In the intellectual game of Japanese-style Mahjong, Prof Hirata finished 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd, 2^nd, 4^th, 1^st, 1^st, 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th and was the sole overall winner, leaving all the other players with negative scores.

The above figure shows a characteristic winning hand of Prof Hirata: Richi Ippatsu Pinfu Ikkitsukan Chankan (立直・一発・平和・一気通貫・槍槓).