[New Japan] new members for the board of directors (2002/06/17)

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

A meeting for stockholders was held on 6/17, and once again Seiji Sakaguchi and Tatsumi Fujinami were selected as the chairman and president respectively. Tetsuo Baisho was promoted to the vice president. Also, Masahiro Chono and Tatsuo Kawamura (UFO president) became the directors.

On the 18th, a new board member Chono had several comments to the press. In one of them, he criticized the old system which "ignored the wrestlers". He said he wanted to start a wrestler-centered system.

[OldSchoolFan]

As much as I've disliked his in ring work in recent years with the exception of a few matches, I'm glad chono is doing what he's doing. Chono can do whatever he wants as far as I'm concerend as long as he doesn't listen to inoki.

[Dangerous_K]

Chono is an excellent decision. He knows all about NJPW, hell, he was carrying the heavyweight division with Mutoh back in 1991. More Chono means less Inokiism, which cannot be anything but good.

[Luds]

I love what Chono is doing with the Juniors. The elimination matches are great... His booking has been good in general...

[Ganso]

I believe Jushin Liger is the booker for the Juniors. Though Chono might have some say with the matchmaking. But whoever it is, they are doing a pretty good job.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

In fact, it was Inoki who wanted Kawamura and Chono to become the directors.