Tomoka Nishiyama earns first women's qualification for unrestricted shogi ranks
In short
Tomoka Nishiyama (西山朋佳) became the first woman to qualify for shogi's unrestricted professional ranks after winning her fifth Hakurei title on 10 October in Kanazawa. She has deferred a decision on whether to exercise that right.
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Tomoka Nishiyama (西山朋佳), 31, became the first woman to earn qualification for shogi's unrestricted professional ranks after retaining the Hakurei title in Kanazawa on 10 October. She defeated challenger Kana Fukuma (福間香奈), 34, in the fifth game of the best-of-seven series, winning the match 4-1 and securing her fifth Hakurei title, Japanese outlets reported. [ 14 , 16 , 18 ]
Nishiyama won after 118 moves while playing second, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Jiji Press reported. Asked after the game whether she would exercise the qualification, she said she was not in a position to give an immediate answer. Mainichi Shimbun reported that she wanted to hear the views of people who had supported her and her family, and decide through discussion. [ 4 , 14 , 18 ]
Shogi has separate professional systems: the unrestricted ranks, open to men and women, and the women's ranks. No woman has yet entered the unrestricted ranks, Nikkei reported. The Japan Shogi Association introduced a rule in 2025 granting qualification after five Hakurei titles, making Nishiyama its first qualifying player. She must apply within two weeks if she wants to use the right. If she does, she would enter at fourth dan on 1 April 2027 and could compete in both unrestricted and women's events. [ 16 ]
Nishiyama previously sought to qualify through the Shoreikai training organisation, reaching its highest rank of third dan before leaving in 2021 to become a women's professional, Nikkei reported. She also attempted the professional admission examination in 2024-25, but finished with two wins and three losses against five new professionals, short of the three wins needed. Jiji Press reported that she now planned to consult those around her before deciding whether to use the new route. [ 16 , 18 ]
Why it matters
A Japan Shogi Association rule introduced in 2025 grants qualification after five Hakurei titles. If Nishiyama exercises the right, she would become the first woman in the unrestricted professional ranks on 1 April 2027, Nikkei reported.
Key facts
- Nishiyama beat Kana Fukuma (福間香奈) in the fifth game to retain the title 4-1. [ 14 , 16 , 18 ]
- Her fifth Hakurei title made her the first woman to earn the qualification. [ 8 , 14 , 16 , 18 ]
- She must apply within two weeks if she wishes to exercise the right. [ 14 , 16 ]
- She deferred her decision after the game. [ 4 , 14 , 16 , 18 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Nishiyama will exercise her right to join the unrestricted professional ranks. She said she could not give an immediate answer and would consult others before deciding.