Kanagawa Prefecture: 28 people
Kizuna Tanaka (田中希沙, Tanaka Kizuna) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional…
Kizuna Tanaka (田中希沙, Tanaka Kizuna) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Dream Star Fighting Marigold.
Momo Watanabe (渡辺桃, Watanabe Momo; born March 22, 2000) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to World…
Momo Watanabe (渡辺桃, Watanabe Momo; born March 22, 2000) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of H.A.T.E. Since Watanabe made her Stardom debut on November 16, 2014, she became a three-time Artist of Stardom Champion, three-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion and one-time Wonder of Stardom Champion. Watanabe is the winner of the 2018 Cinderella Tournament, the 2025 5★Star GP, and the 2018 and 2020 iterations of the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League. Watanabe is also a former leader of Queen's Quest.
Yuya Aoki (青木優也, Aoki Yūya) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW). He…
Yuya Aoki (青木優也, Aoki Yūya) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW). He is a former BJW Junior Heavyweight Champion, Yokohama Shopping Street 6-Man Tag Team Champion and former longest reign one-time BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion.
Wakana Uehara (上原 わかな, Uehara Wakana) is a Japanese professional wrestler, former idol and tarento signed to Tokyo…
Wakana Uehara (上原 わかな, Uehara Wakana) is a Japanese professional wrestler, former idol and tarento signed to Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW),
Kotaro Yoshino (吉野コータロー, Yoshino Kōtarō; born July 19, 1994) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Active…
Kotaro Yoshino (吉野コータロー, Yoshino Kōtarō; born July 19, 1994) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Active Advance Pro Wrestling, where he is a former 2AW Tag Team Champion. He is known for his appearances in various Japanese professional wrestling promotions, including Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Yota Tsuji (辻 陽太, Tsuji Yōta; born September 8, 1993) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan…
Yota Tsuji (辻 陽太, Tsuji Yōta; born September 8, 1993) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Unbound Co. stable and is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his second reign. Tsuji made his debut for NJPW in April 2018 as a "Young Lion", working as one for the next three years until going on an overseas excursion. He initially wrestled for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) in the United Kingdom before moving to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico, where he worked under the mononym Yota. Tsuji returned to NJPW in May 2023 and has since won the 2024 New Japan Cup, became a one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion with Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi, a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and two-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. He has also wrestled for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the United States.
Yuki Kamifuku (上福佑季, Kamifuku Yuki; ring name: 上福ゆき) is a Japanese professional wrestler and model currently signed to…
Yuki Kamifuku (上福佑季, Kamifuku Yuki; ring name: 上福ゆき) is a Japanese professional wrestler and model currently signed to Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling,She became known for her tenures with DDT Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah.
Daichi Hashimoto (橋本 大地, Hashimoto Daichi; born April 13, 1992) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently…
Daichi Hashimoto (橋本 大地, Hashimoto Daichi; born April 13, 1992) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), where he performs in the Strong BJ division. In BJW, Hashimoto is a two-time BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion and three-time BJW Tag Team Champion. He is the son of Shinya Hashimoto and started his career in his father's Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1) promotion.
