History of Topics 2015

  In the playoff match to decide the challenger of the 53rd Judan title to Takao Shinji, held at the Nihon Ki-in in Tokyo on 5 February 2015, Ida Atsushi 8p (B) beat Kobayashi Satoru 9p by resignation after 139 moves.
  Ida will play for Judan title match for the first time.
  The first game of 53rd Judan title match will be held in 5th March 2015 at Osaka University of Commerce.

  The following six players get certified as shodan professional of The Nihon Ki-in in 2015.

Shibano Toramaru		Ito Kenryo
Age ： 15 Teacher ： None Affiliation ： The Nihon Ki-in Tokyo		Age ： 21 Teacher ： Yoshioka Kaoru 8p Affiliation ： The Nihon Ki-in Chubu
Ohnishi Ryuhei		Yokotsuka Riki
Age ： 14 Teacher ： None Affiliation ： The Nihon Ki-in Tokyo		Age ： 20 Teacher ： Komatsu Hideki 9p Affiliation ： The Nihon Ki-in Tokyo
Utani Shunta		Nyu Eiko
Age ： 22 Teacher ： None Affiliation ： The Nihon Ki-in Kansai		Age ： 15 Teacher ： Michael Redmond 9p Affiliation ： The Nihon Ki-in Chubu ( from Women Pro Qualification )

  The following promotions were made based on the prize money ranking list in 2014.

7 dan
Ohashi Naruya *Promoted to 7p No.1 of 6p at the prize money ranking in 2014
6 dan
Tajima Shingo *Promoted to 6p No.1 of 5p at the Prize money ranking in 2014	Shiraishi Yuichi *Promoted to 6p No.2 of 5p at the Prize money ranking in 2014
5 dan
Muramatsu Hiroki *Promoted to 5p No.1 of 4p at the Prize money ranking in 2014	Suzuki Shinji *Promoted to 5p No.2 of 4p at the Prize money ranking in 2014
4 dan
Hirata Tomoya *Promoted to 4p No.1 of 3p at the Prize money ranking in 2014	Obuchi Kotaro *Promoted to 4p No.2 of 3p at the Prize money ranking in 2014
3 dan
Takeuchi Kousuke *Promoted to 3p No.1 of 2p at the Prize money ranking in 2014	Numadate Sakiya *Promoted to 3p No.2 of 2p at the Prize money ranking in 2014
2 dan
Tanaka Nobuyuki *Promoted to 2p No.1 of 1p at the Prize money ranking in 2014	Koyama Kuya *Promoted to 2p No.2 of 1p at the Prize money ranking in 2014

  The Okura prize is awarded by the Nihon Ki-in in recognition for contributions to the spreading and growth of the game of go. The award is a tribute to Baron Okura Kishichiro who was the founding patrons of The Nihon Ki-in.
  The 44th Okura Prize is awarded to the following three persons:

- Mr. Hamada Masutane (age: 77)
  President of Hamada Sogyo Co., Limited, Sponsor of Okage Cup
- Mr. Nagata Takehiko (age: 74)
  President of Kitami Hakka Tsusho Co., Limited, Contributor for promotion of go in Hokkaido prefecture
- Mr. Ohmiya Hisasi (age: 71)
  President of Takara Shuzo Co., Limited, Sponsor of Takara Shuzo Cup (Japan’s biggest amateur tournament)
- Mr. Hane Yasumasa (age: 70)
  Professional 9dan, Senior Advisor of Go Association of Mie prefecture

  The prize winners were nominated by the selection committee of Okura Prize on 3 February 2015. The award ceremony of the Okura prize will be held at The Nihon Ki-in from 11am on 31st March 2015.

  Please be informed that the 36th World Amateur Go Championship will be held in Bangkok from 7 to 10 June 2015. For the first time, the tournament will be held in Thailand. (Previously, the tournament has been held in only Japan, China or Korea). The tournament venue will be Montien Riverside Hotel, Bangkok.

  A great master, Go Seigen, 100 years old, passed away from old age on 30th November 2014 in Kanagawa prefecture.
  Please be informed that a meeting for farewell to Go Seigen will be held at the Nihon Ki-in. Please attend the meeting to convey your thankfulness to Go Seigen.
* Note: you need not make an appointment to attend the meeting.

-Date: 5th April, 2015 (between 13:00 and 15:00)
-Place: Big hall of the second floor in the Nihon Ki-in