The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship(IWGPジュニアヘビー級王座, IWGP juniahebī-kyū ōza) is a professional wrestling world junior heavyweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix(インターナショナル・レスリング・グラン・プリ, intānashonaru resuringu guran puri). Only wrestlers under the junior heavyweight weight-limit may hold the championship. NJPW currently controls two junior heavyweight championships: the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. The weight-limit for the title is 100 kg (220 lb). The current champion is Douki, who is in his second reign.

History

The title was introduced on February 6, 1986, at a NJPW show.

Inaugural and three-time champion Shiro Koshinaka

From August 5, 1996, until November 5, 1997, the title was part of the J-Crown, or J-Crown Octuple Unified Championship. The J-Crown was an assembly of eight different championships from several different promotions. It was created on August 5, 1996, when The Great Sasuke won an eight-man tournament. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, the British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship, the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, the NWA World Welterweight Championship, the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship, the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship, the WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship, and the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship were the eight championships that were involved. On November 5, 1997, then-champion Shinjiro Otani vacated all J-Crown belts but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship after the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) retook control of its Light Heavyweight title, effectively ending the J-Crown.

On November 12, 2023, the title belt itself became a champion during DDT's Ultimate Party 2023 event, by winning the company's comedic Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship, which is defended under a 24/7 rule: during the event, Hiromu Takahashi, who was both IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion, successfully defended the latter title against Kazuki Hirata before laying in the ring. Because the Junior Heavyweight Championship belt was on Takahashi's chest when he did so, the referee counted this as a pinfall and declared the belt the new champion; Hirata quickly pinned the belt to win the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship, although the Junior Heavyweight Championship and its belt remained in Takahashi's possession.

Reigns

As of October 13, 2025, there have been a total of 99 reigns shared among 43 wrestlers with eight vacancies. Title changes happen mostly at NJPW-promoted events, as it has only changed hands at non-NJPW events twice. Reigns 36 and 37 occurred on World Championship Wrestling's Nitro television program, when Juventud Guerrera defeated Jushin Thunder Liger on November 29, 1999, and on December 6, 1999, when Liger retrieved the championship by defeating Guerrera's stand-in Psychosis. Shiro Koshinaka was the first champion in the title's history. Liger holds the record for most reigns with eleven, over which he has successfully defended the title 31 times, more than any champion. He also holds the record for the longest reign in the title's history at 628 days during his sixth reign. Guerrera's only reign of 7 days is the shortest in the title's history.

Douki is the current champion, in his second reign. He won the title by defeating El Desperado at Road to King of Pro Wrestling: Night 2 in Tokyo, Japan on October 6, 2025.

Key
No.Overall reign number
ReignReign number for the specific champion
DaysNumber of days held
DefensesNumber of successful defenses
+Current reign is changing daily
No.ChampionChampionship changeReign statisticsNotesRef.
DateEventLocationReignDaysDefenses
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW)
1Shiro KoshinakaFebruary 6, 1986New Year Dash 1986Tokyo, Japan11021Koshinaka defeated The Cobra in a tournament final to become the first champion.
2Nobuhiko TakadaMay 19, 1986IWGP Champion Series 1986Tokyo, Japan11236
3Shiro KoshinakaSeptember 19, 1986Challenge Spirit 1986Fukuoka, Japan23172
VacatedAugust 2, 1987Koshinaka vacated the championship due to injuring his right ankle.
4Kuniaki KobayashiAugust 20, 1987Summer Night Fever In KokugikanTokyo, Japan11291Kuniaki Kobayashi defeated Nobuhiko Takada to win the vacant championship.
5Hiroshi HaseDecember 27, 1987Year End in Kokugikan 1987Tokyo, Japan11523
6Owen HartMay 27, 1988IWGP Champion Series 1988Sendai, Japan1281
7Shiro KoshinakaJune 24, 1988IWGP Champion Series 1988Osaka, Japan32656
8Hiroshi HaseMarch 16, 1989Big Fight SeriesYokohama, Japan2700
9Jushin LigerMay 25, 1989Battle Satellite 1989 In Osaka DomeOsaka, Japan1772
10Naoki SanoAugust 10, 1989Fighting Satellite of 1989Tokyo, Japan11742
11Jushin Thunder LigerJanuary 31, 1990New Spring Gold Series 1990Osaka, Japan22001Previously known as Jushin Liger.
12Pegasus KidAugust 19, 1990Summer Night Fever IITokyo, Japan1740
13Jushin Thunder LigerNovember 1, 1990Dream Tour 1990Tokyo, Japan31652
VacatedApril 15, 1991Liger vacated the championship so a new champion could be decided in the Top of the Super Juniors tournament.
14Norio HonagaApril 30, 1991Explosion Tour 1991Tokyo, Japan1432Honaga defeated Jushin Thunder Liger in the finals of the Top of the Super Juniors tournament.
15Jushin Thunder LigerJune 12, 1991Fighting Connection ~ Ultra-High And Mighty Declaration II ~Tokyo, Japan4580
16Akira NogamiAugust 9, 1991Violent Storm in KokugikanTokyo, Japan1881
17Norio HonagaNovember 5, 1991Tokyo 3 Days BattleTokyo, Japan2951
18Jushin Thunder LigerFebruary 8, 1992NJPW Fighting Spirit 1992Sapporo, Japan51393
19El SamuraiJune 26, 1992Masters Of WrestlingTokyo, Japan11493
20Último DragónNovember 22, 1992Wrestling Scramble 1992Tokyo, Japan1431
21Jushin Thunder LigerJanuary 4, 1993Fantastic Story in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan66285
VacatedSeptember 24, 1994Liger vacated the championship due to fracturing his left ankle.
22Norio HonagaSeptember 27, 1994G1 Climax Special 1994Osaka, Japan31456Honaga defeated Wild Pegasus in a tournament final to win the vacant championship.
23Koji KanemotoFebruary 19, 1995Fighting Spirit 1995Tokyo, Japan1732
24SabuMay 3, 1995Wrestling Dontaku 1995Fukuoka, Japan1421
25Koji KanemotoJune 14, 1995Fighting Spirit LegendTokyo, Japan22042This match was also for Kanemoto's UWA World Welterweight Championship.
26Jushin Thunder LigerJanuary 4, 1996Wrestling WorldTokyo, Japan71162
27The Great SasukeApril 29, 1996Battle FormationTokyo, Japan11655On August 5, 1996, Sasuke won an 8-man tournament to form the J-Crown, an octuple-belt championship that includes the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title; these titles were still considered separate, but were defended together.
28Último DragónOctober 11, 1996Osaka Crush NightOsaka, Japan2857
29Jushin Thunder LigerJanuary 4, 1997Wrestling World 1997Tokyo, Japan81834Liger lost the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship from the J-Crown on June 6, 1997, but continued to defend the other 7 belts.
30El SamuraiJuly 6, 1997Summer Struggle 1997Sapporo, Japan2350
31Shinjiro OtaniAugust 10, 1997The Four Heaven in Nagoya DomeNagoya, Japan11815On November 5, 1997, Otani vacated all J-Crown belts but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title after the WWF retook control of its Light Heavyweight title, effectively ending the J-Crown.
32Jushin Thunder LigerFebruary 7, 1998Fighting Spirit 1998Sapporo, Japan94038
33Koji KanemotoMarch 17, 1999Hyper Battle 1999Hiroshima, Japan31643
34Kendo KashinAugust 28, 1999Jingu ClimaxTokyo, Japan1441
35Jushin Thunder LigerOctober 11, 1999Final DomeTokyo, Japan10491
36Juventud GuerreraNovember 29, 1999NitroDenver, Colorado, U.S.170
37Jushin Thunder LigerDecember 6, 1999NitroMilwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.112273Psychosis replaced Guerrera in the match due to Guerrera suffering a fractured right arm.
38Tatsuhito TakaiwaJuly 20, 2000Summer Struggle 2000Sapporo, Japan11012
39Minoru TanakaOctober 29, 2000Get a Right!!Kobe, Japan12642
40Masayuki NaruseJuly 20, 2001Dome QuakeSapporo, Japan1801
41Tokimitsu Ishizawa/Kendo KashinOctober 8, 2001Indicate of NextTokyo, Japan21162Won the title under the name Tokimitsu Ishizawa, but defended it under the name Kendo Kashin.
VacatedFebruary 1, 2002Kashin left NJPW and returned the title to the IWGP Championship Committee.
42Minoru TanakaFebruary 16, 2002Fighting Spirit 2002Tokyo, Japan21533Defeated Masahito Kakihara to win the championship.
43Koji KanemotoJuly 19, 2002Summer Fight Series 2002Sapporo, Japan42786
44Tiger MaskApril 23, 2003Strong Energy 2003Hiroshima, Japan11534
VacatedSeptember 23, 2003The championship was vacated so it could be contested for in a battle royal.
