Japan Shogi Association

Japanese: 日本将棋連盟 - にほんしょうぎれんめい（英語表記）Japan Shogi Association

A public interest incorporated association made up of professional shogi players of 4th dan or higher, with the goals of popularizing and developing shogi, improving skills, and promoting international friendship through shogi. As of the end of March 2016, there were 232 regular members.
Its predecessor was the Tokyo Shogi Association, which was formed in 1924 by players from Tokyo, and in 1927, players from Kansai joined and it became the Japan Shogi Association. In 1936, it changed its name to Shogi Taiseikai, but in 1947, it changed its name back to the Japan Shogi Association. It became an incorporated association in 1949, and a public interest incorporated association in 2011.
Its main activities include hosting official professional tournaments such as the seven major title matches (Ryuuou, Meijin, Kisei, Oza, Kiō, and Ōsho), amateur tournaments, and seminars, providing game records (records of games) and commentary to contracted media organizations, and publishing the monthly magazine "Shogi World" and game records.
It is the only organization of professional shogi players in Japan, but in October 2016 allegations of cheating involving the use of shogi software during matches surfaced, and the organization has been in turmoil ever since due to delays in responding to such allegations, including confirmation and investigation.
The whole turmoil began when Kubo Toshiaki, who played against Miura Hiroyuki, and Watanabe Akira, the Ryuo who was scheduled to play against Miura in the 29th Ryuo Tournament in October, complained to the federation in July 2016 that Miura's moves unnaturally matched those of the software, raising suspicions of cheating. In October 2016, before the Ryuo Tournament, the federation suspended Miura from participating in official matches until the end of December, and from December onwards banned the bringing of electronic devices such as smartphones into the match room. Maruyama Tadahisa, who played in the 29th Ryuo Tournament in October, responded by denying the allegations of using software and releasing a written statement in protest of the suspension.
A third-party investigation committee set up by the federation analyzed Miura's smartphone and computer, interviewed other players, and concluded in December 2016 that the allegations raised by the federation could not be denied or confirmed. In response to the results of this investigation, the federation's chairman, Tanigawa Koji, apologized to Miura. As a relief measure for Miura, it was decided to guarantee him an A-class status, allowing him to compete in the league matches for the Meijin challenge right for the next term. It was also decided to reduce the remuneration of some directors, including Chairman Tanigawa.
Furthermore, in January 2017, Chairman Tanigawa and Executive Director Akira Shima announced that they would resign midway through their terms, taking responsibility for the confusion. The federation held an extraordinary general meeting in February, electing Yasumitsu Sato and Keita Inoue as new executive directors, and selecting Sato as the new chairman.

(Writer: Minami Fumie/2017)

Source : "Chiezo" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. About Chiezo

Japanese:

将棋の普及・発展や技術の向上、将棋を通した国際親善などを目的に、四段以上のプロ棋士でつくる公益社団法人。正会員は2016年3月末時点で232人。
1924年に東京の棋士らが結成した「東京将棋連盟」が前身で、27年に関西の棋士も合流して「日本将棋連盟」となった。36年に「将棋大成会」と改称したが、47年、名称を「日本将棋連盟」に戻した。49年に社団法人、2011年に公益社団法人となっている。
主な事業として、七大タイトル戦(竜王、名人、棋聖、王位、王座、棋王、王将)といったプロの公式棋戦やアマチュアの大会、講習会の開催、契約する報道機関への棋譜(対局の記録)の提供や解説、月刊誌「将棋世界」や棋譜の刊行などがある。
日本で唯一のプロ棋士の団体だが、2016年10月、対局での将棋ソフトを用いた不正疑惑が表面化し、確認や調査などその後の対応が遅れたことから混乱が続いている。
一連の騒動は、三浦弘行九段と対戦した久保利明九段や、三浦九段と10月の第29期竜王戦で対戦予定だった渡辺明竜王らから、16年7月以降、連盟に「指し手がソフトと不自然に一致する」などと不正を疑う指摘が寄せられたことから始まった。連盟は、竜王戦の開催前の16年10月、三浦九段を12月末まで公式戦の出場停止処分とし、12月から対局室へのスマートフォン(スマホ)など電子機器の持ち込みを禁止するなどの措置を取った。10月の第29期竜王戦には、丸山忠久九段が出場した。これに対し、三浦九段はソフト使用疑惑を否定、出場停止処分を不服とする声明を書面で発表した。
連盟が設置した第三者調査委員会が三浦九段のスマホやパソコンを解析し、他の棋士への聞き取り調査などを行い、16年12月、連盟側が挙げた疑惑の根拠を否定、または確認できないと結論付けた。この調査結果を受けて、連盟の会長谷川浩司九段は三浦九段に謝罪した。三浦九段への救済策として、次期も名人挑戦権を争うリーグ戦に出場できるA級の地位を保証することを決めた。また、谷川会長ら一部の理事への理事報酬の減給処分を決定した。
更に17年1月、混乱の責任を取る形で、谷川会長と常務理事の島朗九段が任期途中で辞任すると発表した。連盟は2月に臨時総会を開き、新たな常務理事に佐藤康光九段と井上慶太九段を選出、佐藤九段を新会長に選んだ。

(南　文枝　ライター／2017年)

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