Hiroshi Tanahashi, Takaaki Kidani issue statements on NJPW ownership change
NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi has issued a statement assuring fans that the promotion remains committed to its mission of delivering the best wrestling possible.
News broke early Wednesday morning that ownership of NJPW has changed hands with Bushiroad transferring all of its shares to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. In a statement posted to NJPW’s Japanese website, Tanahashi expressed his gratitude for the support Bushiroad has given during its 14 years leading the promotion. NJPW hopes to achieve significant growth under its new owners while continuing to deliver the product fans expect.
- To all New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans and everyone who has supported and assisted us,
- We are pleased to announce that Bushiroad Co., Ltd. will be transferring its shares in our company to TV Asahi Corporation and CyberAgent, Inc. Bushiroad became our parent company in 2012, and through various forms of support — including large-scale advertising campaigns — it has enabled New Japan Pro-Wrestling to achieve significant growth. We are deeply grateful.
- To repay this kindness, we will now strive as a consolidated subsidiary of TV Asahi, with the support of CyberAgent, to achieve significant growth for New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a united company. Our mission to create the best possible wrestling and provide entertainment for all of you remains unchanged. We sincerely ask for your continued support and encouragement.
Takaaki Kidani statement —
Takaaki Kidani, a wrestling fan and the founder of Bushiroad, put out his own statement reflecting on the time he spent overseeing NJPW. He called the ownership change a positive step, with TV Asahi and CyberAgent able to maximize NJPW’s video assets and advance its digital media operations.
- Thank you very much for your continued support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
- Today, we have decided to transfer all of our shares in New Japan Pro-Wrestling to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. We realize this announcement may come as a surprise to many of our fans.
- In 2012, at a major turning point when New Japan Pro-Wrestling was aiming for its next phase of growth, we had the privilege of welcoming the company into our group. Over the past 14 years, believing in the power of pro-wrestling as a wonderful form of entertainment, we have worked tirelessly alongside all of you to bring its appeal to an even wider audience.
- Thanks to these efforts, at the Tokyo Dome event on January 4 of this year, we recorded an attendance of 46,913, achieving a sold-out crowd for the first time in 28 years. Having overcome the challenge of generational transition, young stars in their 20s and 30s are now rising one after another, shining brilliantly in the ring. As Bushiroad, it is a great source of pride in my life to have witnessed New Japan Pro-Wrestling grow so powerfully and to be able to pass the baton to the next generation.
- However, for New Japan Pro-Wrestling to make even greater strides globally and continue its golden age, it is essential to maximize the use of our accumulated video assets and evolve into a diversified revenue-generating business centered on a powerful streaming platform.
- Therefore, I am convinced that the best course of action is to entrust the future to the very best possible owners: first, by returning the reins to TV Asahi, our partner since our founding who has consistently supported New Japan Pro-Wrestling through terrestrial broadcasts; and second, by welcoming CyberAgent as a partner to bring a breath of fresh air through cutting-edge digital media.
- To all our fans, and to the wrestlers and staff who have continued to support New Japan with their passionate battles, thank you so much for walking alongside Bushiroad all this time. Your passion and cheers have been our greatest driving force.
- Although [NJPW is] parting ways with Bushiroad, I can confidently say that the future of New Japan Pro-Wrestling is brighter than ever. As a passionate pro-wrestling fan myself, I will continue to cheer on the new golden age that you all will create.
- Thank you so much for the past 14 years. Please look forward to the future of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
NJPW ownership transfer —
Before this transfer, Bushiroad — a trading card company — owned 70 percent of NJPW and TV Asahi owned 22.7 percent. TV Asahi and CyberAgent now each own 46.3 percent. The promotion will operate as a “consolidated subsidiary” of TV Asahi while receiving support from CyberAgent.
TV Asahi is NJPW’s longtime broadcast partner and also owns a stake in the NJPW World streaming service. CyberAgent operates the streaming platform Abema and already owns Pro Wrestling NOAH, DDT Pro Wrestling, and Tokyo Joshi Pro through its subsidiary CyberFight.
The share transfer is valued at approximately 3.6 billion yen, which is roughly $22.6 million.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.