The Japanese Shogi Federation has issued an apology following a protest by a female professional Shogi player, the famous Fujima Joshi. While specific details of the grievance remain unclear from the headline alone, such news featuring Japan's traditional board game often involve gender-related issues. This incident marks another step towards a more equal society within the sphere of this male-dominated sport.

In Japan, Shogi has predominantly been a man's game, with women struggling to break into the upper echelons of the profession. Gender discrimination in this field has often been mirrored in several other traditionally male-dominated areas. This incident has aroused wide interest and discussion among the public, implying the urging need for gender equality in all aspects of life.

In comparison to the US or EU, where such gender discrimination issues in sports and games (like chess) have been taken seriously and received significant media attention, Japan might be considered a bit late in addressing these issues. However, this incident suggests that Japan is gradually catching up on the urgency of gender equality measures in male-dominated fields.