45JadoOctober 13, 2003Ultimate Crush IITokyo, Japan1621Jado defeated Dick Togo, El Samurai, Gedo, Heat, Jushin Thunder Liger, Katsushi Takemura, Koji Kanemoto, Masahito Kakihara, Masayuki Naruse and Tiger Mask in a battle royal to win the vacant championship.
46HeatDecember 14, 2003Battle Final 2003Nagoya, Japan338711Previously known as Minoru Tanaka.
47Tiger MaskJanuary 4, 2005Toukon Festival: Wrestling WorldTokyo, Japan22773
48Black TigerOctober 8, 2005Toukon Souzou New ChapterTokyo, Japan11341This match was also for Black Tiger's NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.
49Tiger MaskFebruary 19, 2006AccelerationTokyo, Japan3731This match was also for Black Tiger's NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.
50Koji KanemotoMay 3, 2006New Japan Cup 2006 SpecialFukuoka, Japan52351
51MinoruDecember 24, 2006Battle Xmas! Catch the VictoryTokyo, Japan41944Previously known as Minoru Tanaka/Heat.
52Ryusuke TaguchiJuly 6, 2007New Japan Soul C.T.U Farewell TourTokyo, Japan11554
53Wataru InoueDecember 8, 2007New Japan AliveOsaka, Japan11913
VacatedJune 16, 2008The championship was vacated when Inoue moved to the heavyweight division.
54Tiger MaskJuly 8, 2008New Japan TrillTokyo, Japan4750Tiger Mask defeated Prince Devitt in a tournament final to win the vacant championship.
55Low KiSeptember 21, 2008New Japan GenerationKobe, Japan11051
56Tiger MaskJanuary 4, 2009Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan52234
57MísticoAugust 15, 2009G1 Climax 2009: New Lords, New LawsTokyo, Japan1852
58Tiger MaskNovember 8, 2009Destruction '09Tokyo, Japan6570
59Naomichi MarufujiJanuary 4, 2010Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan11665
60Prince DevittJune 19, 2010Dominion 6.19Osaka, Japan13647
61Kota IbushiJune 18, 2011Dominion 6.18Osaka, Japan1862
VacatedSeptember 12, 2011The championship was vacated after Ibushi was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
62Prince DevittSeptember 19, 2011Kantaro Hoshino Memorial ShowKobe, Japan22274Devitt defeated Kushida to win the vacant championship.
63Low KiMay 3, 2012Wrestling DontakuFukuoka, Japan2871
64Kota IbushiJuly 29, 2012Last RebellionTokyo, Japan2712
65Low KiOctober 8, 2012King of Pro-WrestlingTokyo, Japan3340
66Prince DevittNovember 11, 2012Power StruggleOsaka, Japan34194
67Kota IbushiJanuary 4, 2014Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan31814
68KushidaJuly 4, 2014Kizuna Road 2014Tokyo, Japan1790
69Ryusuke TaguchiSeptember 21, 2014Destruction in KobeKobe, Japan21052
70Kenny OmegaJanuary 4, 2015Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan11823
71KushidaJuly 5, 2015Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo HallOsaka, Japan2801
72Kenny OmegaSeptember 23, 2015Destruction in OkayamaOkayama, Japan21031
73KushidaJanuary 4, 2016Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan32575
74BushiSeptember 17, 2016Destruction in TokyoTokyo, Japan1490
75KushidaNovember 5, 2016Power StruggleOsaka, Japan4600
76Hiromu TakahashiJanuary 4, 2017Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan11584
77KushidaJune 11, 2017Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo HallOsaka, Japan51202
78Will OspreayOctober 9, 2017King of Pro-WrestlingTokyo, Japan1270
79Marty ScurllNovember 5, 2017Power StruggleOsaka, Japan1600
80Will OspreayJanuary 4, 2018Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan21563This was a four-way match, also involving Hiromu Takahashi and Kushida.
81Hiromu TakahashiJune 9, 2018Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo HallOsaka, Japan2722
VacatedAugust 20, 2018The championship was vacated after Takahashi suffered a neck injury.
82KushidaOctober 8, 2018King of Pro-WrestlingTokyo, Japan6880Kushida won the vacant title in a match against Marty Scurll.
83Taiji IshimoriJanuary 4, 2019Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan1922
84Dragon LeeApril 6, 2019G1 SupercardNew York City, U.S.1641This was a three-way match, also involving Bandido.
85Will OspreayJune 9, 2019Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo HallOsaka, Japan32093
86Hiromu TakahashiJanuary 4, 2020Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan32381
87Taiji IshimoriAugust 29, 2020Summer Struggle in JinguTokyo, Japan21290
88Hiromu TakahashiJanuary 5, 2021Wrestle Kingdom 15 in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan4511
VacatedFebruary 25, 2021The championship was vacated after Takahashi suffered a pectoral muscle injury.
89El DesperadoFebruary 28, 2021Castle AttackOsaka, Japan11472Desperado won the vacant championship in a three-way match, also involving Bushi and El Phantasmo.
90Robbie EaglesJuly 25, 2021Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan11041
91El DesperadoNovember 6, 2021Power StruggleOsaka, Japan21763
92Taiji IshimoriMay 1, 2022Wrestling DontakuFukuoka, Japan32481
93Hiromu TakahashiJanuary 4, 2023Wrestle Kingdom 17Tokyo, Japan53657
94El DesperadoJanuary 4, 2024Wrestle Kingdom 18Tokyo, Japan3501
95ShoFebruary 23, 2024The New Beginning in SapporoSapporo, Japan11142
96El DesperadoJune 16, 2024New Japan Soul Night 1Sapporo, Japan4190This was a steel cage match.
97DoukiJuly 5, 2024New Japan Soul Night 7Tokyo, Japan11834
98El DesperadoJanuary 4, 2025Wrestle Kingdom 19Tokyo, Japan52758
99DoukiOctober 6, 2025Road to King of Pro Wrestling: Night 2Tokyo, Japan2192+3

