Tomomi Kai (甲斐 智美, Kai Tomomi, born May 30, 1983) is a retired Japanese women's professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 5-dan.[1] She is a former Women's Ōi [ja], Kurashiki Tōka Cup [ja], and Jo-Ō [ja] title holder.
In September 1998, Kai took a leave of absence from women's professional shogi to enter the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū. She remained in the apprentice school until August 2003 when she expressed her intention to return to women's professional play. She was awarded the rank of women's professional 1-dan upon reinstatement.[2]
Kai has appeared in major title matches 14 times and has won a total of 7 titles. She has won the Women's Ōi [ja] title four times (2010–11, 2013–14), the Kurashiki Tōka Cup [ja] title twice (2013–14), and the Jo-Ō [ja] title once (2010).[4] In addition to major titles, Kai has won two other shogi championships: the 11th Women's Kashima Cup Shogi Tournament [ja] in 2006 and the 1st Daiwa Securities Cup Women's Internet Tournament [ja] in 2007.[5]
Kai has received the following Japan Shogi Association Annual Shogi Awards: "Women's Professional Award" in 2010 and 2013, and "Women's Professional of the Year" in 2014.[6]
The Japan Shogi Association announced on March 7, 2023, on its official website that Kai was going to retire from women's professional shogi for personal reasons once she completed her current schedule of official games.[7] Kai's retirement became official on July 3, 2023.[8] Kai finished her career with a record of 360 wins and 221 losses for a winning percentage of 62 percent.[9]