei title

Shogi star Sota Fujii poses at a press conference in Nagoya on July 1, 2024, after earning lifetime status for the Kisei title by beating challenger Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0 in a best-of-five defending match in the central Japan city. The 21-year old, who holds six other titles, became the youngest player to get lifetime status for a shogi title.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii reviews his match against Takumi Ito after losing to him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.(Kyodo)

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New Eio shogi title holder Ito

Shogi player Takumi Ito poses with a bouquet in Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 21, 2024, a day after beating Sota Fujii to secure the Eio title.

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New Eio shogi title holder Ito

Shogi player Takumi Ito smiles at a press conference in Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 21, 2024, a day after beating Sota Fujii to secure the Eio title.

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Ito grabs Eio title from Fujii

Shogi player Takumi Ito celebrates with a flower bouquet after grabbing the Eio title from Sota Fujii by beating him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024. Fujii lost one of his eight titles after completing a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Ito grabs Eio title from Fujii

Shogi player Takumi Ito poses after grabbing the Eio title from Sota Fujii by beating him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024. Fujii lost one of his eight titles after completing a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii reviews his match against Takumi Ito after losing to him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii reviews his match against Takumi Ito after losing to him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii (R) reviews his match against Takumi Ito after losing to him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii appears in front of fans after losing to Takumi Ito in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii (R) appears in front of fans after losing to Takumi Ito (L) in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii reviews his match against Takumi Ito after losing to him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii loses 1 of his 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii (R) reviews his match against Takumi Ito after losing to him in Game 5 of the best-of-five series for the Eio title in Kofu, west of Tokyo, on June 20, 2024, losing one of his eight titles. Fujii completed a sweep of the game's eight titles in October 2023, making him the first player ever to hold eight.

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Fujii defends Meijin title

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against Masayuki Toyoshima after defending the most prestigious Meijin title by beating him in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series in Monbetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan. With his first defense of Meijin, Fujii, who holds all eight shogi titles, has won or defended all 22 title matches he has fought.

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Fujii defends Meijin title

Sota Fujii, who holds all eight shogi titles, poses with a bouquet of flowers after defending the most prestigious Meijin title 4-1 in a best-of-seven series against Masayuki Toyoshima in Monbetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 27, 2024. With his first defense of Meijin, Fujii has won or defended all 22 title matches he has fought.

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Fujii defends Meijin title

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) reviews his match against Masayuki Toyoshima after defending the most prestigious Meijin title by beating him in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series in Monbetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan. With his first defense of Meijin, Fujii, who holds all eight shogi titles, has won or defended all 22 title matches he has fought.

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Fujii defends Meijin title

Sota Fujii, who holds all eight shogi titles, poses with a bouquet of flowers after defending the most prestigious Meijin title 4-1 in a best-of-seven series against Masayuki Toyoshima in Monbetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 27, 2024. With his first defense of Meijin, Fujii has won or defended all 22 title matches he has fought.