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 on October 6, 2025, and has been reigning for 215 days.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title History

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns

N.	Champion	Reign
99	DOUKI 2 October 6, 2025 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Road to King of Pro-Wrestling 2025	215+ days
98	El Desperado 5 January 4, 2025 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19	275 days
97	DOUKI 1 July 5, 2024 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW New Japan Soul 2024	183 days
96	El Desperado 4 June 16, 2024 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW New Japan Soul 2024	19 days
95	SHO 1 February 23, 2024 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW The New Beginning 2024	114 days
94	El Desperado 3 January 4, 2024 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18	50 days
93	Hiromu Takahashi 5 January 4, 2023 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17	365 days
92	Taiji Ishimori 3 May 1, 2022 Fukuoka, Japan \| NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022	248 days
91	El Desperado 2 November 6, 2021 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Power Struggle 2021	176 days
90	Robbie Eagles 1 July 25, 2021 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome	104 days
89	El Desperado 1 February 28, 2021 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Castle Attack Defeated El Phantasmo and BUSHI in a 3-way match to win the vacant title.	147 days
	Vacant February 25, 2021 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
87	Taiji Ishimori 2 August 29, 2020 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Summer Struggle in Jingu (2020)	129 days
86	Hiromu Takahashi 3 January 4, 2020 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14	238 days
85	Will Ospreay 3 June 9, 2019 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2019)	209 days
84	Dragon Lee 1 April 6, 2019 New York City, NY \| ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard	64 days
83	Taiji Ishimori 1 January 4, 2019 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13	92 days
82	Kushida 6 October 8, 2018 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2018 Defeated Marty Scurll to win the vacant title.	88 days
	Vacant August 20, 2018 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
80	Will Ospreay 2 January 4, 2018 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12	156 days
79	Marty Scurll 1 November 5, 2017 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Power Struggle 2017	60 days
78	Will Ospreay 1 October 9, 2017 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2017	27 days
77	Kushida 5 June 11, 2017 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall (2017)	120 days
76	Hiromu Takahashi 1 January 4, 2017 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11	158 days
75	Kushida 4 November 5, 2016 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Power Struggle 2016	60 days
74	BUSHI 1 September 17, 2016 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Destruction 2016	49 days
73	Kushida 3 January 4, 2016 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10	257 days
72	Kenny Omega 2 September 23, 2015 Okayama, Japan \| NJPW Destruction 2015	103 days
71	Kushida 2 July 5, 2015 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall (2015)	80 days
70	Kenny Omega 1 January 4, 2015 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9	182 days
69	Ryusuke Taguchi 2 September 21, 2014 Kobe, Japan \| NJPW Destruction 2014	105 days
68	Kushida 1 July 4, 2014 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Kizuna Road 2014	79 days
67	Kota Ibushi 3 January 4, 2014 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8	181 days
66	Prince Devitt 3 November 11, 2012 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Power Struggle 2012	419 days
65	Low Ki 3 October 8, 2012 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2012	34 days
64	Kota Ibushi 2 July 29, 2012 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Last Rebellion	71 days
63	Low Ki 2 May 3, 2012 Fukuoka, Japan \| NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2012	87 days
62	Prince Devitt 2 September 19, 2011 Kobe, Japan \| Kantaro Hoshino Memorial Show Defeated KUSHIDA to win the vacant title.	227 days
	Vacant September 12, 2011 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
60	Prince Devitt 1 June 19, 2010 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Dominion 6.19 (2010)	364 days
59	Naomichi Marufuji 1 January 4, 2010 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom IV	166 days
58	Tiger Mask (IV) 6 November 8, 2009 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Destruction '09	57 days
57	Místico 1 August 15, 2009 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW G1 Climax 2009 Finals	85 days
56	Tiger Mask (IV) 5 January 4, 2009 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III	223 days
55	Low Ki 1 September 21, 2008 Kobe, Japan \| NJPW Circuit2008 New Japan Generation	105 days
54	Tiger Mask (IV) 4 July 8, 2008 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW New Japan Trill Defeated Prince Devitt in a tournament final to win the vacant title.	75 days
	Vacant June 16, 2008 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
52	Ryusuke Taguchi 1 July 6, 2007 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Circuit2007 New Japan Soul - C.T.U Farewell Tour	155 days
51	Minoru 4 December 24, 2006 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Battle XMas! Catch The Victory 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
49	Tiger Mask (IV) 3 February 19, 2006 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Circuit2006 Acceleration	73 days
48	Black Tiger (IV) 1 October 8, 2005 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Toukon Souzou New Chapter	134 days
47	Tiger Mask (IV) 2 January 4, 2005 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Toukon Festival - Wrestling World 2005	277 days
46	Heat 3 December 14, 2003 Nagoya, Japan \| NJPW Battle Final 2003 Previously known as Minoru Tanaka.	387 days
45	Jado 1 October 13, 2003 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Ultimate Crush II Won a battle royal to win the vacant title.	62 days