Combined reigns

As of April 16, 2026.

Record eleven-time champion Jushin Thunder Liger also holds the records for longest reign at 628 days, longest combined reign at 2,245 days, and most combined defenses at 31.
Indicates the current champion
Rank[A]WrestlerNo. of reignsCombined defensesCombined days
1Jushin Liger/Jushin Thunder Liger11312,245
2Prince Devitt3151,010
3Heat/Minoru/Minoru Tanaka420998
4Koji Kanemoto514954
5Hiromu Takahashi515884
6Tiger Mask612858
7Shiro Koshinaka39702
8Kushida68684
9El Desperado514667
10Taiji Ishimori33469
11Will Ospreay36392
12Douki27375+
13Kota Ibushi38338
14Kenny Omega24285
15Norio Honaga39283
16Ryusuke Taguchi26260
17Low Ki32226
18Hiroshi Hase23222
19Wataru Inoue13191
20El Samurai23184
21Shinjiro Otani15181
22Naoki Sano12174
23Naomichi Marufuji15166
24The Great Sasuke5165
25Tokimitsu Ishizawa/Kendo Kashin23160
26Black Tiger11134
27Kuniaki Kobayashi11129
28Último Dragón28128
29Nobuhiko Takada16123
30Sho2114
31Robbie Eagles1104
32Tatsuhito Takaiwa2101
33Akira Nogami188
34Místico285
35Masayuki Naruse180
36Pegasus Kid074
37Dragon Lee164
38Jado162
39Marty Scurll060
40Bushi049
41Sabu142
42Owen Hart128
43Juventud Guerrera07

General

  • Benaka, Matt; Westcott, Brian; Zadarnowski, Andrew. . Wrestling Title Histories by Gary Will and Royal Duncan. Solie.org. from the original on 2015-09-10.
  • Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "Japan & Korea: New Japan IWGP Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 373. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  • . New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). NJPW.co.jp. from the original on 2020-08-06.

Specific

External links