Bushiroad Announces Reorganization of STARDOM

World Wonder Ring STARDOM is set to undergo restructuring following its recent acquisition by Bushiroad.

In March 2026, New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Board of Directors agreed to transfer all shares of the joshi company to Bushiroad.

Earlier today, Bushiroad issued a press release, announcing that the Tokyo-based company would now fall under its ‘Live Entertainment Unit,’ as the parent company aims to ‘further enhance IP value’ and ‘improve investment efficiency.’

Below is the press release:

BUSHIROAD PRESS RELEASE

To Whom It May Concern, July 1, 2026, Bushiroad Inc. (TSE Growth: 7803)

[Business Unit Reorganization] STARDOM Positioned within Core Business

Integration into the Live Entertainment Unit to Further Enhance IP Value

Bushiroad Inc. (Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; President: Takaaki Kidani; hereinafter “Bushiroad”) and the Bushiroad Group will undergo a business unit reorganization starting July 2026, which involves integrating and evolving the “Sports Unit” into the “Live Entertainment Unit.”

As a result, STARDOM Co., Ltd. will transition into a new growth phase by becoming a business under the Live Entertainment Unit—a core business of the Bushiroad Group. This move will fuse STARDOM with the Group’s strengths and expertise in the live performance, theater, and music businesses.

Objectives of the Business Unit Reorganization

1. Concentration of Resources on Core Businesses and Improvement of Investment Efficiency

As part of optimizing the business portfolio for the entire Group, management resources within the “Sports Unit” were reviewed. Consequently, STARDOM, which possesses high growth potential and Group synergies, will be integrated into the “Live Entertainment Unit.” This will allow STARDOM to directly utilize the unit’s existing infrastructure, aggressively driving the maximization of investment efficiency and the concentration of resources into core business domains.

2. Transforming the STARDOM Brand into a “Live IP”

The Bushiroad Group will fully inject its accumulated expertise—cultivated through numerous in-house IPs—in areas such as media mix development, merchandise creation, music businesses, and international expansion into STARDOM. The goal is to evolve STARDOM into the “ultimate live entertainment” experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional professional wrestling, thereby further elevating its brand value.

Furthermore, STARDOM hosts over 100 events annually, boasting one of the largest track records for staging live events within the Bushiroad Group. By sharing this rich operational expertise with other content creators within the Group, Bushiroad aims to promote mutual growth and create synergy across all IPs.

Looking back, the raw passion of STARDOM, the charisma of our unique athletes, and the fierce battles fought both inside and outside the ring have always shared a remarkably high affinity with the live entertainment businesses—such as anime, music, and theater—that Bushiroad has developed. In fact, we have received many voices of anticipation from fans looking forward to the ‘fusion of Bushiroad’s entertainment power and STARDOM.’ Since joining the Bushiroad Group, I have spent over 10 years in the Live Entertainment Unit, closely witnessing the growth of the Group’s IP developments alongside numerous in-house properties.

Moving forward, we will directly inject the Group’s live entertainment expertise, creative capabilities, and promotional power into STARDOM more than ever before. We are committed to evolving STARDOM in every aspect—not only the excitement felt live at the venues but also through video content, music, merchandise, and international expansion—to deliver the ‘ultimate live entertainment’ to our fans. We hope you will look forward to the new era of STARDOM and the passionate battles of our athletes. Thank you for your continued guidance and unwavering support.”

Here’s what STARDOM President and CEO Taro Okada said:

“Thank you very much for your continuous support of STARDOM. I am pleased to announce that STARDOM will make a fresh start by moving under the umbrella of the Bushiroad Group’s ‘Live Entertainment Unit.’ This organizational change is by no means aimed at maintaining the status quo. I view this reorganization as an ‘offensive strategy’ for STARDOM to take a massive leap forward.”

【お知らせ】
当社グループは、2026年7月より「スポーツユニット」を「ライブエンタメユニット」へと統合・発展させる事業ユニット再編を行います。…

— ブシロード公式 (@bushi_PR) July 1, 2026