NJPWNJPW
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship History
Complete list of every IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship reign — who held it, when they won it, and how long they kept it. Established Feb 6, 1986.
Current Champion
99
Total Reigns
46
Champions
628
Longest (days)
Jushin Thunder Liger
Jushin Thunder Liger
11×
Most Reigns
Jushin Thunder Liger
Jushin Thunder Liger
Full Title Lineage
| # | Champion | Won | Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | DOUKI2nd reign CURRENT | Oct 6, 2025 | 250+ days |
| 98 | El Desperado5th reign | Jan 4, 2025Wrestle Kingdom 19Tokyo, Japan | 275 days |
| 97 | DOUKI1st reign | Jul 5, 2024New Japan Soul 2024Tokyo, Japan | 183 days |
| 96 | El Desperado4th reign | Jun 16, 2024New Japan Soul 2024Sapporo, Japan | 19 days |
| 95 | SHO | Feb 23, 2024The New Beginning 2024Sapporo, Japan | 114 days |
| 94 | El Desperado3rd reign | Jan 4, 2024Wrestle Kingdom 18Tokyo, Japan | 50 days |
| 93 | Hiromu Takahashi5th reign A 365-day reign. | Jan 4, 2023Wrestle Kingdom 17Tokyo, Japan | 365 days |
| 92 | Taiji Ishimori3rd reign | May 1, 2022Wrestling Dontaku 2022Fukuoka, Japan | 248 days |
| 91 | El Desperado2nd reign | Nov 6, 2021Power Struggle 2021Osaka, Japan | 176 days |
| 90 | Robbie Eagles | Jul 25, 2021Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan | 104 days |
| 89 | El Desperado1st reign Defeated El Phantasmo and BUSHI in a three-way for the vacant title. | Feb 28, 2021Castle AttackOsaka, Japan | 147 days |
| 88 | Hiromu Takahashi4th reign ↳ Vacated after Takahashi suffered a pectoral muscle injury. | Jan 5, 2021Wrestle Kingdom 15Tokyo, Japan | 51 days |
| 87 | Taiji Ishimori2nd reign | Aug 29, 2020Summer Struggle in Jingu (2020)Tokyo, Japan | 129 days |
| 86 | Hiromu Takahashi3rd reign | Jan 4, 2020Wrestle Kingdom 14Tokyo, Japan | 238 days |
| 85 | Will Ospreay3rd reign | Jun 9, 2019Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2019)Osaka, Japan | 209 days |
| 84 | Dragon Lee Won at the ROH and NJPW co-promoted show at Madison Square Garden. | Apr 6, 2019G1 SupercardNew York, NY | 64 days |
| 83 | Taiji Ishimori1st reign | Jan 4, 2019Wrestle Kingdom 13Tokyo, Japan | 92 days |
| 82 | Kushida6th reign Defeated Marty Scurll for the vacant title. | Oct 8, 2018King of Pro-Wrestling 2018Tokyo, Japan | 88 days |
| 81 | Hiromu Takahashi2nd reign ↳ Vacated after Takahashi suffered a neck injury. | Jun 9, 2018Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2018)Osaka, Japan | 72 days |
| 80 | Will Ospreay2nd reign | Jan 4, 2018Wrestle Kingdom 12Tokyo, Japan | 156 days |
| 79 | Marty Scurll | Nov 5, 2017Power Struggle 2017Osaka, Japan | 60 days |
| 78 | Will Ospreay1st reign | Oct 9, 2017King of Pro-Wrestling 2017Tokyo, Japan | 27 days |
| 77 | Kushida5th reign | Jun 11, 2017Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall (2017)Osaka, Japan | 120 days |
| 76 | Hiromu Takahashi1st reign | Jan 4, 2017Wrestle Kingdom 11Tokyo, Japan | 158 days |
| 75 | Kushida4th reign | Nov 5, 2016Power Struggle 2016Osaka, Japan | 60 days |
| 74 | BUSHI | Sep 17, 2016Destruction 2016Tokyo, Japan | 49 days |
