Cho Chikun
The preliminary tournament started on 5 August 2010. Takao Shinji, Cho U, Yuki Satoshi, Sakai Hideyuki, Mizokami Tomochika, and Cho Chikun retained their places in the league from the 35th Meijin. These players were joined by the winners of the preliminary tournament: Yamashita Keigo, Hane Naoki, and Rin Kanketsu.