From: Sam Sloan <sloan <at> ISHIPRESS <dot> COM>
Date: 14 may 2000
Subject: Is there any news about Hayashiba Naoko?

It is to be recalled that about two years ago Hayashiba Naoko, the famous
shogi player, was involved in a scandal and, for that reason, fled Japan
and went into hiding in the far, far away place of New York City.

Is she still in hiding there? Has there been any news of her ever since?

Is it likely that Hayashiba Naoko will show up and contest the World Shogi
Championship which is being held in New York next week?

My girlfriend Kayo says that Hayashiba Naoko, the famous shogi player, has
written an erotic novel but she has not seen it and wonders if it is really
true.

Sam Sloan