Masami Odate (大館昌美, Ōdate Masami; born May 8, 1990) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where…
Masami Odate (大館昌美, Ōdate Masami; born May 8, 1990) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Iyo Sky (イヨ・スカイ, Iyo Sukai) (stylized in all caps), where she is the incumbent Queen of the Ring. She competed as Io Shirai (紫雷 イオ, Shirai Io) () in WWE's developmental brand NXT, where she was a former NXT Women's Champion and NXT Women's Tag Team Champion with Zoey Stark, and previously in World Wonder Ring Stardom (Stardom), where she was a two-time World of Stardom Champion. In Stardom, she is also a former two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion, six-time Artist of Stardom Champion, the inaugural SWA World Champion, one-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion, and one-time High Speed Champion, making her the company's first Grand Slam Champion. She was recognized as the "ace" of Stardom, and was the recipient of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Tokyo Sports Joshi Puroresu Grand Prizes. Her run in Stardom coincided with the rise of her own stable, Queen's Quest, which carried on after Shirai's departure in 2018 until 2024. Making her debut in March 2007, she spent several years working as a tag team wrestler, teaming with her older sister Mio, with whom she wrestled for various promotions across Japan and Mexico. In June 2010, she and her sister came together with Kana to form the Triple Tails stable, which lasted for 15 months, before Io broke out of the group and embarked on her singles career in Stardom. In April 2013, she won the promotion's top title, the World of Stardom Championship, later holding it twice, with each reign lasting for over a year. She worked for Stardom from 2011 until 2018, when she signed with WWE. Shirai made her WWE debut at the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament, where she lost in the finals to Toni Storm. She was later assigned to the NXT brand, where she officially turned heel in 2019, and won her first championship in WWE, the NXT Women's Championship, in June the following year. She made her debut on the main roster at SummerSlam in July 2022 under the new name Iyo Sky, and joined the stable, Damage CTRL. After winning the Money in the Bank contract, she won the WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam in August 2023, before losing it to Bayley at WrestleMania XL in April 2024. In March 2025, Sky won the Women's World Championship, making her the tenth WWE Women's Triple Crown Champion and the seventh WWE Women's Grand Slam Champion. Sky has been described as one of the best women's wrestlers in the world.
Syuri Kondo (近藤 朱里, Kondō Shuri; born February 8, 1989), mononymously known as Syuri (朱里, Shuri), is a Japanese…
Syuri Kondo (近藤 朱里, Kondō Shuri; born February 8, 1989), mononymously known as Syuri (朱里, Shuri), is a Japanese professional wrestler, shoot boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist. She is currently signed with World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the leader of God's Eye and is a champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling as the current IWGP Women's Champion in her second reign. She is a former NJPW Strong Women's Champion and World of Stardom Champion. Syuri started her professional wrestling career in Hustle, where she performed under the ring name KG (Karate Girl). Syuri later worked for Hustle's two follow-up promotions; Smash, where she was the final Smash Diva Champion, and Wrestling New Classic (WNC), where she was a two-time WNC Women's Champion. After WNC folded in June 2014, Syuri remained affiliated with its sister promotion Reina Joshi Puroresu until March 2016, becoming a one-time Reina World Women's Champion and a one-time Reina World Tag Team Champion. Syuri also worked for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) through their working relationship with Reina, where she is a former CMLL World Women's Champion and CMLL-Reina International Champion. Syuri debuted in Stardom in 2013 and is a former one-time World of Stardom Champion, one-time SWA World Champion and one-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion. Syuri is also the winner of the 2021 5 Star Grand Prix. Coming from a karate background, Syuri made her shoot boxing debut in 2009 in Krush as a kickboxer. Over the following six years, Syuri amassed a record of 13 wins and one loss, while also becoming the inaugural Krush Women's Flyweight Champion in March 2014. In April 2016, Syuri transitioned to mixed martial arts by joining Pancrase, where she was the inaugural Strawweight Queen of Pancrase. In September 2017, Syuri made her Ultimate Fighting Championship debut.
Haruka Kato (加藤 悠, Katō Haruka; born 5 February 1989), also known by ring name Harukaze, is a Japanese gravure idol…
Haruka Kato (加藤 悠, Katō Haruka; born 5 February 1989), also known by ring name Harukaze, is a Japanese gravure idol, tarento, and professional wrestler. She was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Ryuichi Kawakami (河上隆一, Kawakami Ryūichi) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to Gleat and is best…
Ryuichi Kawakami (河上隆一, Kawakami Ryūichi) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to Gleat and is best known for his tenure with the Japanese promotions Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and DDT Pro Wrestling (DDT).
Mio Shirai (紫雷 美央, Shirai Mio; born February 14, 1988) is a Japanese professional wrestling referee and professional…
Mio Shirai (紫雷 美央, Shirai Mio; born February 14, 1988) is a Japanese professional wrestling referee and professional wrestler. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Joshi Puroresu and Pro Wrestling Wave. In June 2010, the Shirais came together with fellow freelancer Kana to form the Triple Tails stable as part of which they began working most notably for Smash. After Io left the stable the following year, Mio and Kana continued working together as the tag team Triple Tails.S. Shirai remained a freelancer until January 2014, when she signed a four-way contract with Ice Ribbon, Oz Academy, Pro Wrestling Wave and Union Pro Wrestling. She retired from professional wrestling due to neck injuries in September 2015 at the age of 27, after which she started working as a referee. She wrestled sporadically in the early 2020s, and in 2024, worked 15 matches in various promotions, while still signed as a referee to Ice Ribbon. In 2025, she became a freelancer, breaking from Ice Ribbon to concentrate more on wrestling.
