New Japan Pro-Wrestling is a major federation in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it is the largest wrestling promotion in Japan and one of the largest in the world. Although attendance has declined in recent years, it still recorded a yearly attendance of approximately 50,000 fans higher than their closest rival Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2005 according to Weekly Fight. In October 2005, 51.5% of NJPW was sold to YUKE's Future Media Creators, an Osaka-based company that markets home videos and video games. NJPW has working agreements with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and Ring of Honor. It previously had a working agreement with World Championship Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
It has also been named Wrestling Observer Newsletter's "Promotion of the Year" 13
times, more than any other wrestling promotion in the world.
