On March 3rd, the Japan Go Association officially announced that the Women's Meijin Tournament, also known as the Hakata Kamachi Cup, will be suspended after its 37th term this year. The organization cited 'various circumstances' as the reason for this decision. This comes as a significant change in the women's Go scene, as it follows the earlier news in February about the conclusion of the Women's Aizu Central Hospital Cup, leading to a decrease in major domestic titles from five to three. Currently, the remaining women's prestigious titles include the Women's Honinbo Tournament, Women's Kisei Tournament, and the Oki Kisei Women's Go Championship.

The 37th Women's Meijin Tournament is still set to take place in April, where the defending champion, Aisaka Ueno, will compete against challenger Rina Fujisawa in a best-of-three match format. The dynamics of the tournament and its participants are critical for women's visibility and success in the traditionally male-dominated game of Go.

The suspension of this tournament raises concerns about the future of women's Go competitions in Japan and the support available for female players. With ongoing discussions around inclusivity in sports and particularly women's representation in competitive settings, this development highlights the challenges faced in maintaining and growing women's titles in Go, a game that has seen declining numbers in both participants and sponsorships, underscoring a need for renewed attention and investment in the women's sector. Overall, the current state raises questions about the sustainability of female Go tournaments amidst broader issues in competitive sports regarding gender parity.