日本プロレスリング連盟 | |
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Abbreviation | UJPW |
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Formation | December 15, 2023; 16 months ago (2023-12-15) |
Type | Nonprofit |
Legal status | General incorporated association |
Purpose | Supervision of domestic wrestling organizations |
Headquarters | New Japan Pro-Wrestling headquarters Sumitomo Nakanosakaue Bldg 1-38-1 Chuo, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan |
Membership | 15[1] |
Founding chairman | Seiji Sakaguchi |
See below | |
Key people |
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[2] |
United Japan Pro-Wrestling (Japanese:日本プロレスリング連盟,Hepburn:Nihon Puroresuringu Renmei) (also stylised asUnited Japan Pro-wrestling;UJPW), officially theGeneral Incorporated Association United Japan Pro-Wrestling (一般社団法人日本プロレスリング連盟,Ippan shadan hōjin Nihon Puroresuringu Renmei),[3] is an association of severalprofessional wrestling promotions in Japan, acting as an industry group in order to facilitate the sharing of resources and practices as well as strengthen connections to other sectors.
On April 15, 2020, due to the self-imposed restrictions of events in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic,Takaaki Kidani (owner ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) andStardom through his companyBushiroad) led a delegation of representatives from seven promotions[a] to send a formal request for compensation for business suspension to thenHouse of Representatives memberHiroshi Hase (an NJPW alumnus himself), theJapan Sports Agency, and theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry.[4][5] This led to the formation of the Cross-party Pro-Wrestling and Martial Arts Promotion Parliamentary Group[b] in the House of Representatives on November 19.[6]
Prompted by Hase's call to establish a unified commission of wrestling promotions and recognizing the necessity for collaboration between the government, local authorities, and the wrestling industry, an organization was formed by nine promotions owned by six companies. The United Japan Pro-Wrestling (UJPW) group was announced to be established on December 15, 2023. On May 6, 2024, a launching event was scheduled to be held at theNippon Budokan.[7] The inaugural chairman wasSeiji Sakaguchi, a former wrestler, president and current advisor of NJPW, and the secretary-general was Naoki Sugabayashi, the current chairman of NJPW.[8] While maintaining healthy competition among the industry, the organization aims to provide a space for exchanging opinions and information regarding common issues within the professional wrestling industry. By doing so, it intends to ensure the industry's image enhancement, foster sustainable development, and address shared challenges. UJPW also plans to welcome additional member promotions in the future.[9] UJPW's inaugural event, the 2024 edition ofAll Together, was held on May 6 and also served as a charity event to benefit the rebuilding of theNoto Peninsula following theJanuary 1 earthquake.[10]
On July 17, 2024, UJPW held a general meeting in Tokyo, whereKyushu Pro-Wrestling andWorld Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana were admitted into the association (as an observer member in the case of Diana).[11]
On January 20, 2025, it was announced that UJPW would restructure as a general incorporated association withSanshiro Takagi as itsrepresentative director, and Sugabayashi,Ryo Saito and Ryota Chikuzen as executive directors.[1][12]
Promotion | Trade name | Parent company |
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All Japan Pro Wrestling | All Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. | N/A |
Big Japan Pro Wrestling | Big Japan Pro Wrestling Kogyo Co., Ltd. | N/A |
DDT Pro-Wrestling | CyberFight Co., Ltd. | CyberFight |
Dragongate Japan Pro-Wrestling | Dragongate Co., Ltd. | N/A |
Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling | GanPro Entertainment Co., Ltd. | N/A |
Kyushu Pro-Wrestling | NPO Kyushu Pro-Wrestling[13] | N/A |
New Japan Pro-Wrestling | New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. | Bushiroad TV Asahi Amuse Inc. |
Pro Wrestling Noah | CyberFight Co., Ltd. | CyberFight |
Stardom | Stardom Co., Ltd. | New Japan Pro-Wrestling |
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling | CyberFight Co., Ltd. | CyberFight |
In addition,World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana is an observer member of the association.[14]
The current board of directors is composed as follows (as of January 2025[update]):[1]
Position | Name | Company and occupation |
---|---|---|
Representative director Daihyō riji 代表理事 | Sanshiro Takagi | Executive vice-president ofCyberFight[15] |
Executive directors Gyōmu shikkō riji 業務執行理事 | Naoki Sugabayashi | Chairman of board of directors ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling[16] |
Ryo Saito | Director ofDragongate Japan Pro-Wrestling[17] | |
Ryota Chikuzen | Chief director ofKyushu Pro-Wrestling[13] | |
Directors Riji 理事 | Tsuyoki Fukuda | President and CEO ofAll Japan Pro Wrestling[18] |
Yasuo Okamoto | President and CEO ofCyberFight[15] | |
Narihiro Takeda | Director ofCyberFight[15] | |
Eiji Tosaka | President and CEO ofBig Japan Pro Wrestling[19] | |
Michiyoshi Mishima | President and CEO ofGanbare☆Pro-Wrestling | |
Takaaki Kidani | President and CEO ofBushiroad[20] | |
Hiroshi Tanahashi | President and CEO ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling[16] | |
Taro Okada | President and CEO ofStardom[21] | |
Jinji Matsumoto | Executive vice-president ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling[16] | |
Yukito Nagaoka | Associate attorney atTMI Associates[22] | |
Auditor Kanji 監事 | Shinya Yamada | President of Entertainment Culture Tax Corporation[23] Certified Public Accountant and external auditor ofBushiroad[20] |