On January 20, the Japan Professional Wrestling Alliance held its inaugural press conference at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, signaling significant changes aimed at enhancing safety within the industry. The event featured 16-year-old female wrestler Kaza Shiro Haru, who passionately addressed the wrestling community's leaders, advocating for improved safety and compliance measures.
The formation of the Japan Professional Wrestling Alliance, announced late last year, brought together nine major wrestling organizations, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, STARDOM, All Japan Pro Wrestling, NOAH, DDT, Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling, Tokyo Joshi, Big Japan Wrestling, and DRAGON GATE. Under the president Seiji Sakaguchi's leadership, the alliance aims to serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas, focusing on solving common challenges facing the wrestling world.
This initiative leads up to two charity events planned for May and June 2024 at the Nippon Budokan and Hokkaido, respectively, known as 'ALL TOGETHER: Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance Establishment Commemorative Charity Event Supporting Noto Peninsula Recovery'. Despite the noble intentions, initial ticket sales for the charity event have not been promising, prompting feedback from athletes concerning audience engagement.
Following the discussions and calls for action, the first preparatory meeting for the alliance took place seven months ago, attended by representatives from the participating organizations, including Kyushu Pro Wrestling and Diana. After extensive dialogue, they reached consensus to apply for non-profit corporate status, solidifying their commitment to addressing safety concerns through new guidelines, training for wrestlers, and other programs dedicated to athlete welfare.
Kaza Shiro Haru, the youngest member of the wrestling community present at the press conference, expressed her admiration for the industry and her hopes for its future. "I am now 16 years old and still underage, but thanks to my parents’ support, I joined Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, and I've received various support from the organization. I want more children around the world to know about the wonderful world of wrestling. I believe the industry can be made safer and more compliant so parents can trust it more easily," she stated, highlighting the need for a safer environment for budding talent.
The Japan Professional Wrestling Alliance aims to create common compliance standards for member promotions, with future plans to introduce funding mechanisms for medical resources, including ring doctors, as part of their broader objective to reinforce safety within the sport.
By gathering leading organizations to work toward shared goals, this newly formed alliance holds promising potential to bring about brighter prospects for the wrestling field. After years of individual promotion efforts, its leaders hope this collaborative framework will successfully tackle industry-wide issues and uplift the image of pro wrestling across Japan, fostering increased participation and trust among families.
With public perception of professional wrestling still facing challenges, the alliance’s efforts to reinforce safety and compliance are viewed as necessary steps forward. Kaza Shiro Haru’s insistence on making wrestling appealing to young audiences is pivotal, positioning her as not just a competitor but also as an advocate for change within the sport.
Together, as they prepare for their upcoming charity events, the Japan Professional Wrestling Alliance is optimistic for the future, with hopes of establishing not just safer surroundings for wrestlers but also inspiring admiration for the profession among younger generations.