| 73 | Kushida3rd reign | Jan 4, 2016Wrestle Kingdom 10Tokyo, Japan | 257 days |
| 72 | Kenny Omega2nd reign | Sep 23, 2015Destruction 2015Okayama, Japan | 103 days |
| 71 | Kushida2nd reign | Jul 5, 2015Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall (2015)Osaka, Japan | 80 days |
| 70 | Kenny Omega1st reign | Jan 4, 2015Wrestle Kingdom 9Tokyo, Japan | 182 days |
| 69 | Ryusuke Taguchi2nd reign | Sep 21, 2014Destruction 2014Kobe, Japan | 105 days |
| 68 | Kushida1st reign | Jul 4, 2014Kizuna Road 2014Tokyo, Japan | 79 days |
| 67 | Kota Ibushi3rd reign | Jan 4, 2014Wrestle Kingdom 8Tokyo, Japan | 181 days |
| 66 | Prince Devitt3rd reign A 419-day reign. | Nov 11, 2012Power Struggle 2012Osaka, Japan | 419 days |
| 65 | Low Ki3rd reign | Oct 8, 2012King of Pro-Wrestling 2012Tokyo, Japan | 34 days |
| 64 | Kota Ibushi2nd reign | Jul 29, 2012Last RebellionTokyo, Japan | 71 days |
| 63 | Low Ki2nd reign | May 3, 2012Wrestling Dontaku 2012Fukuoka, Japan | 87 days |
| 62 | Prince Devitt2nd reign Defeated Kushida for the vacant title. | Sep 19, 2011Kantaro Hoshino Memorial ShowKobe, Japan | 227 days |
| 61 | Kota Ibushi1st reign ↳ Vacated after Ibushi was sidelined with a shoulder injury. | Jun 18, 2011Dominion 6.18 (2011)Osaka, Japan | 86 days |
| 60 | Prince Devitt1st reign The future Finn Balor; a 364-day reign. | Jun 19, 2010Dominion 6.19 (2010)Osaka, Japan | 364 days |
| 59 | Naomichi Marufuji | Jan 4, 2010Wrestle Kingdom IVTokyo, Japan | 166 days |
| 58 | Tiger Mask IV6th reign | Nov 8, 2009Destruction 2009Tokyo, Japan | 57 days |
| 57 | Místico | Aug 15, 2009G1 Climax 2009 FinalsTokyo, Japan | 85 days |
| 56 | Tiger Mask IV5th reign | Jan 4, 2009Wrestle Kingdom IIITokyo, Japan | 223 days |
| 55 | Low Ki1st reign | Sep 21, 2008Circuit2008 New Japan GenerationKobe, Japan | 105 days |
| 54 | Tiger Mask IV4th reign Defeated Prince Devitt in a tournament final for the vacant title. | Jul 8, 2008New Japan TrillTokyo, Japan | 75 days |
| 53 | Wataru Inoue ↳ Vacated when Inoue moved to the heavyweight division. | Dec 8, 2007New Japan AliveOsaka, Japan | 191 days |
| 52 | Ryusuke Taguchi1st reign | Jul 6, 2007New Japan Soul: C.T.U Farewell TourTokyo, Japan | 155 days |
| 51 | Minoru The wrestler formerly known as Minoru Tanaka and Heat. | Dec 24, 2006Battle Xmas! Catch the VictoryTokyo, Japan | 194 days |
| 50 | Koji Kanemoto5th reign | May 3, 2006New Japan Cup 2006 FinalsFukuoka, Japan | 235 days |
| 49 | Tiger Mask IV3rd reign | Feb 19, 2006Circuit2006 AccelerationTokyo, Japan | 73 days |
| 48 | Black Tiger IV Rocky Romero under the Black Tiger mask. | Oct 8, 2005Toukon Souzou New ChapterTokyo, Japan | 134 days |
| 47 | Tiger Mask IV2nd reign | Jan 4, 2005Wrestling World 2005Tokyo, Japan | 277 days |
| 46 | Heat The wrestler formerly known as Minoru Tanaka; a 387-day reign. | Dec 14, 2003Battle Final 2003Nagoya, Japan | 387 days |
| 45 | Jado Won a battle royal for the vacant title. | Oct 13, 2003Ultimate Crush IITokyo, Japan | 62 days |
| 44 | Tiger Mask IV1st reign ↳ Vacated so the title could be contested in a battle royal. | Apr 23, 2003Strong Energy 2003Hiroshima, Japan | 153 days |
