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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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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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[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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Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

TOKYO, Japan Kyodo - Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii, who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles. (Kyodo)

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Shogi prodigy Fujii at ceremony

Eight-title-holding shogi player Sota Fujii speaks at a ceremony celebrating his recent defense of the game's most prestigious Ryuo title in Daisen in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 5, 2023.

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Shogi prodigy Fujii at ceremony

Eight-title-holding shogi player Sota Fujii receives a bouquet of flowers at a ceremony celebrating his recent defense of the game's most prestigious Ryuo title in Daisen in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 5, 2023.

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Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani (far R, front), who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (3rd from R, front), who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles.

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Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani (far R, front), who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (2nd from L, front), who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles.

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Battledores of 2023 newsmakers

Doll maker Kyugetsu Co.'s traditional Japanese "hagoita" battledores are shown to the press in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2023, with decorations of images of newsmakers of the year of 2023. Those featured include two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani (L, front), who became the first Japanese to win an MLB home run title, and shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (R, front), who became the first player ever to hold the board game's eight titles.

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Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023, after attending a ceremony to receive the Prime Minister's Award for his achievement in becoming the first player ever to hold all eight shogi titles.

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Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023, after attending a ceremony to receive the Prime Minister's Award for his achievement in becoming the first player ever to hold all eight shogi titles.

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Shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) receives a certificate for the Prime Minister's Award from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023, for his achievement in becoming the first player ever to hold all eight shogi titles. (Pool photo)

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Japan shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) receives a certificate for the Prime Minister's Award from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Japan shogi player Fujii receives PM Award

Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii (L) receives a plaque for the Prime Minister's Award from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Fujii becomes 1st shogi player ever to hold all 8 titles

Shogi player Sota Fujii attends a press conference in Kyoto on Oct. 12, 2023, a day after clinching his eighth title, Oza, with a victory over Takuya Nagase in the best-of-five series to become the first player in shogi history to hold all eight shogi titles simultaneously.

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Fujii becomes 1st shogi player ever to hold all 8 titles

Masayuki Kawamoto, mayor of the Aichi Prefecture city of Seto, the hometown of shogi player Sota Fujii, claps his hands on Oct. 12, 2023, in front of a drop curtain celebrating him clinching his eighth title, Oza, the previous day to become the first player in shogi history to hold all eight shogi titles simultaneously.

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Fujii becomes 1st shogi player ever to hold all 8 titles

People in the Aichi Prefecture city of Seto, the hometown of shogi player Sota Fujii, pose on Oct. 12, 2023, in front of a drop curtain celebrating him clinching his eighth title, Oza, the previous day to become the first player in shogi history to hold all eight shogi titles simultaneously.