Maki Kaji was the president of Nikoli Co., Ltd., a puzzle company based in Japan. He is known as “the father of Sudoku” for popularizing the number game. Kaji has created or popularized a number of additional puzzle games, including Masyu.
Together with two childhood friends, Kaji founded Nikoli, a quarterly puzzle magazine, in 1980. He started a corporation with the same name three years later.
Sudoku, a number puzzle game, first appeared in early editions of Nikoli. While rushing to get to a horse racing, he came up with the name “Sudoku.” At the request of his coworkers, he changed it from Suuji wa dokushin ni kagiru (“numbers should be single”).
“Godfather of Sudoku” Maki Kaji passed away, Cause of the death
Maki Kaji, the “Godfather of Sudoku,” died on Aug. 10 at his home in Tokyo. He was a university dropout who converted a numbers game into one of the world’s most popular logic puzzles. He was 69 years old at the time.
Nikoli, the puzzle company he co-founded, announced his death on Tuesday. The cause, according to the business, was bile duct cancer.
Mr. Kaji remarked in a speech in 2008 that he originally “fell in love” with the game Number Place in 1984. Sudoku was the new name he gave it.
He explained, “I wanted to make a Japanese name.” “It took me approximately 25 seconds to come up with the name.” He was in a hurry to get to a horse racing, so that was the reason. He admitted that he had not expected the name to catch on.
On Monday, his company, Nikoli, wrote on its website, “Known as the Godfather of Sudoku, he was adored by puzzle fans around the world and we would like to extend our gratitude to all of you.”
Maki Kaji Age, Date of Birth, Birthday, Family, what about his father, mother, where is he from? Early life
Maki Kaji was born on 8 October, 1951 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. So, he was 69 years old at the time of his death. He died on 10 August 2021 due to bile duct cancer. As per his date of birth, he was a Libra. He was a Japanese citizen.
Speaking of his family background, the names of his parents are still unknown. However, it is known that his father worked as an engineer for a telecommunications business, and his mother worked at a kimono store.
After working as a roadie, a waiter, and a construction worker, he decided to start his own publishing company.
Maki Kaji Wife, His Relationship, Any Children?
Kaji was married to his wife, Naomi until his death. They were blessed with two children. His older daughter works at a bookshop, while his younger daughter designs jewelry and clothing.
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He was only friends with his wife Naomi at first, according to an interview he gave to a Malaysian news site in 2011. He once passed out from a nasty stomach ache when they were hanging out together. When the puzzle-maker, who was 23 at the time, awoke in a hospital, he learned how worried Naomi had been during the incident. This gave him the courage to go after her.
They married two years later and had two daughters together. The interview also stated that Kaji’s three females do not play Sudoku.
Maki Kaji Net worth, How much did he earn?
As per some online sources, the estimated Net Worth of Maki Kaji is between $10 Million to $15 Million USD.
So, we must say that he had earned a hefty amount of money from his long-time career. He must have lived a comfortable and luxurious life.
Where he attended his High school and University? What was his major?
Kaji attended Shakujii High School in his hometown. He was a University Drop out student. He went on to Keio University to study literature but was left out after his first year.
Maki Kaji Career, What is his profession?
After working as a roadie, a waiter, and a construction worker, he decided to start his own publishing company.
Together with two childhood friends, Kaji founded Nikoli, a quarterly puzzle magazine, in 1980. They called the publication after a racehorse that won the 2000 Guineas Stakes in Ireland in 1980. He started a corporation with the same name three years later. The company’s principal product, the magazine, increased to 50,000 readers quarterly.
Sudoku, a number puzzle game, first appeared in early editions of Nikoli. In 1984, he came across the puzzle under the title “Number Place,” which caught his curiosity. While rushing to get to a horse racing, he came up with the name “Sudoku.” On the advice of his coworkers, he changed it from Suuji wa dokushin ni kagiru (“numbers should be single”).
The game became extremely popular after it was introduced to the United Kingdom and the United States.
Kaji has created or popularized a number of additional puzzle games, including Masyu.
In July 2021, one month before his death, he resigned as Nikoli’s CEO.
Maki Kaji Social Media Reach
Maki Kaji was not active on any social media. We searched him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. However, we couldn’t get our hands on them.
Maki Kaji FAQ’s
Maki Kaji was the president of Nikoli Co., Ltd., a puzzle company based in Japan. He is known as “the father of Sudoku” for popularizing the number game. Kaji has created or popularized a number of additional puzzle games, including Masyu.
Maki Kaji was born on 8 October, 1951 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. So, he was 69 years old at the time of his death. He died on 10 August 2021 due to bile duct cancer. As per his date of birth, he was a Libra.
Maki Kaji, the “Godfather of Sudoku,” died on Aug. 10 at his home in Tokyo. He was a university dropout who converted a numbers game into one of the world’s most popular logic puzzles. He was 69 years old at the time.
Nikoli, the puzzle company he co-founded, announced his death on Tuesday. The cause, according to the business, was bile duct cancer.
Kaji was married to his wife, Naomi until his death. They were blessed with two children. His older daughter works at a bookshop, while his younger daughter designs jewelry and clothing.
As per some online sources, the estimated Net Worth of Maki Kaji is between $10 Million to $15 Million USD. So, we must say that he had earned a hefty amount of money from his long-time career. He must have lived a comfortable and luxurious life.
Maki Kaji’s Body Appearance Height, Weight in 2021
| Height | Not Available |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Hair | Grey |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Interesting facts about Maki Kaji which you should be known
| Nationality | Japenese |
| Ethnicity | Not known |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Net Worth | $10 Million to $15 Million USD |
| Single/ In a relationship | Married |
| Current Girlfriend/ Spouse | Naomi |
| Children | 2 |
