Episode 58: The Job Hunt

April 14, 2026

We’re well into April now.

A new school term! A new life! A fresh start! For those of you hitting the reset button—congratulations! It’s a brand-new beginning. Did you get off to a good start? Don’t worry if you didn’t. Honestly, if you can just get moving at some point during April, you’re already winning in my book. I’ll give you a gold star.

This spring, two new employees joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Both of them have prior work experience. When they came to my desk to introduce themselves, their eyes looked like they were overflowing with passion. Let’s work hard together!

Speaking of starts, my own beginning with New Japan goes back... 29 years? 30 years?

It all began with the 1996 NJPW entrance tryouts. I think there were about 40 hopefuls. The test menu consisted of all the basics: Hindu squats, push-ups, bridges, and more. Among all of us, the one shouting the loudest was Wataru Inoue (who joined the staff after retiring). I was looking at the situation objectively, thinking, "If anyone passes, it’ll be either me or him." Hehehe... I was pretty confident! ♪

However, the final result was: 【No successful candidates】. Rumor has it that the examiners simply decided, "Eh, maybe not this year..." and that was that.

But "never giving up" is my best trait.

Next, I went to an NJPW event in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, which was close to where I was living in Kyoto. There, I made a fierce appeal to Mr. Tayama, who was a referee at the time: "Please, let me take the entrance test one more time!"

I was allowed to take it again by myself on a different day, but... failed once more. Gaaaaah!

But I still didn't give up! I made my body even bigger, drilled my basic training to perfection, and finally passed on my third try.

That is the long and short of my "job hunting" experience. When the acceptance notice from NJPW arrived, the first thing I thought was, "Yes! I’m the first one in my class to land a job! The fastest!" Afterward, I went straight to my university’s career center and submitted my job card with 【New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd.】 written on it. (Laughs).

Seeing these young people burning with hope reminds me of my younger self. And right now, I can feel my own motivation rising steadily! Just remembering the version of yourself from your most fulfilling days can be a great stimulus. It’s 【Self-sufficient motivation!】.

But, you know... when I stop and think about it calmly...

Failing the man who would eventually call himself "The Ace" and then go on to become the President of the company... I have to wonder what those examiners were thinking! (￣(工)￣)