According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, New Japan Pro Wrestling has made a historic hire, naming Harold Meij the new President of the company and the first foreigner to fill the position.
Meij, 54, who was born in the Netherlands and grew up in Japan, Indonesia, the United States and is a graduate of New York University, will be taking over as NJPW President on June 1st.
Meij previously worked as the Senior Vice President of Coca-Cola Japan from 2006 to 2014, and was President and CEO of Takara Tomy, a major toy company. During his time with Tomy, Meij took the company from operating at a financial loss to making it a profitable business.
Following the announcement of the new NJPW hire, Meij conducted an interview during which he outlined his goals as the new President of the promotion, and below are several interview translations and more about Meij:
Harold Meij understands that $$$ from distribution (TV rights, streaming) is much more easily grown than live event revenue. Trying to get near WWE’s financial success is a fruitless endeavor when ticket sales are your main income.
Also he understands the importance of hot boys. https://t.co/mlwMoQThsc
— Evan (@EvanDeadlySinsW) May 17, 2018
Harold Meij is the new #NJPW President. Lived in Japan 30+ yrs.”Turned around the largest Japanese toy company (#4 globally) from its largest loss in its 90 year history in 2014 to its historic highest profit in 2017″. pic.twitter.com/89tuEVdJ65
— Lavie Margolin (@Laviemarg) May 14, 2018
Harold Meij’s goals as NJPW President https://t.co/BKqS3qzqFc pic.twitter.com/wIXUeBZ49W
— chris charlton (@reasonjp) May 17, 2018
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter