OSAKA -- Shogi champion Yoshiharu Habu and Go master Yuta Iyama held talks at The Mainichi Newspapers Co.'s Osaka Head Office on Dec. 22, following an announcement that the government is considering giving them the People's Honor Award.

Habu, 47, became the first person ever to qualify as a lifetime holder of seven of Japan's major shogi titles by earning a Lifetime Ryuo qualification with his seventh Ryuo tournament victory earlier this month, while 28-year-old Iyama, who holds a ninth-dan rank as well as the honorary title Honinbo Monyu, has captured all seven major titles of Go for the second time. The government is expected to formally decide on the conferment on Dec. 26, according to a source close to the government.

Habu had just finished his game in the 76th Meijin match in Osaka the day before the talks with Iyama, a resident of the city. The match is sponsored by The Mainichi Newspapers and The Asahi Shimbun Co.

During the approximately one-hour conversation, Iyama said, "Mr. Habu has achieved the feat of becoming a lifetime holder of seven major titles precisely because he has constantly produced results. I feel the gravity of his accomplishments." In response, Habu commented, "For the roughly 20 years since I first took seven major titles, I've never had the chance to aim for another set of seven major titles. It is quite an accomplishment that you have recaptured them."

The two masters expressed their gratitude for the government going as far as to consider bestowing the highly prestigious award on them. "I'm grateful that the world of shogi has been recognized," Habu said. Iyama, meanwhile, stated, "I'm still on my way to where I should be, so I'm a bit overwhelmed (by the conferment under consideration)."

The award ceremony is likely to be held in February next year.