Tomoka Nishiyama becomes first woman eligible for shogi's main pro ranks

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  Tomoka Nishiyama became the first woman eligible to join shogi’s main professional ranks on Oct. 10, 2026.

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  She qualified by winning her fifth Hakurei title, the most prestigious championship in women’s professional shogi.

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  Nishiyama defeated Kana Fukuma 4-1 in a best-of-seven series, winning Game 5 in Kanazawa.

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  She has not said whether she will use her right to join the main ranks.

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  Women’s players and main professional players have separate systems in shogi.

Who

Tomoka Nishiyama, a 31-year-old shogi player.

What

She became the first woman eligible to join shogi’s main professional ranks after winning her fifth Hakurei title.

When

Oct. 10, 2026.

Where

Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

Why

A rule introduced by the Japan Shogi Association allows a female professional player to qualify for the main ranks by winning the Hakurei title five times.

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