Hiroshi Tanahashi Addresses Fans Following NJPW Ownership Change

NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi has released a statement to address fans following the change in ownership of the Japanese wrestling promotion.

As previously noted, news broke overnight that Bushiroad has transferred all of its shares to TV Asahi and CyberAgent.

Earlier today, Tanahashi issued a statement via NJPW’s website, thanking Bushiroad for their continued support over the past 14 years, crediting them for the promotion’s “significant growth.”

Despite the change in ownership, Tanahashi assured fans that NJPW remains committed to its goal to “create the best possible wrestling and provide entertainment” to its loyalists, this time as a “united company.”

Here’s what Hiroshi Tanahashi said:

“To all New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans and everyone who has supported and assisted us,
We are pleased to announce that Bushiroad Co., Ltd. will be transferring its shares in our company to TV Asahi Corporation and CyberAgent, Inc. Bushiroad became our parent company in 2012, and through various forms of support—including large-scale advertising campaigns—it has enabled New Japan Pro-Wrestling to achieve significant growth. We are deeply grateful.

“To repay this kindness, we will now strive as a consolidated subsidiary of TV Asahi, with the support of CyberAgent, to achieve significant growth for New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a united company. Our mission to create the best possible wrestling and provide entertainment for all of you remains unchanged. We sincerely ask for your continued support and encouragement.”