United Japan Pro Wrestling is now an officially incorporated organization.
Formed in late 2023, the UJPW is an association of wrestling promotions in Japan that include NJPW, NOAH, Stardom, AJPW, Big Japan, DDT, Dragongate, and more. The organization’s goals are “to further the presence of pro-wrestling and its cultural merit in Japanese society at large, allow professional wrestling to contribute further to cultural and sporting sectors, and work toward continued health and prosperity of the industry.”
UJPW held a press conference on Monday to announce its new legal designation, stating that being an incorporated entity “strengthens governance and enhances public transparency” of the organization and widens the scope of what it can do.
DDT Founder Sanshiro Takagi chaired the meeting and laid out the four core goals of the group moving forward:
- Introduce more people to professional wrestling.
- Elevating wrestling’s status in society
- A core tenet of this will be charitable activities, such as the event last May to raise money for Noto earthquake survivors.
- To introduce the world to the “unique culture of Japanese pro wrestling” and use this to drive tourism to Japan
- “Expanding the marketplace” to double the size of the industry over the next 10 years
Takagi also announced today that relaxed rules regarding new members of UJPW will be announced shortly. Prior requirements regarding a minimum total annual revenue will be waived for new member organizations.
The seven requirements to join UJPW:
- an organization to be a regularly running, active promotion in Japan.
- to be a legally recognised company
- to have at least one contracted wrestler working for them
- to have annual revenue of at least 50 million Yen
- to have been established for at least two years
- to have a corporate compliance system in place for wrestlers and staff
- to share in a vision of betterment for the pro-wrestling space at large even in competition with other members.
UJPW held two events in 2024: All Together Earthquake Benefit at the Nippon Budokan in May and All Together Sapporo at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in June.
Representatives from multiple member organizations spoke at the press conference regarding their hopes for United Japan Pro Wrestling.
Dragongate’s Ryo Saito:
“Wrestling has supported the best fans in Japan for 70 years, but there are still a lot of people who have a negative image of pro-wrestling. One of the missions of this association is to remove all the barriers to pro-wrestling and take away any negative or intimidating impression that wrestling has. Wrestlers and staff have an important responsibility to take to heart, including for a smaller organization like DRAGONGATE to grow the image of pro-wrestling among the populace, and to make it a stable and attractive industry in which to work.”
NJPW’s Shota Umino:
“We have had All Together events up to now, and I would love to further the pro-wrestling space in the future, as well as to do whatever I can through pro-wrestling to support the people of Japan. I hope we’re pro-active as a group and work together to bring people strength, especially in the wake of disasters or other challenges the country may face.”
NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi:
“I fell in love with pro-wrestling at a young age, and have been driven and energised it for all that time. Wherever they may be, the knowledge of people fighting for them is something that inspires so many. I’m on my final countdown right now, but I hope that perhaps I can make appearances in the other members of this association before I retire.”
Cyberfight’s Narihiro Takeda quickly responded to Tanahashi’s comments, perhaps sensing an opportunity:
“Tanahashi said that he would like to wrestle in the other members of this association, so on behalf of Cyberfight i would like to facilitate that, as well as gladly discuss any ideas and contribute where we can.”
Bushiroad CEO Takaaki Kidani spoke about how Antonio Inoki inspired him to get into wrestling.
“This June I will turn 65. I first encountered pro-wrestling in junior high, so 50 years now. I didn’t enjoy my life in school back then, and didn’t have much to look forward to. But what drove me to go on to do what I did in life came in large part, maybe the most part from Antonio Inoki. Pro-Wrestling culture, inspiration, entertainment is something that I dearly hope can be brought to inspire more people, and that’s why I’m proud to be here today.”
