With participant players, the sponsor and media people present, the meeting was opened with Nippon Television's announcer Ms. Mika Takanishi as the master of ceremonies. First, Mr. Ichiro Yoshikuni, Tournament Adviser and Chairman of the Japan Pair Go Association, made an address on behalf of the organizers.

"We are pleased that this is already the ninth championship. Initially, we were afraid that we could not obtain pro players' approval and understanding of the idea of Go games played by pair players. However, it turned out to be a groundless concern. To our delight, this championship has been favorably received by pro players as well as ordinary Go fans. There were no other Go events in the past in which as many as 32 pro players gathered together at one time to play games. Scenes of so many pro players playing Go games at a certain place is spectacular. Pair Go is becoming increasingly popular abroad as well as in Japan. In foreign countries, pair Go is easily acceptable because it is a basic rule that men and women enjoy playing games together, as in the game of bridge."

Next, Mr. Hiroshi Hamada, Chairman of the Ricoh Cup Championship and Chairman of the sponsor, Ricoh Co., Ltd., stood up to make an address. He cheered the participants by saying, "I hope there will be strong pairs which can boost the tournament mood by preventing last year's champion from winning two consecutive championships."