NJPW Fans To No Longer Wear Masks

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, rules in Japan have been tighter and stricter than many other countries around the globe. In fact, to this day big events see attendees wearing masks. For professional wrestling, this has been the case ever since fans were allowed back into arenas to watch live events.

Only recently have fans been allowed to cheer and shout once again at shows after a previous no-cheering policy, but NJPW have now announced another step towards more normality. On their website, NJPW released this statement;

“Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 

Starting May 1 2023 at Road To Wrestling Dontaku in Beppu B-Con Plaza, the use of masks in venues will be left to individual discretion. Staff and wrestlers’ mask usage will also be left to the individual

New Japan Pro-Wrestling would like to offer our sincerest gratitude for the patience, courtesy and understanding of all event attendees in complying with venue rules and guidelines in recent years.

It is thanks to the cooperation of fans, municipal governments and venues that NJPW events are now held with 100% capacity and full cheering. There will also be information soon about fans being able to have closer contact with wrestlers at meet and greets and events. 

Starting May 1, fans will be allowed to cheer and converse without masks at NJPW events, but circumstances may lead venues to requiring masks in future; fans will be informed of any changes via our homepage and social media. 

In order to allow as many fans as possible to fully relax and enjoy NJPW live events this month we do require masks be used at events up to and including Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni April 30 in Kumamoto. 

Thank you.”

It is certainly nice to see a sense of normality starting to steadily return to the world and in professional wrestling too.