Hiroshi Tanahashi, President and CEO of New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. and professional wrestler

The passion for professional wrestling creates a new era

©︎New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Hiroshi Tanahashi, President and CEO of New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. and professional wrestler

■ Profile
Born November 13, 1976, in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture. He joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1999 and made his debut the same year. He has held numerous titles, including the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and is known as a "once-in-a-century talent" and "ace." Outside of the ring, he is also active, appearing in various media outlets and starring in films.
He will become the Representative Director and President of New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. in December 2023.
He will retire from active duty at "WRESTLE KINGDOM 20 in Tokyo Dome" on January 4, 2026.

"My life has become 1000 times more fun since I discovered professional wrestling." So says Hiroshi Tanahashi, the "once-in-a-century talent" who shouldered the weight of New Japan Pro-Wrestling during its slump and led it back to popularity. With his retirement coming up in January next year, we spoke to Tanahashi about his journey with professional wrestling so far, and his vision for the future as the President and CEO of New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd.

■ Student life of hard study and practice

When I was in high school, I watched a late-night broadcast and that's what made me want to become a professional wrestler. I was impressed by how strong they were, never giving up even when it seemed impossible, and how they beat the count. I was moved by the moment they surpassed my imagination. At the same time, I was attracted not only to the physical strength of professional wrestlers, but also to their mental strength, which allows them to act confidently in front of others. I had never had much confidence in myself, so I thought, "Maybe becoming a professional wrestler would help me gain confidence."
In university, I joined the pro wrestling club and started amateur wrestling, and as I trained my body, I started to look like a different person. On my third try, I finally passed the entrance exam for New Japan Pro Wrestling. I had intended to quit university upon passing, but Choshu Riki told me to come after I graduated from university, so I ended up taking an amazing 1 credits in the remaining year. I hung in there and studied hard, and as a result, I was able to graduate without any problems. I feel that I was able to repay my parents for all they had done for me by leaving a legacy of graduation.

■ The challenge of recovering from declining popularity

When I started training in 1999, there were many popular fighters and every venue was packed with excitement. However, about four years later, due to the influence of mixed martial arts and K1, attendance decreased and the popularity of martial arts began to decline. This is the period known as the "decline."
It was in 2006 that I became the IWGP Heavyweight Champion for the first time. From then on, I strongly felt that I had to become famous in order to bring back popularity for professional wrestling. I worked hard to improve the image of professional wrestling by doing PR activities on TV and radio between matches and holding events at venues in advance. I spoke directly with people in the local area so that they would want to support us, and I built up my skills step by step.
As a result, the number of empty seats decreased day by day, and the venue was once again filled with excitement. I truly felt that all my efforts were worth it.
In order to further spice up professional wrestling, I changed everything, from the way I promoted myself to the way I fought in the ring, and even my appearance. Naturally, I received a storm of boos from the old-school fans. But I continued to believe that "my way of doing things was not wrong." Then in 2009, I had a match with Manabu Nakanishi in Osaka. At the start of the match, Tanahashi was booed everywhere, but as the match continued, the atmosphere changed, and by the end, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. I feel that that match was the catalyst for me to convey my passion for professional wrestling to the audience. From that point on, the mood changed dramatically, and I began to receive support.

■Stick to his beliefs and win the hearts of his fans

No matter how difficult things get, I believe that as long as I have just one friend or family member who believes in me, I can keep going. I have been booed countless times because I have a flashy look with long blonde hair, which is different from the traditional style of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. But even so, I was able to continue to believe in the words of referee Tiger Hattori, who told me, "You're fine just the way you are."
Furthermore, professional wrestling has around 150 matches a year, and wrestlers travel all over the country to fight. They can't dwell on a loss and appear depressed in front of the audience who only get to watch them once or twice a year in that location. So they seal away their feelings of frustration for the time being. Then, the next time they face that opponent, they bring them out. This is a technique that allows them to give 100% in every match (laughs).
And above all, the time and effort you put into professional wrestling will give you confidence when you go into a match. Prepare to make the match exciting with dietary management, sleep, and interviews, and eliminate any sources of anxiety. Then, all you have to do is make up your mind and do your best. "It's better to be prepared than to be worried." This saying really does ring true.

■An even brighter future for New Japan Pro-Wrestling

I'm sure you all experience joy, anger, sadness, and happiness in your daily life, but the range of emotions in professional wrestling is exceptional. You may cry with joy, or feel so frustrated that you cry, and your emotions will range in all directions. And gradually, this will turn into a pleasant feeling of fatigue. It's truly an extraordinary experience that can only be experienced at a professional wrestling venue. Are you feeling a bit more inclined to watch? (laughs)
Even after announcing my retirement, there are still moments when I wish I could continue. But it's precisely because fighters keep coming in and out that the ring becomes more interesting. With that in mind, I think I was given a good time to retire. I personally love the word "full power," and I have always fought in such a way that I thought, "I don't mind if my life ends that day." That's why I have almost no regrets.
My retirement date is January 4th, 2026. Will I go into retirement thinking that it's inevitable, or will I try to get into shape so that people will say, "I can still do it"? As a fighter, I want to leave the ring feeling saddened.
From now on, my number one goal is to make New Japan Pro-Wrestling bigger. I want to create a future where pro wrestling is a part of everyday conversation by producing star wrestlers. New Japan now has the wrestlers who can make that future a reality. I really want to surpass 2019, the year when we had a lineup of star wrestlers and achieved record profits. We already have the talent, so the question is how to market it. The rest is up to me as president.

■Message to university students

Always imagine a bright future and a successful life. If you can imagine it in your head, you can make it come true. I have always imagined myself fighting in front of a packed house at the Tokyo Dome. I believe that will also come true in my retirement match.
Good and bad things will happen in life, but on average they cancel each other out. When something good happens, be a little cautious, and when something bad happens, trust that things will definitely get better from now on. If you maintain that mentality, you'll be able to overcome anything.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on May 4, 2025 by Mai Wakao, a third-year student at International Christian University

Yurie Watanabe, second-year student at Josai International University; Mai Wakao, third-year student at International Christian University; Rurika Abe, second-year student at Showa Women's University