Japan's longest-serving shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

TOKYO -- Hifumi Kato, who had the longest career as a professional shogi player at 62 years, died of pneumonia on Jan. 22. He was 86.

Kato, who made many appearances on TV and was affectionately known as "Hifumin," was born in 1940 in Inatsuki, Fukuoka Prefecture, which is now part of the city of Kama. He studied under Shoji Kenmochi, a player with a ninth-dan ranking. He was promoted to fourth dan in 1954, becoming the first junior high school shogi professional and the youngest to achieve the rank at 14 years and 7 months. He held this record until it was broken by Sota Fujii, now 23.

Kato rose nonstop from the lowest C2 class to the top A class in the ranking league, earning the nickname "the greatest genius since Emperor Jimmu." He remained in the A class in the ranking league until age 62 and continued playing as a pro until the age of 77 years and 5 months, making him the oldest professional player.

In December 2016, the year before his retirement, he played Fujii in the Ryuo tournament, and the showdown drew attention as a match between the youngest and oldest players in history.

Over his career Kato won eight major titles, including one Osho title, and finished with a record of 1,324 wins and 1,180 losses.

In 2024, Kato was recognized by Guinness World Records for having the "longest career as a board game puzzle writer for the same magazine," having published shogi puzzles in the JA Group's monthly magazine "Ie no Hikari" for 65 years.

Kato was known for his cheerful spirit and willingness to play the clown on TV quiz and variety shows, and he gained popularity with his carefree smile and plainspoken manner. Even after retiring, he remained active through events, lectures and publishing books.

Kato's wake will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 27, and his funeral will take place at 1:30 p.m. the following day at St. Ignatius Church, a Catholic Church in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. The chief mourner will be his eldest son, Junichi.

(Mainichi)