United Japan Pro Wrestling Highlights Future Goals

:njpw:

United Japan Pro-Wrestling highlighted their goals at a press conference.

Per NJPW’s website, a press conference on January 20th marked the official recognition of United Japan Pro-Wrestling as a general incorporated association. It was noted that the designation “strengthens governance and enhances public transparency, as well as allowing for more freedom in the scope of UJPW.”

Chairman Sanshiro Takagi and UJPW aim to "support the people of Japan through professional wrestling”, as well as to “show the strengths of pro-wrestling to the world.” Additionally, Takagi noted that UJPW was established following the challenges that the wrestling industry faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they found the need for a “unified point of call” during social issues and to strengthen communication between organizations.

UJPW currently includes All Japan Pro-Wrestling, Big Japan Pro-Wrestling, DDT Pro-Wrestling, DRAGONGATE, Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling, Kyushu Pro Wrestling, NJPW, NOAH, STARDOMm and Tokyo Joshi Pro.

At the press conference, UJPW also outlined the requirements to join the group, which were outlined by NJPW’s write-up:

• 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.

Takagi explained that a path for “supporting members” would be outlined soon, and the major difference in the barrier to joining the group would be that “the annual revenue and contracted wrestler distinctions are waived.”

As for UJPW’s vision, the group’s goals are to introduce more people to the industry and elevate its status in society. He also emphasized that charitable activities were important to the group.

Additionally, Takagi highlighted the push to introduce the world to Japanese pro wrestling and use it to drive tourism to Japan. He also said that UJPW’s fourth goal was to expand the wrestling marketplace in Japan, with the objective to grow the industry to double its current size in the next ten years.

Finally, as for UJPW’s short-term goals, Takagi said they would aim to have regular meetings with the Japanese government and have member organizations collaborate on health and safety policies for wrestlers.