 She petitioned the JSA, with shogi professional as her sponsor, to be allowed to complete as a women's professional and was awarded the rank of 2-kyū and full professional status based upon her prior performance in the 2013 and 2014 Women's Oza tournaments.Ishimoto defeated Kanna Suzuki in the finals of the 3rd in August 2017 to win her first tournament as a professional.She advanced to the finals of the same tournament the following year, but was unsuccessful in her attempt to repeat as tournament champion, losing to .