New Japan Pro Wrestling issued the following press release announcing that company President/CEO Harold Meij has resigned from his position and will be replaced by Takami Ohbari staring October 23rd.
At a meeting of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s parent company Bushiroad’s board of directors today September 29, 2020, a change was announced in NJPW’s directorship. This change will take effect at the beginning of NJPW’s 50th year of trading on October 23rd.
Outgoing President/CEO
Harold Meij
New NJPW President/CEO (as of October 23)
Takami Ohbari (current NJPW of America CEO)
Meiji would later address the situation, and even apologizes for breaking the news during the promotion’s coveted G1 Climax tournament.
Even though we have escaped from the difficult times when we couldn’t play at all due to the corona wreck, the impact still remains. I wanted to continue this mission responsibly until the day when I could say ‘I’ve returned to the state before Corona’ and ‘New Japan Pro-Wrestling is completely okay’, but I have to say goodbye to everyone. It’s time to have to. Please forgive me for the announcement at this time during the ‘G1 CLIMAX 30’ due to the general meeting of shareholders.