On this page, you find the full Title History for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, with all Championship Info, Statistics, the Belt Design changes through the years, and the full list of Title Reigns, along with dates, events, and reign durations.
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is contested in New Japan Pro Wrestling on the Junior Heavyweight brand, by men wrestlers.
The championship was first established on February 6, 1986, and the inaugural champion was Shiro Koshinaka.
The current champion is El Desperado, who won the title at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4, 2025, and has been reigning for 231 days.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title History
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns
N. Image Champion Reign 98 
El Desperado 5
- January 4, 2025
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19
- 231+ days
231+- days
97 
DOUKI 1
- July 5, 2024
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW New Japan Soul 2024
- 183 days
183- days
96 El Desperado 4
- June 16, 2024
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW New Japan Soul 2024
- 19 days
19- days
95 
SHO 1
- February 23, 2024
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW The New Beginning 2024
- 114 days
114- days
94 El Desperado 3
- January 4, 2024
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18
- 50 days
50- days
93 
Hiromu Takahashi 5
- January 4, 2023
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17
- 365 days
365- days
92 
Taiji Ishimori 3
- May 1, 2022
- Fukuoka, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022
- 248 days
248- days
91 El Desperado 2
- November 6, 2021
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Power Struggle 2021
- 176 days
176- days
90 
Robbie Eagles 1
- July 25, 2021
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome
- 104 days
104- days
89 El Desperado 1
- February 28, 2021
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Castle Attack
- 147 days
Defeated El Phantasmo and BUSHI in a 3-way match to win the vacant title.147- days
Vacant
- February 25, 2021
- 3 days
The title was vacated after Takahashi suffered a pectoral muscle injury.3- days
88 Hiromu Takahashi 4
- January 5, 2021
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15
- 51 days
51- days
87 
Taiji Ishimori 2
- August 29, 2020
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Struggle in Jingu (2020)
- 129 days
129- days
86 Hiromu Takahashi 3
- January 4, 2020
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14
- 238 days
238- days
85 
Will Ospreay 3
- June 9, 2019
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2019)
- 209 days
209- days
84 
Dragon Lee 1
- April 6, 2019
- New York City, NY
- | ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard
- 64 days
64- days
83 Taiji Ishimori 1
- January 4, 2019
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
- 92 days
92- days
82 
Kushida 6
- October 8, 2018
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2018
- 88 days
Defeated Marty Scurll to win the vacant title.88- days
Vacant
- August 20, 2018
- 49 days
The title was vacated after Takahashi suffered a neck injury.49- days
81 Hiromu Takahashi 2
- June 9, 2018
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2018)
- 72 days
72- days
80 Will Ospreay 2
- January 4, 2018
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
- 156 days
156- days
79 
Marty Scurll 1
- November 5, 2017
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Power Struggle 2017
- 60 days
60- days
78 Will Ospreay 1
- October 9, 2017
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2017
- 27 days
27- days
77 Kushida 5
- June 11, 2017
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall (2017)
- 120 days
120- days
76 Hiromu Takahashi 1
- January 4, 2017
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11
- 158 days
158- days
75 Kushida 4
- November 5, 2016
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Power Struggle 2016
- 60 days
60- days
74 
BUSHI 1
- September 17, 2016
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Destruction 2016
- 49 days
49- days
73 Kushida 3
- January 4, 2016
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10
- 257 days
257- days
72 
Kenny Omega 2
- September 23, 2015
- Okayama, Japan
- | NJPW Destruction 2015
- 103 days
103- days
71 Kushida 2
- July 5, 2015
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall (2015)
- 80 days
80- days
70 Kenny Omega 1
- January 4, 2015
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9
- 182 days
182- days
69 
Ryusuke Taguchi 2
- September 21, 2014
- Kobe, Japan
- | NJPW Destruction 2014
- 105 days
105- days
68 Kushida 1
- July 4, 2014
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Kizuna Road 2014
- 79 days
79- days
67 
Kota Ibushi 3
- January 4, 2014
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8
- 181 days
181- days
66 
Prince Devitt 3
- November 11, 2012
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Power Struggle 2012
- 419 days
419- days
65 
Low Ki 3
- October 8, 2012
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2012
- 34 days
34- days
64 Kota Ibushi 2
- July 29, 2012
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Last Rebellion
- 71 days
71- days
63 Low Ki 2
- May 3, 2012
- Fukuoka, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2012
- 87 days
87- days
62 Prince Devitt 2
- September 19, 2011
- Kobe, Japan | Kantaro Hoshino Memorial Show
- 227 days
Defeated KUSHIDA to win the vacant title.227- days
Vacant
- September 12, 2011
- 7 days
The title was vacated after Ibushi was sidelined with a shoulder injury.7- days
61 Kota Ibushi 1
- June 18, 2011
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Dominion 6.18 (2011)
- 86 days
86- days
60 
Prince Devitt 1
- June 19, 2010
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Dominion 6.19 (2010)
- 364 days
364- days
59 
Naomichi Marufuji 1
- January 4, 2010
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom IV
- 166 days
166- days
58 
Tiger Mask (IV) 6
- November 8, 2009
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Destruction '09
- 57 days
57- days
57 
Místico 1
- August 15, 2009
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax 2009 Finals
- 85 days
85- days
56 Tiger Mask (IV) 5
- January 4, 2009
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III
- 223 days
223- days
55 
Low Ki 1
- September 21, 2008
- Kobe, Japan
- | NJPW Circuit2008 New Japan Generation
- 105 days
105- days
54 
Tiger Mask (IV) 4
- July 8, 2008
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW New Japan Trill
- 75 days
Defeated Prince Devitt in a tournament final to win the vacant title.75- days
Vacant
- June 16, 2008
- 22 days
The title was vacated when Inoue moved to the heavyweight division.22- days
53 
Wataru Inoue 1
- December 8, 2007
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Circuit2007 New Japan Alive
- 191 days
191- days
52 Ryusuke Taguchi 1
- July 6, 2007
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Circuit2007 New Japan Soul - C.T.U Farewell Tour
- 155 days
155- days
51 
Minoru 4
- December 24, 2006
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Battle XMas! Catch The Victory
- 194 days
Previously known as Minoru Tanaka/Heat.194- days
50 
Koji Kanemoto 5
- May 3, 2006
- Fukuoka, Japan
- | NJPW New Japan Cup 2006 Finals
- 235 days
235- days
49 Tiger Mask (IV) 3
- February 19, 2006
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Circuit2006 Acceleration
- 73 days
73- days
48 
Black Tiger (IV) 1
- October 8, 2005
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Toukon Souzou New Chapter
- 134 days
134- days
47 Tiger Mask (IV) 2
- January 4, 2005
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Toukon Festival - Wrestling World 2005
- 277 days
277- days
46 
Heat 3
- December 14, 2003
- Nagoya, Japan
- | NJPW Battle Final 2003
- 387 days
Previously known as Minoru Tanaka.387- days
45 
Jado 1
- October 13, 2003
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Ultimate Crush II
- 62 days
Won a battle royal to win the vacant title.62- days
Vacant
- September 23, 2003
- 20 days
The title was vacated so it could be contested for in a battle royal.20- days
44 Tiger Mask (IV) 1
- April 23, 2003
- Hiroshima, Japan
- | NJPW Strong Energy 2003
- 153 days
153- days
43 
Koji Kanemoto 4
- July 19, 2002
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Fight Series 2002
- 278 days
278- days
42 
Minoru Tanaka 2
- February 16, 2002
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Fighting Spirit 2002
- 153 days
Defeated Masahito Kakihara to win the vacant title.153- days
Vacant
- February 1, 2002
- 15 days
Kashin left NJPW and returned the title to the IWGP Executive Committee.15- days
41 
Kendo Kashin 2
- October 8, 2001
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Indicate of Next
- 116 days
116- days
40 
Masayuki Naruse 1
- July 20, 2001
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW Dome-Quake
- 80 days
80- days
39 Minoru Tanaka 1
- October 29, 2000
- Kobe, Japan
- | NJPW GET A RIGHT!! BLACK VS. G-EGGS
- 264 days
264- days
38 
Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1
- July 20, 2000
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Struggle 2000
- 101 days
101- days
37 
Jushin "Thunder" Liger 11
- December 6, 1999
- Milwaukee, WI
- | WCW Nitro
- 227 days
Psychosis replaced Guerrera in the title defense due to Guerrera suffering a fractured right arm.227- days
36 
Juventud Guerrera 1
- November 29, 1999
- Denver, CO
- | WCW Nitro
- 7 days
7- days
35 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 10
- October 11, 1999
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Final Dome 1999
- 49 days
49- days
34 Kendo Kashin 1
- August 28, 1999
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW GIngu Climax - Battle of Last Summer
- 44 days
44- days
33 
Koji Kanemoto 3
- March 17, 1999
- Hiroshima, Japan
- | NJPW Hyper Battle 1999
- 164 days
164- days
32 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 9
- February 7, 1998
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW Fighting Spirit 1998
- 403 days
403- days
31 
Shinjiro Otani 1
- August 10, 1997
- Nagoya, Japan
- | NJPW The Four Heaven in Nagoya Dome
- 181 days
On November 5, 1997, Otani vacated all J-Crown belts but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, effectively ending the J-Crown.181- days
30 
El Samurai 2
- July 6, 1997
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Struggle 1997
- 35 days
35- days
29 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 8
- January 4, 1997
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestling World 1997
- 183 days
183- days
28 
Ultimate Dragon 2
- October 11, 1996
- Osaka, Japan | Osaka Crush Night
- 85 days
85- days
27 
The Great Sasuke 1
- April 29, 1996
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Battle Formation 1996
- 165 days
On August 5, 1996, Sasuke won an 8-man tournament to form the J-Crown, an octuple-belt championship that includes the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship; these titles were still considered separate, but were defended together.165- days
26 
Jushin "Thunder" Liger 7
- January 4, 1996
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestling World 1996
- 116 days
116- days
25 
Koji Kanemoto 2
- June 14, 1995
- Tokyo, Japan | Fighting Spirit Legend
- 204 days
204- days
24 
Sabu 1
- May 3, 1995
- Fukuoka, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 1995
- 42 days
42- days
23 Koji Kanemoto 1
- February 19, 1995
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Fighting Spirit 1995
- 73 days
73- days
22 
Norio Honaga 3
- September 27, 1994
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW G1 Climax Special 1994
- 145 days
Defeated Wild Pegasus in a tournament final to win the vacant title.145- days
Vacant
- September 24, 1994
- 3 days
Liger vacated the title due to fracturing his left ankle.3- days
21 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 6
- January 4, 1993
- Tokyo, Japan | Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome
- 628 days
628- days
20 Último Dragón 1
- November 22, 1992
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Wrestling Scramble 1992 - Battle Zone Space
- 43 days
43- days
19 
El Samurai 1
- June 26, 1992
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Masters of Wrestling: DRAGON THE REVIVAL
- 149 days
149- days
18 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 5
- February 8, 1992
- Sapporo, Japan
- | NJPW Fighting Spirit 1992
- 139 days
139- days
17 
Norio Honaga 2
- November 5, 1991
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Tokyo 3Days Battle
- 95 days
95- days
16 
Akira Nogami 1
- August 9, 1991
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Violent Storm in Kokugikan - G1 Climax (1991) Finals
- 88 days
88- days
15 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 4
- June 12, 1991
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Fighting Connection - Ultra-High and Mighty Declaration II
- 58 days
58- days
14 Norio Honaga 1
- April 30, 1991
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Explosion Tour 1991 - Top of the Super Jr. II Finals
- 43 days
Defeated Jushin Thunder Liger in the finals of the Top of the Super Juniors tournament to win the vacant title.43- days
Vacant
- April 15, 1991
- 15 days
Liger vacated the title so a new champion could be decided in the Top of the Super Juniors tournament.15- days
13 
Jushin "Thunder" Liger 3
- November 1, 1990
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Dream Tour 1990
- 165 days
165- days
12 
Pegasus Kid 1
- August 19, 1990
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Night Fever II
- 74 days
74- days
11 Jushin "Thunder" Liger 2
- January 31, 1990
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW New Spring Gold Series 1990
- 200 days
200- days
10 
Naoki Sano 1
- August 10, 1989
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Fighting Satellite 1989 - Japan-USA-USSR 3-Nation Competition Series - Part II
- 174 days
174- days
9 
Jushin Liger 1
- May 25, 1989
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW Battle Satellite - Prolympic in Osaka Castle Hall
- 77 days
77- days
8 
Hiroshi Hase 2
- March 16, 1989
- Yokohama, Japan
- | NJPW Big Fight Series 1989
- 70 days
70- days
7 
Shiro Koshinaka 3
- June 24, 1988
- Osaka, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP Champion Series 1988
- 265 days
265- days
6 
Owen Hart 1
- May 27, 1988
- Sendai, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP Champion Series 1988
- 28 days
28- days
5 Hiroshi Hase 1
- December 27, 1987
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Year End in Kokugikan (1987): Inoki Toukon Live III
- 152 days
152- days
4 
Kuniaki Kobayashi 1
- August 20, 1987
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW Summer Night Fever in Kokugikan
- 129 days
Defeated Nobuhiko Takada to win the vacant title.129- days
Vacant
- August 2, 1987
- 18 days
Koshinaka vacated the title due to injuring his right ankle.18- days
3 Shiro Koshinaka 2
- September 19, 1986
- Fukuoka, Japan
- | NJPW Challenge Spirit 1986
- 317 days
317- days
2 
Nobuhiko Takada 1
- May 19, 1986
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP Champion Series: IWGP League '86 Finals
- 123 days
123- days
1 
Shiro Koshinaka 1
- February 6, 1986
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW New Year Dash 1986: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title League Finals
- 102 days
Defeated The Cobra in a tournament final to become the first champion.102- days
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Names & Belt Designs
-
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 4, 2005
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 2, 2002January 3, 2005
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (Kendo Kashin)October 8, 2001February 1, 2002
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 4, 1996October 7, 2001
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 6, 1986January 3, 1996
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Statistics
-
Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
NJPWBrand
Junior Heavyweight
February 6, 1986 Present -
Defended With
- WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, J-Crown Unified Championship - J-Crown (August 5, 1996 - November 5, 1997)
- Promotion
New Japan Pro Wrestling
- GenderMale
- Title TypeWeight Class Title
- Date EstablishedFebruary 6, 1986
- First ChampionShiro Koshinaka
- Current ChampionEl Desperado
Most Number of Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jushin "Thunder" Liger | 11 |
| 2 | Tiger Mask (IV) | 6 |
| 3 | Kushida | 6 |
| 4 | Koji Kanemoto | 5 |
| 5 | Hiromu Takahashi | 5 |
| 6 | El Desperado | 5 |
Most Combined Days
| Rank | Wrestler | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Jushin "Thunder" Liger | 2245 | |
| Prince Devitt | 1010 | |
| Heat | 998 | |
| Koji Kanemoto | 954 | |
| Hiromu Takahashi | 884 |
Longest Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reign | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jushin "Thunder" Liger | January 4, 1993 - September 24, 1994 | 628 | |
| Prince Devitt | November 11, 2012 - January 4, 2014 | 419 | |
| Jushin "Thunder" Liger | February 7, 1998 - March 17, 1999 | 403 | |
| Heat | December 14, 2003 - January 4, 2005 | 387 | |
| Hiromu Takahashi | January 4, 2023 - January 4, 2024 | 365 |