Akihiro Murata

Akihiro Murata (村田 顕弘) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 6-dan.

Early life and apprentice professional
Murata was born on July 14, 1986, in Uozu, Toyama. He learned how to play shogi when he was about five years old from his father. In 1998, Murata took the entrance exam for the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school, but failed; he tried again the following year and was accepted at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of shogi professional Shōdō Nakada.

Murata was promoted to the rank of 3-dan in 2004 at the age of eighteen, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan three years later after winning the 41st 3-dan League with a record of 15 wins and 3 losses.

Promotion history
Murata's promotion history is as follows:
 * 6-kyū: September 1999
 * 4-dan: October 1, 2007
 * 5-dan: March 6, 2012
 * 6-dan: November 7, 2017