Japanese chess player calls out association's pregnancy biasA prominent shogi player says the league's rule forces players to choose between their children and careers"I hope the body will consider allowing female players to take time off before their due dates without suffering demotion," she told a news conference on Wednesday. Kana Fukuma, one of Japan's most decorated shogi players, says this forces players to choose between having a child and developing their careers, and "significantly restricts reproductive rights". A Japanese chess association has apologised to a prominent shogi player who criticised a rule that bars pregnant players from title matches around their expected due dates. Before giving birth to her first child in December 2024, however, Ms Fukuma was forced to withdraw from several tournaments due to health issues related to her pregnancy. This exchange between Ms Fukuma and the shogi association drew mixed responses on social media, with some calling the current rules "misogynistic" and others drawing comparisons to professional sports tournaments.