Tag: harold meij

Harold Meij resigns as NJPW president/CEO

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW announced today that President and CEO Harold Meij will be departing the company next month.

In their statement announcing the news, it was revealed that Takami Ohbari, who is the current CEO of NJPW of America, will become new president/CEO of NJPW on October 23.

NJPW’s full statement is available below:

At a meeting of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s parent company Bushiroad’s board of directors today September 29, 2020, a change was announced in NJPW’s directorship. This change will take effect at the beginning of NJPW’s 50th year of trading on October 23rd. 

Outgoing President/CEO 

Harold Meij

New NJPW President/CEO (as of October 23)

Takami Ohbari (current NJPW of America CEO)

Meij wrote a blog on NJPW’s Japanese website about his experiences with the company both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also apologized for announcing his resignation during the ongoing G1 Climax 30 event.

Meij was appointed president of NJPW in May of 2018. Prior to his appointment, he served as senior vice president of Coca-Cola Japan and had also been COO of toy company Tomy.

NJPW president Harold Meij details roadmap to resuming shows

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW released a video this morning with President & CEO Harold Meij providing a roadmap that will eventually lead to the resumption of shows. You can watch it below:

Meij first detailed why they have not conducted empty arena matches, as other promotions have since the spread of COVID-19. He listed three reasons they have yet to do this: to protect the health and safety of wrestlers and staff, venues being unavailable to use for NJPW events and NJPW’s own corporate social responsibility.

He went on to say that the first step towards resuming shows will be to hold empty arena events. However, Meij said that this will not happen until the following: when Japan lifts its country-wide state of emergency, the number of new infections decline, and when matches can take place in disinfected and safe settings. When events do resume, they will take place both in Japan and in the NJPW Los Angeles dojo.

The next step would be to welcome back fans with added measures. These steps will include extensive health checks on wrestlers and staff, thermographic temperature upon entry, and masks will be compulsory. Venues will be thoroughly disinfected and ventilated, and proper social distancing spacing will be implemented.

Meij ended the message by promising that NJPW won’t be beaten by the disease and urged every pro wrestling fan to come together and overcome this challenge.