| 43 | Koji Kanemoto4th reign | Jul 19, 2002Summer Fight Series 2002Sapporo, Japan | 278 days |
| 42 | Minoru Tanaka2nd reign Defeated Masahito Kakihara for the vacant title. | Feb 16, 2002Fighting Spirit 2002Tokyo, Japan | 153 days |
| 41 | Kendo Kashin2nd reign ↳ Vacated after Kashin left NJPW and returned the title to the IWGP Executive Committee. | Oct 8, 2001Indicate of NextTokyo, Japan | 116 days |
| 40 | Masayuki Naruse | Jul 20, 2001Dome-QuakeSapporo, Japan | 80 days |
| 39 | Minoru Tanaka1st reign | Oct 29, 2000Black vs G-EggsKobe, Japan | 264 days |
| 38 | Tatsuhito Takaiwa | Jul 20, 2000Summer Struggle 2000Sapporo, Japan | 101 days |
| 37 | Jushin Thunder Liger11th reign A record-extending eleventh reign, won in the United States; Psychosis substituted for the injured Guerrera in the title match. | Dec 6, 1999WCW NitroMilwaukee, WI | 227 days |
| 36 | Juventud Guerrera | Nov 29, 1999WCW NitroDenver, CO | 7 days |
| 35 | Jushin Thunder Liger10th reign | Oct 11, 1999Final Dome 1999Tokyo, Japan | 49 days |
| 34 | Kendo Kashin1st reign | Aug 28, 1999Battle of Last SummerTokyo, Japan | 44 days |
| 33 | Koji Kanemoto3rd reign | Mar 17, 1999Hyper Battle 1999Hiroshima, Japan | 164 days |
| 32 | Jushin Thunder Liger9th reign A 403-day reign. | Feb 7, 1998Fighting Spirit 1998Sapporo, Japan | 403 days |
| 31 | Shinjiro Otani In November 1997 Otani vacated the other J-Crown belts, effectively ending the J-Crown. | Aug 10, 1997The Four Heaven in Nagoya DomeNagoya, Japan | 181 days |
| 30 | El Samurai2nd reign | Jul 6, 1997Summer Struggle 1997Sapporo, Japan | 35 days |
| 29 | Jushin Thunder Liger8th reign | Jan 4, 1997Wrestling World 1997Tokyo, Japan | 183 days |
| 28 | Ultimate Dragon | Oct 11, 1996Osaka Crush NightOsaka, Japan | 85 days |
| 27 | The Great Sasuke In August 1996 the title was folded into the J-Crown, an eight-belt unified championship defended together. | Apr 29, 1996Battle Formation 1996Tokyo, Japan | 165 days |
| 26 | Jushin Thunder Liger7th reign | Jan 4, 1996Wrestling World 1996Tokyo, Japan | 116 days |
| 25 | Koji Kanemoto2nd reign | Jun 14, 1995Fighting Spirit LegendTokyo, Japan | 204 days |
| 24 | Sabu | May 3, 1995Wrestling Dontaku 1995Fukuoka, Japan | 42 days |
| 23 | Koji Kanemoto1st reign | Feb 19, 1995Fighting Spirit 1995Tokyo, Japan | 73 days |
| 22 | Norio Honaga3rd reign Defeated Wild Pegasus in a tournament final for the vacant title. | Sep 27, 1994G1 Climax Special 1994Osaka, Japan | 145 days |
| 21 | Jushin Thunder Liger6th reign A 628-day reign, the longest in the title history. ↳ Vacated after fracturing his left ankle. | Jan 4, 1993Fantastic Story in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan | 628 days |
| 20 | Último Dragón | Nov 22, 1992Wrestling Scramble 1992Tokyo, Japan | 43 days |
| 19 | El Samurai1st reign | Jun 26, 1992Masters of Wrestling: Dragon the RevivalTokyo, Japan | 149 days |
| 18 | Jushin Thunder Liger5th reign | Feb 8, 1992Fighting Spirit 1992Sapporo, Japan | 139 days |
| 17 | Norio Honaga2nd reign | Nov 5, 1991Tokyo 3Days BattleTokyo, Japan | 95 days |
