♟️ How much does a shogi player make in Japan?
U.S.: most hobby players earn $0; no published pro average or top. Japan: a press estimate says pros average about ¥8M; Sota Fujii earned ¥213.61M in 2025 from prizes and game fees.
Wins and titles change prize and game-fee income sharply; some pros also earn from teaching, events, media, or ads.
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Most amateur shogi players | $0 | Unpaid amateur play; professional earnings are distinct. |
| Reported average for professional players (rough press estimate) | $53,333 | Weekly Woman PRIME estimate; not government data. |
| Top professional in 2025 (prizes and game fees) Sota Fujii (¥213.61M in 2025) | $1.42M | Japan Shogi Association 2025 ranking. |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Most amateur shogi players | $0 | $0 |
| Reported average for professional players (rough press estimate) | $4,444 | $146 |
| Top professional in 2025 (prizes and game fees) | $118,672 | $3,902 |
Where does the money come from?
- Prizes and game fees: Game fees and prize money from official matches are the main sources of income. Source
- Teaching and events: Some players earn extra income by teaching, judging tournaments, or explaining games. Source
- Advertising: Some well-known players also earn income through company advertising deals. Source
What famous shogi players make
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Sota Fujii Professional shogi player | $1.42M (2025 · prize money) Sota Fujii took home about ¥213.61 million in prize money and game fees in 2025, the first total above ¥200 million since records began in 1989. |
| Takuya Nagase | $305,133 (2025) Estimate 2025 prize money and game fees, ranked 2nd (Source) |
| Yuki Sasaki | $275,533 (2025) Estimate 2025 prize money and game fees, ranked 3rd (Source) |
How do you become a shogi player?
In Japan, build your skill at shogi clubs and tournaments, then ask a professional to recommend you. Pass the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice-school exam by age 19 and rise from 6-kyu to 3-dan. Place in the league's top two to earn 4-dan and become a pro.
- Build skill at shogi clubs and tournaments
- Ask a professional player to recommend you as a student
- Pass the apprentice school entrance exam by age 19
- Place in the top two of the 3-dan league and become 4-dan
Qualifications and exams
For the 2026 class-level exam, applicants must be 19 or younger and recommended by a 4-dan-or-higher pro. The top two in the 3-dan league become 4-dan pros.
A day as a shogi player
On a game day in Japan, play usually starts at 10 a.m.; each player studies the board and chooses moves carefully. Some title matches last two days. On other days, players study and practice, and some teach at shogi classes or events.
Common questions
How much did the second-ranked player earn in 2025?
Takuya Nagase ranked second in Japan’s 2025 prize-money and game-fee ranking, with ¥45.77 million. Source
Can players earn money outside of matches?
Yes. Some players earn extra income by giving lessons, judging shogi tournaments, or explaining games. Source
Can advertising deals bring in money?
Yes. Some popular players have company advertising deals, though this is not a source of income for every player. Source
When can a player earn tournament prize money?
Players can earn prizes by advancing or winning in tournaments. A report said the Kisei title’s winner prize increased in 2025. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
In the US
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Most U.S. shogi players (hobbyists) | $0 | The U.S. federation describes an enthusiast and tournament community; no pro-pay figure is published. |
Related questions
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Data table and sources
- www.shogi.or.jp/news/2026/02/202510.html
- www.jprime.jp/articles/-/28253?display=b
- www.us-shogi.org/about-us-and-mission
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou_b.html
- www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003426315
- 10mtv.jp/pc/column/article.php?column_article_id=1201
- www.shogi.or.jp/news/view.php?id=20260701-002
- www.shogi.or.jp/match/shoreikai/provision.php
- www.shogi.or.jp/youth/shoureikai
- www.shogi.or.jp/faq/provisions/
This job is not covered directly by government wage statistics, so the figures come from leagues, associations, surveys and the press.
- Sota Fujii's 2025 winnings, the top of the ranking. Far ahead of 2nd place's 45.77 million yen. (Japan Shogi Association (via Nikkei))
- The 10th-place player's 2025 winnings. Even in the top 10, there's a big gap from 1st place. (Japan Shogi Association (via Nikkei))