Nagano residents wrestle for local revitalization

"Hey everyone, this is a good chance for a photo!" says a wrestler as he nervously walks on top of an iron barrier at a match venue in Nagano on May 26, prompting laughter from the audience. The closeness between wrestlers and fans is an attractive point for the group. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

"Let's get going! OK? One, two, three, Shinshu!" a wrestler yelled at a match venue in Nagano, prompting the audience to shout back, "Apple, apple!" Shinshu is the former provincial name of present-day Nagano Prefecture where apples are a local specialty. Such interactions are common between wrestlers and fans of the Shinshu Prowrestling Federation based in the city.

The group, led by a 46-year-old wrestler who goes by the name Great Mucha, aims to lift the spirits of the prefecture's residents. After graduating from a university in Tokyo, he worked at a foreign life insurance firm, among other jobs. When Great Mucha returned to his hometown of Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, he found the town to be lacking energy. Hoping to revitalize his hometown while utilizing his experience as an amateur wrestler from his university days, Great Mucha founded the Shinshu Prowrestling Federation in 2007.

The group's motto is "Safety first, emphasize the script, free admission, consider performing outside even on rainy days."

Masked Maruko, 47, prepares a meal at his Chinese restaurant in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. He says his customers cheer him on at bouts. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

In addition to putting on monthly bouts, the group's more than 30 members actively participate in local events, charity activities for child care facilities and other endeavors. They also help local tax offices promote the paying of taxes.

Shinshu Prowrestling counts among its members a systems engineer, a caregiver and an owner of a Chinese restaurant, and only four had previous experience in professional wrestling. To prevent injury, the wrestlers choreograph their performances.

The group's operational expenses are covered by donations from local companies, as well as lecture and performance fees earned by Great Mucha.

Giant Rare Bozu, 44, massages a customer in Nagano. The massage shop owner used to be a sumo wrestler, but retired due to injuries. "My daughter cheers me on, saying 'Come on, dad!' even though I'm masked because I can't show my face to the audience," he says. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Admission is free as the wrestlers want to attract spectators who previously had no interest in pro wrestling.

"Parents who come to our bouts accompanying their children often break a sweat as they end up shouting all together," said Great Mucha.

On June 2, the wrestlers appeared in costume at a festival held at a shopping street in Ueda's city center. The reason for their appearance: to solicit donations for child care facilities.

Great Mucha, right, solicits donations at a festival held in a shopping street in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, on June 2, saying, "There are about 500 children who live in child care facilities in the prefecture." (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

"We asked them to come to the festival because, like us, they want to revitalize the area," said Hiroyuki Sakai, a 56-year-old who helped start the festival and advises its organizing committee. "Both adults and children enjoy their shows, and they create positive feelings toward the town."

Wrestlers practice how to break their falls to prevent injury during bouts, in Nagano on May 25. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

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