Aki Shizuku (雫 有希, Shizuku Aki) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler signed to Pro-Wrestling…
Aki Shizuku (雫 有希, Shizuku Aki) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler signed to Pro-Wrestling Evolution (EVO). She is best known for her tenures with various promotions from the Japanese independent scene such as JWP Joshi Puroresu (JWP), Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out (JTO) and Ice Ribbon.
Hiroo Tsumaki (妻木洋夫, Tsumaki Hiroo) better known by his ring name Fuma (sometimes stylized in capital letters as FUMA)…
Hiroo Tsumaki (妻木洋夫, Tsumaki Hiroo) better known by his ring name Fuma (sometimes stylized in capital letters as FUMA) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to the Japanese promotion Pro-Wrestling Basara. He is also known for his tenure with DDT Pro-Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Hiroyo Matsumoto (松本 浩代, Matsumoto Hiroyo; born November 6, 1985) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently…
Hiroyo Matsumoto (松本 浩代, Matsumoto Hiroyo; born November 6, 1985) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. Emi Sakura gave her the nickname of Lady Destroyer (破壊する女, Hakai Suru Onna) because Matsumoto broke a wall in the Ichigaya arena during her Ice Ribbon debut. She is best known with other wrestling promotions such as Oz Academy and Seadlinnng. She graduated from Hiratsuka Konan High School in the Kanagawa Prefecture.
Hajime Ohara (Japanese: 大原 甫, Ōhara Hajime; ring name: 大原はじめ, born July 24, 1984) is a Japanese professional wrestler.…
Hajime Ohara (Japanese: 大原 甫, Ōhara Hajime; ring name: 大原はじめ, born July 24, 1984) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a one time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion and a six-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Ohara also previous working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico for several years as part of his training, mixing the lucha libre style of Mexico with the Japanese Puroresu style of wrestling. In Japan, Ohara is best known for his work in the Hustle, Smash and Wrestling New Classic (WNC).
Kenichi Sakai (坂井 謙一, Sakai Kenichi), (born May 25, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to…
Kenichi Sakai (坂井 謙一, Sakai Kenichi), (born May 25, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to Michinoku Pro Wrestling where he competes under the ring name Ken45° and is one half of the reigning Tohoku Tag Team Champions and UWA World Tag Team Champions with Kengo.
Kaori Yoneyama (米山 香織, Yoneyama Kaori; born February 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, working as a…
Kaori Yoneyama (米山 香織, Yoneyama Kaori; born February 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, working as a freelancer on the Japanese independent circuit. Yoneyama started her career in 1999, working with the JWP Joshi Puroresu promotion. During the following years, she became a one-time JWP Openweight Champion, a one-time JWP Junior Champion, a five-time JWP Tag Team Champion, a one-time Pure-J Openweight Champion and a three-time Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Champion. Notable titles she has held outside of JWP include All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling's AJW Championship and AJW Tag Team Championship, Ice Ribbon's International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, Big Japan Pro Wrestling's BJW Women's Championship, and NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling's High Speed Championship. In July 2011, Yoneyama announced that she would be ending her twelve-year career the following December. After a retirement tour, which took Yoneyama not only across the Japanese independent circuit, but also to the United States, she announced during her retirement ceremony that she had changed her mind and decided to continue her career. In January 2013, Yoneyama quit JWP to become a freelancer, working for promotions such as Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling, Oz Academy, Union Pro Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Kohei Suwama (諏訪間 幸平, Suwama Kōhei; born November 23, 1976), also known mononymously as Suwama (諏訪魔, Suwa Ma; literally…
Kohei Suwama (諏訪間 幸平, Suwama Kōhei; born November 23, 1976), also known mononymously as Suwama (諏訪魔, Suwa Ma; literally translated to "Suwa Evil Spirit"), is a Japanese professional wrestler and executive. He is the founder and president of Pro Wrestling Evolution, which was created in 2023. He is also signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former record eight-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and an eight-time World Tag Team Champion. He was also part of AJPW's board of directors until his departure in early 2025 to focus on Evolution. Debuting in 2004 at the age of 27 under Hiroshi Hase and Kaz Hayashi in the AJPW Dojo, Suwama was seen as the spiritual successor to then-president Keiji Muto, until he turned on him in 2006 to join Voodoo Murders (VDM). Upon