Rikako Miyamoto set a Guinness World Record for ‘Flash anzan’ She correctly answers 15sets of 3-digit numbers in 1.61 seconds.

On February 18, 2024, a Guinness World Record(TM) attempt for "Flash Anzan" was held at the 72nd Nakano City SOROBAN Competition (Nakano ZERO, Nakano City). In Flash Anzan, numbers appear and disappear very quickly on a screen and the viewer imagines the soroban to perform the calculation. The challenge was given to those in the audience who had passed the Flash Anzan Test (sponsored by the Japan Flash Anzan Association) with a level of 10-dan or above. This time, the challenge question involved calculating 15sets 3-digit numbers in '1.61 seconds'. Rikako Miyamoto, who was in the audience, answered the question correctly. A Guinness World Record™ was set.

Ms. Riko Higashio, Honorary President of the Japan Flash Mnemonics Certification Association, presented the prize to Rikako Miyamoto.

'Flash Anzan' was developed by her father, Yuji Miyamoto, in 1978.This time, the challenge was held at the place where it was developed, in the middle of a SOROBAN Competition that has continued for 72 years.On the day of the competition, the record of 1.61 seconds (15 three-digit numbers) was set in the presence of ward mayor Naoto Sakai (Nakano CIty). After the record was set, an application was made to Guinness World Records Limited, which granted certification on 29 February 2024.

‘Flash Anzan’ is a method of performing calculations by visualizing a Soroban in the mind (Soroban-style mental arithmetic).The Soroban is the Japanese abacus. The soroban was adapted from the Chinese version of the abacus (the suanpan) in the 14th Century.Nowadays all Japanese children learn how to use the abacus in primary school（elementary school）as part of the curriculum and some children go to soroban clubs after school to continue learning. Anzan is a type of mental arithmetic. After much practice, soroban users no longer need the soroban to work out answers, because they can visualize it in their minds.Without learning how to calculate on the Soroban, it is almost impossible to calculate problems that are also Guinness World Records™.

‘Flash Anzan’ was first recognized by Guinness World Records™ in 2010 (record at the time: 1.83 seconds/15 three-digit numbers).When we applied for a Guinness World Record™ for 'Flash Anzan', it was difficult to get Guinness World Records Ltd, our head office in the UK, to understand 'Flash Anzan'.The first reaction was, "Is this a number-reading competition?" Or that it was impossible to do any calculations. In the context of a Guinness World Record™ application for 'Flash Anzan', it was necessary to explain Soroban(Japanese abacus) to the person in charge. They explained in detail the history of the Soroban, competitions and examinations, the development of Flash Anzan, and the test of the

programme, and were able to gain the understanding of the British officials.

It has been 14 years since flash Anzan was first recognized in the Guinness World Records™, reaching a speed of "1.61 seconds (15 three-digit numbers)".

There is a world of 'Athlete in a Soroban' where flash Anzan competitions take place. They continue to push the limits of human ability, competing for speed and accuracy. As athletes, they practice tens of thousands of times in order to break the record by 0.01 second. Those who try their hand at Flash Anzan are truly athletes.

In general, people use the same area of the brain as the language brain when doing calculations. Therefore, it is difficult to speak while calculating. However, They can talk while doing calculations.

they use their imagery brains when calculating.Thus,They can talk while doing calculations. They can train their imagery brains by practicing the Soroban. In the future, human calculation ability will continue to push the limits through Flash Anzan.

About Rikako Miyamoto.

Rikako Miyamoto learned the Soroban from the age of two at a Soroban school run by her parents (Miyamoto Anzan Kenkyu Juku Max). Currently, she teaches Soroban as a teacher at a Soroban school in Hachioji City . She is a first-class athlete and a teacher.

Guinness World Record(TM) holder: Rikako Miyamoto

Comment from Rikako Miyamoto

"It was my big goal: to set a Guinness World Record™ for Flash Anzan. 

Flash Anzan are over in an instant, but I can't count the hours of practice I have put in.

I am surrounded by supportive family, friends and competitors. Without their support, I don't think I could have achieved the Guinness World Record.

The most reassuring thing about the show was the support of my students. I was very happy to be able to show my students how cool I am and to give them a dream. My next goal is to train students to surpass my own record. I will work hard to break even more records."