NHK has announced that it will broadcast a memorial program, "There Was a Man Called Kato Hifumi," on Educational TV from 11:00 p.m. on January 31st in memory of shogi player Kato Hifumi, who passed away on January 22nd at the age of 86 due to pneumonia.
The legendary shogi player Hifumi Kato, affectionately known as "Hifumin," made his professional debut at the age of 14, the youngest at the time. Described as "a genius since Emperor Jimmu," he won numerous titles and remained an active shogi player until the age of 77.
The program, which first aired on July 1, 2017, follows the six months of battles leading up to Kato's final game as an active player, and uncovers the truth behind many of the "Hifumin legends" through testimonies from people from all walks of life who love Hifumin, including 9th dan player Yoshiharu Habu, who knows Kato well, Ryuo/Meijin player Sota Fujii, who played against him in his debut match, and others.
