Episode 114: Passing the Torch of the Sun

July 23, 2026

Did you see the cover of this week’s Weekly Pro-Wrestling? It had the headline "Hero of the Sun" right next to Yuya Uemura.

The second I saw it, my heart honestly skipped a beat. Because back when I was a young wrestler, I used to be called "The Genius Child of the Sun." I never expected another New Japan wrestler to come along bearing the title of the "Sun"...

When I looked into it, it seems that in New Japan’s 54-year history, I was the very first to put "the Sun" front and center (if there was anyone else, please let me know!).

In other words, I am, so to speak, the "Original Sun" of New Japan. And now, a new Sun has been born.

I retired from active competition this year. To put it in solar terms, that’s sunset.

However, before setting completely, I feel I was able to properly pass the light on to the next Sun.

Heh heh heh. You know, sunsets actually showcase the most beautiful colors of the entire day.

Uemura is currently right in the middle of G1 CLIMAX 36. That radiance when he steps into the ring—or rather, his power to illuminate everything around him—feels like it has grown even stronger.

I want him to become the presence that lights up New Japan going forward. Just as there are dawn suns, warm suns, and midsummer suns, I want Uemura to shine on New Japan in a way that only he can.

As for me, I still only predict "Sunny followed by Sunny."

And yet, I’m 100% confident I’ll never miss on that forecast.

Even when the sun sets, it doesn't disappear. It simply hands off the baton to the next sun.

Just how high will this sun named Yuya Uemura rise from here on out? Watching that unfold is one of my greatest pleasures now as President.

I look forward to keeping a close eye on the brilliance of this new Sun—squinting my already narrow eyes even narrower (￣(工)￣).