Tomoka Nishiyama to decide on exercising rights to become first female professional shogi player

Tomoka Nishiyama, a 31-year-old four-crown female shogi player, is scheduled to hold a press conference to announce whether she will exercise her right to become a professional shogi player (kishi). Having won the Hakurei title—the highest rank in women's shogi—a total of five times, Nishiyama has met the criteria to qualify for professional status under a new regulation established by the Japan Shogi Association.

The new rule, passed by a majority at the association's 2025 general meeting, allows players to bypass the traditional route of the Shoreikai training academy or specific entrance exams if they achieve five Hakurei titles. This marks a significant shift in the sport's structure, as professional kishi and female-only female players (joryu kishi) have historically operated under different systems.

If Nishiyama chooses to exercise this right, the first female professional shogi player could officially join the ranks in April next year. The move is expected to influence the growth of the sport and provide a new pathway for female players, following similar structural developments seen in the game of Go.