Tokyo Sports has reported that former New Japan Pro Wrestling booker Hisashi Shinma has passed away at the age of 90.
Shinma helped run the promotion’s business in the late 1970s and 1980s, even acting as the on-screen president of the World Wrestling Federation from 1978-1984 as part of a working relationship between the two companies.
In 2019, Shinma was recognized as a Legacy inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame, with the company posting the following tribute on their website:
WWE is saddened to learn that Hisashi Shinma has passed away.
Shinma was known as the on-show President of WWE in the late 1970s and early 1980s, preceding the administration of Jack Tunney.
Behind the scenes, he was known as a master booker. Assisting Antonio Inoki in bringing the legendary New Japan Pro Wrestling to prominence, he is credited with, among other things, giving Satoru Sayama the Tiger Mask character.
Shinma served a crucial role in helping negotiate a talent-sharing arrangement between New Japan and WWE that helped many talented competitors and launched Tatsumi Fujinami as an international Superstar.
Wrestleview extends its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Hisashi Shinma.