WMasataka Gōda is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a former major title holder, having won the Ōi, Kisei, Kiō and Ōshō titles throughout his career.
WYoshiharu Habu is a professional shogi player and a chess FIDE Master. His master is Tatsuya Futakami. He is the only person to simultaneously hold seven major professional shogi titles at the same time and is also the only person to qualify as a lifetime title holder for seven major titles. In January 2018, Habu became the first professional shogi player to be awarded Japan's People's Honour Award.
WHifumi Katō is a retired Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan.
WKiyozumi Kiriyama is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Kisei and Kiō major title holder as well as a former director of the Japan Shogi Association. As of December 2020, Kiriyama is the oldest active professional shogi player.
WToshiaki Kubo is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Ōshō and Kiō title holder.
WToshiyuki Moriuchi is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a Lifetime Meijin who won the title eight times, and also a former Ryūō, Kiō and Ōshō title holder. He is also a former senior managing director of the Japan Shogi Association.
WYasumitsu Satō is a Japanese professional shogi player from Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. He is currently the president of the Japan Shogi Association. He became a professional in 1987 and is ranked 9-dan. He has won 13 major titles, is a former Meijin title holder, and has qualified for the Lifetime Kisei title.
WKōji Tanigawa is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the 17th Lifetime Meijin and also a former president of the Japan Shogi Association (JSA).
WAkira Watanabe is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the current holder of the Meijin, Kiō and Ōshō titles. He is also a Lifetime Kiō and a Lifetime Ryūō title holder.