| 16 | Akira Nogami | Aug 9, 1991G1 Climax 1991 FinalsTokyo, Japan | 88 days |
| 15 | Jushin Thunder Liger4th reign | Jun 12, 1991Ultra-High and Mighty Declaration IITokyo, Japan | 58 days |
| 14 | Norio Honaga1st reign Won the tournament final over Jushin Thunder Liger for the vacant title. | Apr 30, 1991Top of the Super Jr. II FinalsTokyo, Japan | 43 days |
| 13 | Jushin Thunder Liger3rd reign ↳ Vacated so a new champion could be decided in the Top of the Super Juniors tournament. | Nov 1, 1990Dream Tour 1990Tokyo, Japan | 165 days |
| 12 | Pegasus Kid The future Chris Benoit under a mask. | Aug 19, 1990Summer Night Fever IITokyo, Japan | 74 days |
| 11 | Jushin Thunder Liger2nd reign | Jan 31, 1990New Spring Gold Series 1990Osaka, Japan | 200 days |
| 10 | Naoki Sano | Aug 10, 1989Fighting Satellite 1989Tokyo, Japan | 174 days |
| 9 | Jushin Thunder Liger1st reign Billed simply as Jushin Liger before the Thunder was added to the name. | May 25, 1989Battle Satellite Prolympic in Osaka Castle HallOsaka, Japan | 77 days |
| 8 | Hiroshi Hase2nd reign | Mar 16, 1989Big Fight Series 1989Yokohama, Japan | 70 days |
| 7 | Shiro Koshinaka3rd reign | Jun 24, 1988IWGP Champion Series 1988Osaka, Japan | 265 days |
| 6 | Owen Hart | May 27, 1988IWGP Champion Series 1988Sendai, Japan | 28 days |
| 5 | Hiroshi Hase1st reign | Dec 27, 1987Inoki Toukon Live IIITokyo, Japan | 152 days |
| 4 | Kuniaki Kobayashi Defeated Nobuhiko Takada for the vacant title. | Aug 20, 1987Summer Night Fever in KokugikanTokyo, Japan | 129 days |
| 3 | Shiro Koshinaka2nd reign ↳ Vacated due to a right ankle injury. | Sep 19, 1986Challenge Spirit 1986Fukuoka, Japan | 317 days |
| 2 | Nobuhiko Takada | May 19, 1986IWGP League 86 FinalsTokyo, Japan | 123 days |
| 1 | Shiro Koshinaka1st reign Defeated The Cobra in a tournament final to become the first champion. | Feb 6, 1986IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title League FinalsTokyo, Japan | 102 days |
New Japan's junior heavyweight title and one of the most storied cruiserweight championships in the world, established in 1986 with Shiro Koshinaka as the inaugural champion. Jushin Thunder Liger defined the division with a record eleven reigns across three decades, including a 628-day run that is still the longest. Tiger Mask IV and Kushida sit second with six apiece. For a stretch in 1996 and 1997 the belt was folded into the eight-title J-Crown, and a pair of late-1990s changes even happened on WCW Nitro in the United States.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship — FAQ
DOUKI is the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, having won the title on Oct 6, 2025.
Shiro Koshinaka was the inaugural IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, winning it on Feb 6, 1986 at IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title League Finals.
Jushin Thunder Liger has the most reigns with 11.
Jushin Thunder Liger's reign beginning Jan 4, 1993 is the longest at 628 days.
There have been 99 reigns across 46 different champions since the title was established.