dropping his first name and joining VDM, he teamed with both leader Taru and Satoshi Kojima on numerous occasions. He left VDM in 2008 to represent AJPW, and, after winning the Champion Carnival that year, won his first Triple Crown title against Osamu Nishimura. In the years following his first Triple Crown title, he rose to become the legitimate ace of the promotion, winning multiple more Triple Crown and Tag championships. His meteoric rise led to him becoming known in AJPW as both The Emperor and the Next Jumbo. He founded the Evolution stable, which was first known as Last Revolution, in 2012. Within this time, he had been quietly dropped as the ace of AJPW, being replaced by the younger Kento Miyahara. The rivalry between Suwama and Miyahara between 2016 and 2019, and again in 2022, was a pivotal point in AJPW's successes in the mid-to-late 2010s. He formed the Violent Giants (暴走大巨人, Bōsō Dai Kyojin; Japanese for "Runaway Giants") with former DDT and BJW star Shuji Ishikawa; they won four World Tag Team titles and three consecutive Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Awards between 2017 and 2019 during their run as a tag team. He won the 2016 and 2017 Ōdō Tournaments, and won three World's Strongest Tag Determination Leagues (once with Joe Doering, once with Miyahara, and once with Ishikawa). Since 2008, he has won eight Triple Crown titles and eight World Tag Team titles, becoming one of the winniest competitors in AJPW, surpassing even Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada for championships combined.
Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro; born December 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New…
Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro; born December 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a founding member of the now-defunct Chaos stable. He also makes additional appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Conglomeration. He is also known for his work with the independent Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling (Riki Pro) promotion, where he worked backstage as the chairman. Though pushed for most of his career as an undercarder without any major championship wins, Ishii gathered a cult following, and in February 2013 was called "probably [one of the] most underrated guys in the business" by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Ishii's status in NJPW finally began rising in early 2013, culminating in him winning his first title in the promotion, the NEVER Openweight Championship, in February 2014, a title he would later win a record six times. He went on to capture the IWGP Tag Team Championship on two occasions, the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship three times, and the Strong Openweight Championship once. Through NJPW's working relationship with the American Ring of Honor (ROH) and the British Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) promotions, he has also won the ROH World Television Championship once and is a two-time Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion.
Masatsugu Nakazawa (中澤 公胤, Nakazawa Masatsugu; born October 8, 1975), better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa…
Masatsugu Nakazawa (中澤 公胤, Nakazawa Masatsugu; born October 8, 1975), better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa (中澤マイケル, Nakazawa Maikeru), is a Japanese professional wrestler and judoka signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Shinya Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya; born September 29, 1972), better known by his ring name Togi Makabe (真壁 刀義…
Shinya Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya; born September 29, 1972), better known by his ring name Togi Makabe (真壁 刀義, Makabe Tōgi) is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, two-time NEVER Openweight Champion and one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. Debuting in 1997, Makabe originally wrestled under his birthname as a junior heavyweight (100 kilograms (220 lb), before gaining several kilograms during a global excursion in 2001 and 2002. He changed his given name to "Togi" during the 2004 G1 Climax tournament. His status in New Japan rose significantly in 2007, making it to the finals of the New Japan Cup and the semifinals of the G1 Climax, and challenging Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. After a number of unsuccessful challenges at the title, Makabe finally won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on May 3, 2010, by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. Makabe's wrestling style and character is heavily influenced by the late Bruiser Brody. Known as the "Unchained Gorilla", Makabe is known for his violent, bloody style of wrestling, often illegally employing steel chairs and chains into his offense, including a lariat with a chain wrapped around his arm (like Brody). He also uses Brody's Japan theme "Immigrant Song" (albeit a cover made by Tomoyasu Hotei) as his own.
