Editorial: First female kishi marks new era for Japanese shogi

The history of Japanese shogi has been changed with the introduction of the first female shogi player, Tomoka Nishiyama. Nishiyama, a holder of the Hakurei title and a professional shogi player, will make her debut as a kishi, or professional shogi player, under the new gender-neutral ranking system. Nishiyama qualified for the position by winning the Hakurei title five times throughout her career. She announced her intention to become a kishi and will commence competing next April.

The new system allows women to become kishi based on their performance in women's tournaments. Previously, there were only two routes to becoming a kishi: joining the Shoreikai, a professional training organization, or passing the professional admission test. No woman had previously achieved either of these milestones. Nishiyama and Kana Fukuma, the holder of the Joo (Queen) title, have been among Japan's top women shogi players. Despite their efforts, neither managed to reach the status of kishi.

The Japan Shogi Association faced criticism from some male professional players who opposed the introduction of a promotion system exclusively for women. Social media was flooded with abusive and defamatory comments, leading the association to call for an end to such attacks. Nishiyama, however, demonstrated her capability and desire to compete against stronger players. She noted her aspiration to play at a higher level in a news conference.

The decision to become a kishi reflects Nishiyama's desire to compete at a higher level and the potential for the sport to benefit from her participation. The relatively small number of women playing shogi compared to men may be a contributing factor in the absence of female kishi. Nishiyama's presence in the male-dominated professional shogi field could inspire more girls to aspire to become kishi and contribute to raising the overall standard of play.

However, Nishiyama's schedule may become demanding due to her participation in both kishi and women's professional tournaments. The Japan Shogi Association intends to address this issue by adjusting the number of games and the schedule. Additionally, creating rules concerning pregnancy and childbirth will be crucial to ensure an environment where women can fully showcase their abilities in this traditional sport.