Hiroshi Tanahashi Named as New President & Representative Director of NJPW

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced on Friday evening that they have officially named Hiroshi Tanahashi as their new President and Representative Director effective of December 23rd.

It was announced that the company held a Board of Directors meeting with shareholders on Friday to announced that changes were being made to their upper management.

These changes were stated to involve current President and Representative Director Takami Ohbari and Director Michiaki Nishizawa will be stepping down from their positions in the company. Hitoshi Matsumoto was named as the new Director and Tanahashi was named as the new President and Representative Director going forward for the company starting this Saturday. Current Bushiroad President and CEO Taro Okada was also named as a new Director but it was stated that he will be only working on a part-time basis for his new role.

Official press release:

Notice of newly appointed company President

After a meeting of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s board of directors and shareholders today, December 23 2023, the following personnel change has been made in Company management.

Reason for personnel change

Alterations to management structure

Newly appointed officials

President & Representative Director: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Director: Hitoshi Matsumoto (Chief of Business Production, TV Asahi)

Director: Taro Okada (President & CEO, Bushiroad Fight) *Mr. Okada’s position is on a part time basis.

Effective December 23, Takami Ohbari and Michiaki Nishizawa will step down from their positions as President/Representative Director and Director respectively.

Newly appointed President/Representative Director profile

Hiroshi Tanahashi was born November 13 1976 in Ogaki City, Gifu. After graduating in law at Ristumeikan University, Tanahashi joined NJPW in 1999 and debuted that October. He won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first of a record eight times in 2006, achievements along with four time pro-wrestling MVP status that have led him to be called the ‘Ace’ of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Press conference

There will be a press conference on December 26 at 1PM JST concerning the changes made above.

Message to fans

Thank you for your ongoing support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. On January 4 at Belc Presents Wrestle Kingdom 18 in the Tokyo Dome, Hiroshi Tanahashi will address the fans directly in his new role as President. NJPW looks forward to your continued support under the new leadership structure.