Photo/Illutration Multi-shogi titleholder Kana Fukuma speaks at a news conference the day after submitting a petition at the Osaka Bar Association building in Osaka on Dec. 10. (Takuya Tanabe)

OSAKA—A decorated shogi champion here has called for a rule that accommodates players whose pregnancy or childbirth overlaps with competing in championship matches. 

“The current rules force us to choose between titles and giving birth, and I am deeply concerned about the future of the shogi profession,” Kana Fukuma said at a Dec. 10 news conference. “I want this industry to become a place where every girl can pursue the top among female shogi players without worry.”

Fukuma, 33, holds six of the eight major women’s shogi championship titles. She held the morning news conference at the Osaka Bar Association building in the city's Kita Ward a day after submitting a petition to the Japan Shogi Association seeking to amend its rules to account for pregnancy and childbirth of players. 

The high level of public interest in the issue was reflected in the 20-some media outlets present at the news conference that began shortly after 10 a.m. Fukuma's lawyer also attended and opened by outlining why it was being held.

With her voice hoarse from feeling unwell, Fukuma later explained the developments and the contents of the petition. 

The pro shogi player gave birth to her first son in December 2024 after experiencing poor health during her pregnancy, something that led to schedule adjustments for three of her title defense matches.

However, this accommodation did not extend to title matches in the Hakurei and Osho tournaments where she was a challenger and her absence translated to an automatic loss.

“Shogi is my life. After losing the matches by default, I wasn’t able to feel any joy about my pregnancy. I was in unbearable pain,” Fukuma said at the news conference when sharing how she felt during that time.

The Japan Shogi Association responded to the issue by starting to create rules on pregnancy and childbirth last year.

This April, it introduced a rule that, “If the schedule of a match overlaps, even by a single game, with the six weeks before childbirth or eight weeks following it, the player will be replaced.”

However, this addition may prevent some titleholders who give birth from defending their titles, resulting in the loss of the title.

Fukuma said at the news conference that she was honestly shocked to see the rule because her request wasn’t reflected in it at all. She also said she lost hope of having a second child due to the rule.

In the petition she submitted on Dec. 9, Fukuma requested that “players be allowed to determine whether to participate in title matches or adjust the dates and venues based on doctor’s advice or their health condition,” and that “a titleholder not lose her position during maternity leave,” among other provisions.

In response to a reporter’s question, Fukuma said, “I hope society becomes a place where we can both pursue our work and experience pregnancy and childbirth.”

(This article was written by Keiji Sato and Akina Nishi.)

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