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Women’s Meijin Series Turning Point: Tomoka Nishiyama Takes the 52nd Jooryu Meijin Title

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By Galo S Mirth

Tomoka Nishiyama won the Universal Cup 52nd Jooryu Meijin best-of-five and took the title from Kana Fukuma in February 2026. The official match table on the Japan Shogi Association side records a 3-0 result for Nishiyama, with wins in Games 1, 2, and 3, so the series ended before Games 4 and 5.

Tomoka Nishiyama, professional women shogi player
Tomoka Nishiyama. Source: Wikimedia Commons, File:Female_SHOGI_Professional_Tomoka_Nishiyama.jpg. Author: Pooh456. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Match result and scoreline context

The official 52nd Jooryu Meijin page lists Kana Fukuma (defending Jooryu Meijin) against Tomoka Nishiyama (Jooryu Nikan), and marks three straight white-circle wins for Nishiyama. The same table marks the title outcome as 奪取, confirming a title transfer.

Game-by-game timeline and the Game 3 inflection

The posted schedule shows Game 1 on January 18 in Izumo, Game 2 on January 30 at Kansai Shogi Kaikan in Takatsuki, and Game 3 on February 8 in Noda at Sekine Meijin Memorial Hall. Because Nishiyama had already won Games 1 and 2, Game 3 became the immediate clincher, and the official JSA news item for that day reported Nishiyama’s victory.

What this means for the 2026 women’s title map

The result matters beyond one trophy. Nishiyama’s win reshapes the top of the women’s title landscape by moving the Jooryu Meijin title away from Fukuma and strengthening Nishiyama’s position in multi-title discussions for 2026. It also sets up a fresh competitive arc for any future rematch between the two.

Reactions and next storylines to watch

Immediate discussion has focused on momentum and rivalry direction. The practical next storyline is how both players perform in their other active title and major-event commitments after this transfer, and whether a new direct title showdown emerges later in the year.

Sources (Japanese)

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