Episode 139: There's a Law to It

August 26, 2026

"As you get older, time feels like it passes much faster."

It's a common saying, but did you know there's actually a name for it called Janet's Law? I certainly didn't. Yep, it popped up when I was researching it. Even after becoming President, I'm still constantly learning (￣(工)￣).

It's a concept proposed by 19th-century French philosopher Paul Janet. To put it simply, "the perceived weight of a year is determined as a fraction of the total years you have lived."

For a 5-year-old child, one year is a 1/5th of their entire life. But for a 49-year-old like me, one year is just 1/49th. Even though it's the exact same 365 days, the perceived weight feels completely different.

Applying this to a year in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, it fits surprisingly well.

Starting from January 4th at the Tokyo Dome, moving to February's Lucha fiesta FANTASTICA MANIA, March's NEW JAPAN CUP, Golden Week's Wrestling Dontaku, June's DOMINION at Osaka-jo Hall, and then into the summer enthusiasm of the G1 CLIMAX.

Up until this point, each and every event can be savoured thoroughly as we move forward. It's a period where there's enough breathing room to slowly digest the crowd's energy at the venues and the wrestlers' passion individually.

Come to think of it, my own active career was the same way. The year I debuted versus a year as a veteran felt entirely different in length. Back in those early days, every single match felt tremendously long and dense.

However, the moment the G1 ends, the hands of the clock accelerate all at once. September in Kobe, autumn in Ryogoku, and before you even notice, it's already the end of the year and 1.4 Tokyo Dome time.

"It's already Dome season?!!"

I feel like I say the exact same thing every single year. During this time of year, I personally experience the "denominator" getting bigger and bigger.

That's precisely why we have to cherish every single minute and second, doesn't it?

Even if we can't resist the flow of time itself, it's about the "density" of every moment. To live densely. In Tanahashi terms:

【Living at Full Power】

Perhaps that's the best way to reclaim our sense of time.

And that remains true whether inside the ring or in the presidential office. After a day where I've given it my absolute all, I think to myself, "Man, I really lived today." Wait, does that sound weird (laughs)?

So with that said, everyone please give today your absolute all. See you again in tomorrow's column...

Ja-ne- ♪ (See ya!)