[Discover 21 Inc.] “Still Fighting in My Fifties: The Decline, Loneliness, and Passion of a Shogi Player,” written by an Asahi Shimbun shogi journalist and chronicling the life of professional shogi player Kazuki Kimura in his fifties, is now on sale.
Discover 21 Inc. Press Release: October 25, 2025 “Fifties, Still Fighting: The Decline, Loneliness, and Passion of a Shogi Player,” written by a shogi reporter for the Asahi Shimbun, chronicles the journey of professional shogi player Kimura Kazuki in his fifties. Discover 21 Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Naomi Taniguchi) published “In My 50s, Still Fighting: The Decline, Loneliness, and Passion of a Shogi Player” (by Shinya Murase and Kazuki Kimura) on October 24, 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/18193/1487/18193-1487-325342755b217582944f4a519c9d5bf3-967×600.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/18193/1487/18193-1487-c3240cd1af4331f36fa0eb7b06ef02c9-965×600.jpg In 2019, Kimura became the oldest player in history to win his first title at age 46. However, the following year, he lost the title to Sota Fujii, who was a third-year high school student at the time, losing 0-4. Five years later, now in his 50s, Kimura speaks in this book: “My memory and reading ability are declining. It’s so awful to realize I’m getting stupider.” “There may be some areas of decline, but I don’t think the progress is enough to keep up with the overall rate of progress.” “I shouldn’t have said it was okay to close the curtains. I should have just waited patiently for Fujii (Souta) to burn and dry up.” “I used to think (Nagase) was a strong person, but now I feel something close to admiration for him.” “It’s really fun to do. When my research comes in handy and I win, I feel like it was worth it, and night battles are like fighting people my own age, which is really exciting. I want to continue this lifestyle for as long as possible.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/18193/1487/18193-1487-dffc662c9fe871301dd1471baaeadabf-969×600.jpg ■ To those struggling and fighting in these uncertain times Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/18193/1487/18193-1487-29792cbc9955ed67fad777376c03751f-969×600.jpg In the world of shogi, where young geniuses thrive, he faces declining intelligence and stamina, advancing AI, changing trends, and the resulting anxiety and impatience. The struggles he faces likely overlap with those faced by many middle-aged and older working people. This book is for those who, in these uncertain times, face their own downward spiral, struggle, resist, but grit their teeth and say, “I have no choice but to do it.” Whether you’re a shogi fan or not, reading this book will give you the courage to fight again tomorrow! ◎Book overview [Author information] Murase Shinya Shogi reporter for the Asahi Shimbun Born in 1980 in Tokyo. He served as captain of the Waseda University Shogi Club and made it to the top 16 in the 2000 Student Meijin Tournament. He joined the Asahi Shimbun in 2003. He was transferred to the Culture Group (now the Culture Department) in 2008 and has been in charge of shogi exclusively since 2011. After working in the Osaka Life and Culture Department and elsewhere, he has been in charge of shogi and art as deputy director of the Culture Department since 2025. His books include “A Shogi Journalist Approaches the Competitive Philosophy of Shogi Players” (Gentosha). Individual X @murase_yodan Kazuki Kimura Shogi Player Born in 1973. Originally from Yotsukaido City, Chiba Prefecture, he serves as the city’s PR ambassador. In 1985, he joined the Shogi training institute
“Shourikai” under Honorary 9th Dan Yuji Sase. After struggling in the difficult “3rd Dan League,” he turned professional in 1997. He was a late bloomer, at 23 years and 9 months old. In 2007, he was promoted to the A-class ranking tournament for the first time, where players compete for the right to challenge for the Meijin title. In 2011, he won his first championship in the Asahi Cup Shogi Open, an open tournament for all players. In 2019, he returned to the A-class for the first time in nine years. That September, in his seventh title challenge, he came back from two straight losses to win the 60th O-i title match. At 46 years and three months old, he became the oldest player to win his first title. His motto is “Unyielding,” meaning to never waver in your beliefs, no matter how many times you fail. [Book information]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/18193/1487/18193-1487-689c14920c0120e1805548d561c06328-1489×2371.jpg Title: “In my 50s, I still keep fighting: The decline, loneliness, and passion of a shogi player” Release Date: October 24, 2025 : Discover 21 Specifications: Paperback/192 pages
ISBN:978-4799332122 [Click here to purchase this book] Amazon https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4799332120/d21_rs_pr-22
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