The NEC Cup was a Go competition used by the Japanese Nihon-Kiin. Unlike the big three titles in Japan, the NEC Cup is a single knockout tournament where players have less time to think. The field of challengers was 16. The challengers were invited depending on who were the holders of Kisei, Meijin, Honinbo, Judan, Tengen, Oza, Gosei, NHK Cup, JAL Super Hayago Championship, NEC Shun-Ei and the top finishers from the last NEC Cup. The winner was awarded with 15,000,000 Yen ($130,000).
