The Nihon Ki-in (日本棋院), also known as the Japan Go Association, is the main organizational body for Go in Japan, overseeing Japan's professional system and issuing diplomas for amateur dan rankings.
It is based in Tokyo. The other major Go association in Japan is Kansai Ki-in. Its innovations include the Oteai system of promotion, time limits in professional games, and the introduction of issuing diplomas to strong amateur players, to affirm their ranks.
Famous Go player:
Hideo Otake
(Japanese is 大竹 英雄 12, 1942 - )
Otake was born in Kitakyūshū City, Japan. He joined the legendary Kitani Minoru school when he was 9, and quickly rose up the ranks to turn professional in 1956, when he was 14. He progressed swiftly, achieving 9 dan in 1970. He did not have much patience, which could be seen as he would sometimes read comic books while he waited for his opponent to play.
He retired from professional Go in 2021 at the age of 79. His career win–loss record was 1319 wins, 846 losses, 5 draws (jigo), and 1 no-result
Masao Kato
(Japanese is 加藤 正夫 March 15, 1947 - December 30, 2004)
Masao Kato Honorary Oza, also known as Kato Kensei (加藤 剱正 Katō Kensei), was a Japanese professional go player. A late bloomer, Kato won 46 titles, including the Oza eight times in a row. He also became the second player to reach 1,200 career wins, behind Rin Kaiho.
Kato is the author of The Chinese Opening: The Sure-Win Strategy (published in English by Kiseido Publishing Company) and Kato's Attack and Kill (published by Ishi Press).
Masaki Takemiya
(Japanese is 武宮 正樹 January 1, 1952 - )
Masaki Takemiya was born in Japan. He became one of the many disciples of the Minoru Kitani school. His rise to fame began when he was only 15 years old. He earned the nickname "9 dan killer" because he won several games against top rated players. His famous "cosmic style" of Go would become popular among fans. It focused on large moyo in the center of the board. He's known as keeping a consistent record of winning titles. The longest period in which he did not hold a title has only been 4 years. He closed off 2005 with an impressive win of 16 straight games, which was stopped by Omori Yasushi in the qualifiers for the 3rd World Oza.
Outside of Go, Takemiya also won the biggest Japanese backgammon tournament, the 12th Saint of the Board title, by beating the former holder, Abe Akiko.
Four of Takemiya's books have been published in English -- Enclosure Joseki (Kiseido Press), now out of print; Imagination of a Go Master (NEMESIS Enterprises), This is Go the Natural Way! (Hinoki Press); and Cosmic Go (Board N' Stones).
Koichi Kobayashi
(Japanese is 小林 光一 September 10, 1952 - )
Koichi Kobayashi was born in Asahikawa, Japan. In 1965, he came to Tokyo to be a disciple of Minoru Kitani. He studied along with Cho Chikun, Masao Kato, Yoshio Ishida, and Masaki Takemiya. He went on to marry the daughter of his teacher, Reiko Kitani (1939–1996), a 6-dan who has won the All-Japan Women's Championship several times. Together they had a daughter, Izumi Kobayashi, who is now one of the leading female Go players in Japan. Kobayashi is one of the few Go players who have won more than 1,200 professional games. Kobayashi's rivalry with Cho Chikun has continued for some time and they frequently play against each other.