Minoru Suzuki (鈴木 実, Suzuki Minoru; ring name: 鈴木 みのる) (born June 17, 1968) is a Japanese professional wrestler and…
Minoru Suzuki (鈴木 実, Suzuki Minoru; ring name: 鈴木 みのる) (born June 17, 1968) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. Despite being a freelancer for most of his career, he has worked for the largest promotions in Japan: New Japan Pro-Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah and DDT Pro-Wrestling. He also made appearances for promotions outside Japan, like Major League Wrestling (MLW), Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), TNA Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH). Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s, he was widely considered one of the best fighters in the world and was the second King of Pancrase world champion. Suzuki returned to puroresu in 2003, when he has become a perennial top contender for all major Japanese heavyweight championships. He is also known for his time in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is two-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, and Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a former GHC Tag Team Champion along with Naomichi Marufuji. A mixed martial arts pioneer, Suzuki is well noted for his catch wrestling, and has been praised many times by elite fighters such as Josh Barnett, Bas Rutten, and Ken Shamrock for his grappling and submission skills.
Shinobu Kandori (神取 忍, Kandori Shinobu; born October 30, 1964) is a Japanese politician, professional wrestler and…
Shinobu Kandori (神取 忍, Kandori Shinobu; born October 30, 1964) is a Japanese politician, professional wrestler and retired judoka. She serves as a member of the House of Councillors, representing the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Yokohama, Kanagawa, she ran unsuccessfully for the House of Councillors in 2004 but was allowed to join the house in 2006 when Heizo Takenaka, a member of the house, resigned. As a professional wrestler she worked for several women's promotions from the 1980s to the 2000s, including Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling and its offshoot, Ladies' Legend Pro-Wrestling (LLPW), of which she became the president in 2002. She held several championships, including the LLPW Singles Championship in 1993 and 1997, and the WWWA World Single Championship in 1998. During her career, Kandori also had some hardcore matches. On March 14, 1997, Kandori had a bloody deathmatch, where the ring ropes were replaced with barbed wire, against Megumi Kudo in FMW.
Tamon Honda (本田 多聞, Honda Tamon) (born August 15, 1963) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and former Olympic…
Tamon Honda (本田 多聞, Honda Tamon) (born August 15, 1963) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and former Olympic amateur wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah. Championships held by Honda include the All Asia Tag Team Championship and GHC Tag Team Championship.
Masaru Yamamoto (山本 勝, Yamamoto Masaru; October 30, 1941 – August 28, 2010), known by his ring name Kotetsu Yamamoto…
Masaru Yamamoto (山本 勝, Yamamoto Masaru; October 30, 1941 – August 28, 2010), known by his ring name Kotetsu Yamamoto (山本小鉄, Yamamoto Kotetsu) was a Japanese professional wrestler, referee, and color commentator for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He was named "Kotetsu" ("Little Iron") by former Japanese pro wrestler Toyonobori after the famous knight, Aizu-No-Kotetsu. Originally a wrestler, Yamamoto was mostly known for his tag team the Yamaha Brothers with Kantaro Hoshino but made his biggest mark as a trainer in the New Japan Dojo having helped train Keiji Mutoh, Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru Suzuki, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Masahiro Chono among others.
Kanji Higuchi (樋口 寛治, Higuchi Kanji; January 19, 1929 – November 8, 2010), better known as Joe Higuchi (ジョー樋口, Jō…
Kanji Higuchi (樋口 寛治, Higuchi Kanji; January 19, 1929 – November 8, 2010), better known as Joe Higuchi (ジョー樋口, Jō Higuchi) was a Japanese professional wrestler, road agent, on-air personality and referee best known for his tenures with the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and All Japan Pro-Wrestling. The first official Japanese referee in the NWA, he was known as one of the best referees in the business and the most popular referee in Japanese Puroresu history. He was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum as a member of the Class of 2018.