NJPW Cancel Sakura Genesis And April 11 Show

The coronavirus pandemic has caused major disruption to Japanese professional wrestling. All promotions with the exception of Big Japan have cancelled shows and New Japan Pro-Wrestling was forced to cancel the entirety of the New Japan Cup.

Life appeared to be somewhat getting back to normal as Dragon Gate ran an empty arena show yesterday and 50,000 people took to the streets in Japan to see the Olympic flame. New Japan had been hoping to hold their first show in a month on March 31, but following the latest recommendations from the Japanese Ministry Of Health, the promotion announced earlier today they had cancelled Sakura Genesis and night one of the Road To Wrestling Dontaku tour on April 11.

NJPW released the following statement:

"Acting under the latest recommendations laid out by the Japanese Ministry of Health, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel Sakura Genesis, which was scheduled to take place Tuesday March 31 in Ryogoku Sumo Hall, and the Road to Dontaku event that was scheduled to take place in Sagamihara on  Saturday April 11.

"We deeply apologise to fans who were looking forward to these events. Ultimately, the health and safety of our fans, wrestlers and staff, as well as society at large is our utmost concern, and we will make announcements about events scheduled after April 11 upon careful monitoring of this developing situation.

"We will soon announce refund procedures for the affected events. Programs like the NJPW Together Project will continue to see wrestlers and staff come together to bring the best possible content to fans while we eagerly await the opportunity to entertain live crowds once more.

"Thank you for your continued support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling."