IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

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 a secondary title 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 DOUKI, who won the title at NJPW New Japan Soul 2024 on July 5, 2024, and has been reigning for 21 days.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title History

Promotions / Brands

Promotion from to
Promotion NJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight February 6, 1986 Present
Defended With
- WWF Light Heavyweight Championship - J-Crown ( August 5, 1996 - November 5, 1997)

Promotion	from	to
Promotion NJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	February 6, 1986	Present

Championship Names & Belt Designs
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship January 4, 2005
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship February 2, 2002 January 3, 2005
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (Kendo Kashin) October 8, 2001 February 1, 2002
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship January 4, 1996 October 7, 2001
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship February 6, 1986 January 3, 1996

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns

N.	Champion	Reign
97	DOUKI 1 July 5, 2024 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW New Japan Soul 2024 21+ days	21+ 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	Chris Benoit 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: Statistics

Promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling
Gender Male
Title Type Secondary Title
Date Established February 6, 1986

First ChampionShiro Koshinaka
Current ChampionDOUKI

Most Number of Reigns

Rank	Wrestler	Reigns
	Jushin Thunder Liger	11
	Tiger Mask (IV)	6
	Kushida	6
	Koji Kanemoto	5
	Hiromu Takahashi	5

Most Combined Days

Rank	Wrestler	Days
	Jushin Thunder Liger	2245
	Prince Devitt	1010
	Heat	998
	Koji Kanemoto	954
	Hiromu Takahashi	884

Longest Reigns

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

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title History

Promotions / Brands

Defended With

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns

DOUKI 1

El Desperado 4

SHO 1

El Desperado 3

Hiromu Takahashi 5

Taiji Ishimori 3

El Desperado 2

Robbie Eagles 1

El Desperado 1

Vacant

Hiromu Takahashi 4

Taiji Ishimori 2

Hiromu Takahashi 3

Will Ospreay 3

Dragon Lee 1

Taiji Ishimori 1

Kushida 6

Vacant

Hiromu Takahashi 2

Will Ospreay 2

Marty Scurll 1

Will Ospreay 1

Kushida 5

Hiromu Takahashi 1

Kushida 4

BUSHI 1

Kushida 3

Kenny Omega 2

Kushida 2

Kenny Omega 1

Ryusuke Taguchi 2

Kushida 1

Kota Ibushi 3

Prince Devitt 3

Low Ki 3

Kota Ibushi 2

Low Ki 2

Prince Devitt 2

Vacant

Kota Ibushi 1

Prince Devitt 1

Naomichi Marufuji 1

Tiger Mask (IV) 6

Místico 1

Tiger Mask (IV) 5

Low Ki 1

Tiger Mask (IV) 4

Vacant

Wataru Inoue 1

Ryusuke Taguchi 1

Minoru 4

Koji Kanemoto 5

Tiger Mask (IV) 3

Black Tiger (IV) 1

Tiger Mask (IV) 2

Heat 3

Jado 1

Vacant

Tiger Mask (IV) 1

Koji Kanemoto 4

Minoru Tanaka 2

Vacant

Kendo Kashin 2

Masayuki Naruse 1

Minoru Tanaka 1

Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1

Jushin Thunder Liger 11

Juventud Guerrera 1

Jushin Thunder Liger 10

Kendo Kashin 1

Koji Kanemoto 3

Jushin Thunder Liger 9

Shinjiro Otani 1

El Samurai 2

Jushin Thunder Liger 8