New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced a major change in directorship today, as President/CEO Harold Meij is set to be replaced by current NJPW America CEO Takami Ohbari, who will officially take over the role near the end of October.
The new was shared via NJPW's official website:
“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)”
Some have taken Ohbari's promotion as an indication that we may see more of New Japan in the States moving forward (well, once things can move forward), but we don't know if he'll be staying on his current position while also taking over Meij's role.
Meij's running of the company came in for some backlash from NJPW purists, but there's no arguing with the figures, and ratings improved significantly when he took over in 2018 and began to feature more international talent.