NJPW’s Tanahashi pledges to lead wrestling like a once-in-a-century president

As the new president

At the traditional January 4 Tokyo Dome event, Hiroshi Tanahashi (49) drew the curtain on his 26-year wrestling career to focus entirely on his role as president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Folding his broad chest slightly to offer a business card, he laughed about having gained weight just two weeks after retirement. Indeed, his custom-made suit looked ready to burst.

“I’m afraid to step on the scale, so I haven’t measured, but I think I’ve gained about 5 kg. During my wrestling career, I limited myself to eating ramen only twice a year, but this year alone I’ve already gone six times. There’s a great ramen shop near the office.”

Tanahashi, who once wore hair extensions in the ring and had long hair as a trademark in recent years, held a hair-cutting ceremony after retirement and now sports a short, fresh style.

“Wrestlers are cheered on by many people, and that roar of the crowd is a joy. I cut my hair to avoid being pulled back by that life. As president, I want to seek new sources of joy and fulfillment, and turn that into fresh motivation.”

He was offered the presidency by Takami Kitani, CEO and president of NJPW’s parent company Bushiroad, and accepted in December 2023. Known as a once-in-a-century talent in the wrestling world, and recognized as such by fans and the wrestling community, Tanahashi viewed his final countdown as a wrestler as a period of training to become a corporate leader.

“As someone who had never worked in a company before, I thought it would be impossible to start my first year in the workforce as president. Owner Kitani told me, ‘I don’t want a president who’s just a symbolic figure; I want someone who can read the numbers and steer the company.’ Since then, I’ve learned thoroughly how to read and write financial statements, understand the company’s revenue structure, and manage operations. I aim to become a once-in-a-century leader in business as well.”

NJPW has around 50 wrestlers and 70 employees. Including external staff, the total comes to about 150 people.

“I made it a point to communicate with everyone, from young talent to veterans, to understand what kind of work they’re involved in, and to grasp the overall picture of the company first.”

Society and Pro Wrestling

The new president’s day is long. He arrives at the company in Nakano-Sakaue by 10 a.m.

“Attending meetings and stamping approval documents are important tasks, of course, but what I value most is the morning assembly. How are we going to energize New Japan Pro-Wrestling going forward? What do fans want right now? I try to make the morning assembly something that boosts the motivation of all employees. If we turned everything I’ve said in past morning assemblies into a daily calendar—well, a whole new business opportunity has opened up now (laughs).”

After sitting in the president’s chair until 6 p.m., he visits gyms or dojos to prepare for his retirement match with Kazuchika Okada.

“Even after getting home at 9 p.m., I’d check Slack, and if there were no issues, I’d write columns every day. Now, I focus more on company work, using the time I previously spent training for business dinners or replying to emails.”

Even after Tanahashi became president, New Japan has maintained its status as the industry’s top company.

“In 2019, New Japan Pro-Wrestling recorded its highest profits, but afterward we went through tough times due to COVID. However, last year in the second half, the company posted the second-highest revenue since 2019. This year, my retirement show sold out completely at the Tokyo Dome—the first super full house since Antonio Inoki’s retirement show in 1998—so we can expect even more revenue.”

The legacy wrestler Tanahashi left at New Japan isn’t just ticket and merchandise income.

“The top wrestlers in their 20s to early 30s at New Japan now are the generation that hit their careers’ peak just as COVID struck. Even if they went overseas, they couldn’t really return triumphantly, and when they did, there were empty arenas or no cheers. Through my retirement show, we could show fans who had drifted away during COVID that today’s New Japan has amazing, exciting wrestlers.”

Tanahashi, who had belonged to Ritsumeikan University’s pro-wrestling club, joined New Japan after passing three tryouts in 1999 at age 22. At that time, the two major combat sports, K-1 and PRIDE, were at their peak, while pro wrestling was in a slump. As young wrestlers continued the so-called strong style in black trunks, Tanahashi waved his brightly dyed long hair, bringing a fresh breeze to the squared ring, quickly becoming a popular wrestler.

“Once fans drift away, they don’t come back easily, so I aimed to show my appeal to non-pro-wrestling fans. In Inoki’s era, the majority of fans were male. Then someone like me appeared. ‘The nail that sticks out gets hammered,’ but I have a strong mentality, so I didn’t get discouraged. Slowly, female fans increased, and now those pro-wrestling girls have gotten married, had kids, and bring their husbands and children with them. I like to think I’ve turned pro wrestling into something families can enjoy together (laughs).”

Taking Cues from the Dodgers

He says he has never once thought about quitting pro wrestling.

“The excitement of pro wrestling comes from moments that exceed the audience’s expectations. When you’re cornered after taking your opponent’s finishing move, and you reverse it just before the three-count, it gives you chills. In high school, I got completely hooked on the catharsis of pro wrestling—it made life a thousand times more fun. When I became a wrestler myself, an even more enjoyable life awaited. I’ve always felt a sense of mission to become famous, promote myself, and spread pro wrestling, to create people like me.”

At the recent Tokyo Dome show, his mentors Tatsumi Fujinami and Keiji Mutoh, along with other senior wrestlers, also appeared on the ring for the ceremony, but Tanahashi clearly stated, “There will be no comeback.”

“When I was younger, even if I overate or drank excessively, I could return to my ideal physique with a little restraint. But since the 2020s, I’ve had trouble regaining my ideal shape. In this industry, higher metabolism is better. If the top is clogged, the younger generation can’t rise.”

Tanahashi, the very person who brought women into the male-dominated New Japan, asserts that there are no problems with today’s New Japan.

“New Japan, established by Inoki-san, had eras with Riki Choshu and Fujinami-san, then the ‘Toukon Sanjushi’ era (Mutoh, Masahiro Chono, Shinya Hashimoto), and my era with Shinsuke Nakamura—always two to three people competing for dominance at a time. Currently, we have Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yuya Uemura, Ryohei Oiwa, Boltin Oleg, and Aron Wolf.

All of them are in the physical prime of their 20s to early 30s. There has never been such a strong same-generation cohort in New Japan’s history. Looking back at Japanese history, the most interesting periods are the Sengoku era of competing warlords—you never know who will take power. That’s why it’s exciting.”

However, expanding a business model suited to the times is necessary.

“Since my debut, the entertainment options have increased enormously. It’s not just terrestrial TV—you can stream tons of content on subscription services, and there’s a battle for viewers’ time. About 40% of New Japan’s revenue comes from gate (ticket) income, followed by merchandise and broadcasting rights. In contrast, WWE, the world’s largest pro wrestling company, relies less on gate revenue and more on video distribution. Changing the revenue structure is a company challenge.”

After becoming president, Tanahashi visited the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, which offered insights for merchandising.

“When I looked at the merchandise area, no single brand monopolized it—products from all kinds of sports brands were available. We collaborate with brands like New Era and Under Armour, but now I prioritize it even more. Teaming up with well-known brands builds social credibility and gives a sense of being major league.”

He aims to elevate New Japan into a major entertainment brand, with wrestler salaries comparable to those of athletes in major sports.

“I think Inoki-san is probably the only one in the past to have earned over 100 million yen in New Japan. Pro wrestling has no junior system, so to inspire kids to say, ‘I want to be a pro wrestler,’ you need to appear on TV, become famous, earn a lot, and even become popular (laughs).”

After finishing the interview and photoshoot, Tanahashi suggested to the press, “Shall we take a photo together?” and added, “Please spread that you met Tanahashi.”

Indeed, it gave a glimpse into why Tanahashi is loved by people and has gradually expanded the pro wrestling fan base.

From “FRIDAY” February 13, 2026 issue