	Vacant September 23, 2003 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
43	Koji Kanemoto 4 July 19, 2002 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW Summer Fight Series 2002	278 days
42	Minoru Tanaka 2 February 16, 2002 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Fighting Spirit 2002 Defeated Masahito Kakihara to win the vacant title.	153 days
	Vacant February 1, 2002 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
40	Masayuki Naruse 1 July 20, 2001 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW Dome-Quake	80 days
39	Minoru Tanaka 1 October 29, 2000 Kobe, Japan \| NJPW GET A RIGHT!! BLACK VS. G-EGGS	264 days
38	Tatsuhito Takaiwa 1 July 20, 2000 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW Summer Struggle 2000	101 days
37	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 11 December 6, 1999 Milwaukee, WI \| WCW Nitro 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
35	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 10 October 11, 1999 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Final Dome 1999	49 days
34	Kendo Kashin 1 August 28, 1999 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW GIngu Climax - Battle of Last Summer	44 days
33	Koji Kanemoto 3 March 17, 1999 Hiroshima, Japan \| NJPW Hyper Battle 1999	164 days
32	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 9 February 7, 1998 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW Fighting Spirit 1998	403 days
31	Shinjiro Otani 1 August 10, 1997 Nagoya, Japan \| NJPW The Four Heaven in Nagoya Dome 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
29	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 8 January 4, 1997 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestling World 1997	183 days
28	Ultimate Dragon 2 October 11, 1996 Osaka, Japan \| Osaka Crush Night	85 days
27	The Great Sasuke 1 April 29, 1996 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Battle Formation 1996 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
25	Koji Kanemoto 2 June 14, 1995 Tokyo, Japan \| Fighting Spirit Legend	204 days
24	Sabu 1 May 3, 1995 Fukuoka, Japan \| NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 1995	42 days
23	Koji Kanemoto 1 February 19, 1995 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Fighting Spirit 1995	73 days
22	Norio Honaga 3 September 27, 1994 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW G1 Climax Special 1994 Defeated Wild Pegasus in a tournament final to win the vacant title.	145 days
	Vacant September 24, 1994 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
20	Último Dragón 1 November 22, 1992 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Wrestling Scramble 1992 - Battle Zone Space	43 days
19	El Samurai 1 June 26, 1992 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Masters of Wrestling: DRAGON THE REVIVAL	149 days
18	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 5 February 8, 1992 Sapporo, Japan \| NJPW Fighting Spirit 1992	139 days
17	Norio Honaga 2 November 5, 1991 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Tokyo 3Days Battle	95 days
16	Akira Nogami 1 August 9, 1991 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Violent Storm in Kokugikan - G1 Climax (1991) Finals	88 days
15	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 4 June 12, 1991 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Fighting Connection - Ultra-High and Mighty Declaration II	58 days
14	Norio Honaga 1 April 30, 1991 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Explosion Tour 1991 - Top of the Super Jr. II Finals 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 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
12	Pegasus Kid 1 August 19, 1990 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Summer Night Fever II	74 days
11	Jushin "Thunder" Liger 2 January 31, 1990 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW New Spring Gold Series 1990	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
9	Jushin Liger 1 May 25, 1989 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW Battle Satellite - Prolympic in Osaka Castle Hall	77 days
8	Hiroshi Hase 2 March 16, 1989 Yokohama, Japan \| NJPW Big Fight Series 1989	70 days
7	Shiro Koshinaka 3 June 24, 1988 Osaka, Japan \| NJPW IWGP Champion Series 1988	265 days
6	Owen Hart 1 May 27, 1988 Sendai, Japan \| NJPW IWGP Champion Series 1988	28 days
5	Hiroshi Hase 1 December 27, 1987 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Year End in Kokugikan (1987): Inoki Toukon Live III	152 days
4	Kuniaki Kobayashi 1 August 20, 1987 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW Summer Night Fever in Kokugikan Defeated Nobuhiko Takada to win the vacant title.	129 days
	Vacant August 2, 1987 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
2	Nobuhiko Takada 1 May 19, 1986 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW IWGP Champion Series: IWGP League '86 Finals	123 days
1	Shiro Koshinaka 1 February 6, 1986 Tokyo, Japan \| NJPW New Year Dash 1986: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title League Finals 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
PromotionNJPWBrand 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	from	to
PromotionNJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	February 6, 1986	Present

Promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling
TerritoryWorld Tier 1
DivisionSecondary
GenderMale
Date EstablishedFebruary 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
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

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

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns

DOUKI 2

El Desperado 5

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

Hiromu Takahashi 4

Taiji Ishimori 2

Hiromu Takahashi 3

Will Ospreay 3

Dragon Lee 1

Taiji Ishimori 1

Kushida 6

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

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

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

Tiger Mask (IV) 1

Koji Kanemoto 4

Minoru Tanaka 2

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

Ultimate Dragon 2

The Great Sasuke 1

Jushin "Thunder" Liger 7

Koji Kanemoto 2

Sabu 1

Koji Kanemoto 1