WHAT'S NEW - ISPS

In Korea, an institute to train Japanese Shogi trainers has been established. In January in Korea, the “Institute for Japanese Shogi Trainers”, which had been described as “Dreams and Projects”, was really established. The Institute plans to turn out Shogi teachers for elementary schools and kindergartens in Korea so the children can enjoy the game as extra curricula activities. It is reported that although the number of days is limited for this year, dozens of eager candidates have already gathered together. (Naohiro Sanada,Chairman,ISPS)

We have carried out the interchange festa between Japan and Korea on which an announcement was made in “Kakehashi No. 24”. The detail is given below: (Naohiro Sanada, Chairman）

The First Yokohama and Shanghai Shogi Exchange was held in February 2003 by inviting a number of children in Yokohama including 8 representatives of elementary schools and junior high schools of Shanghai. In addition to the formal Shogi matches, a Shogi match for pleasure was held between Japanese and Chinese children. (by Naohiro Sanada, chairman)

My dream to invite children who are strong in Shogi from Shanghai to Yokohama, a friendship town, was realized on February 1 of this year by opening successful goodwill Shogi matches in a comfortable lounge of the Yokohama International Exchange Association. (By Naohiro Sanada, Chairman)

So far Korea is said to be a country near but distant. Even today this remains to be the same. For instance, among Japanese Shogi fans, very few people can play Changi (Korean Shogi). Probably, ordinary Japanese do not know that in Korea there is original Korean “Shogi”. On the other hand, in Korea, very few people know about Japanese Shogi, even though they may know something about Chinese Shogi and chess. (by Naohiro Sanada, chairman)

A Subsidy obtained, now for Realization of Dreams

Having obtained a subsidy from the Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges, we have established a plan to be described below in detail. In Shanghai, Shogi has come to be popular a few years later than Beijing. However, it is reported that the level of Shogi in Shanghai is a bit higher than that in Beijing. As a matter of fact, in 2001, an elementary school boy came to sit for an entrance examination of the Professional Shogi Player Trainee System (Syorei Kai, in Japanese). (by Naohiro Sanada, chairman)

A Subsidy obtained, now for Realization of Dreams

We have received favorable replies from 2 foundations mentioned in the “Kakehashi” No. 19, namely, The Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges and The Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation. Both of them have agreed to bear a part of the costs. (by Naohiro Sanada, Chairman)

In my column, “ISPS – Dreams and Projects” of No. 16 of the Kakahashi, I wrote about a dream of sending a Shogi trainer abroad. I think that this year should be the year for its realization. (by Naohiro Sanada, Chairman)

A Project to materialize a “Dream

When we held the First Goodwill Shogi Matches in July, no definite plans for the 2nd Matches were arranged. My idea at that time was that if the 1st Matches were held successfully, the next one in the following year would somehow come to be realized. Hence, I paid full attention to holding the 1st one and tried to hold it by all means. Happily, the 1st Matches turned out to be a big success. (by Naohiro Sanada, chairman)

A Dream to hold the 2nd Matches in Beijing

In July 31, our plan to periodically hold Shogi matches between school children of Tokyo and Beijing materialized as planned. It is indeed a pleasure that we are able to report it to you in this current issue. (By Naohiro Sanada, chaiman)