Japanese chess player calls out association's pregnancy bias

A prominent shogi player says current rules force players to choose between their children and careers.

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Under the current rules of shogi - a game similar to chess - such players are replaced, meaning they forfeit all competitions and potential titles during that time.

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".

"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.

Current rules stipulate that a pregnant women cannot compete within a 14-week period - from six weeks before they give birth, to eight weeks after.