New Japan Pro-Wrestling: Talent Can't Get Visas Due To Gov't Shutdown

New Japan Pro-Wrestling issued the following statement, announcing they were unable to obtain working visas for Japanese talent due to the ongoing government shutdown in the United States:

Regarding THE NEW BEGINNING in USA

It is with great disappointment that we must announce that due to the ongoing 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown, we were unable to obtain visas for our Japanese talent who were looking forward to seeing our US fans at the New Beginning in USA.

We are excited to still be able to share a great line-up with our US fans, regardless of visa issues. The IWGP US Champion, Juice Robinson, is defending his title against Barretta and The Great O-Kharn, who is flying in from England, will be debuting in New Japan! What’s more, this show will highlight the talent and potential of our Young Lions, who have been working hard in the NJPW LA dojo. We are looking forward to being able to celebrate the abilities of the exciting new generation of young NJPW wrestlers.

Full cards for the tour were announced last night, with many of the company’s top names being noticeably absent on the events. New Japan Pro-Wrestling presents ‘The New Beginning’ next week with stops in Los Angeles, Charlotte and Nashville.

The United States federal government shutdown has been ongoing since Saturday, December 22nd, with one key point of contention being President Trump’s inability to get $5.7 billion in funding for his proposed border wall in Mexico. More than 800,000 federal employees are out of work or continue without pay; at 34 days and counting, it is the longest shutdown of its kind in United States history.

NJPW G1 Climax Omega pt 2 Tanahashi Ishii Sabre Kushida Naito Ibushi Suzuki Mysterio Okada Evil LIJ Shibata Sanada Bushi

NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi dives on Kota Ibushi to win by a fall in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Winner Hiroshi Tanahashi (R) poses with Masahiro Chono (L) after winning the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: KUSHIDA, Engoku Enbu and Rey Mysterio Jr. celebrate his side's victory in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. dives on Yoh to win by a fall in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Yoh compete in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Kazuchika Okada compete in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Kazuchika Okada compete in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. appears on the ring prior to the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: KUSHIDA appears on the ring prior to the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Sengoku Enbu appears prior to the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kenny Omega (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) square off after the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kenny Omega (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) compete in the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Chase Owens (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) compete in the six-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kenny Omega (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) compete in the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Tetsuya Naito (L) and Minoru Suzuki (R) compete in the 8-man tag team match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Zack Sabre Jr. and EVIL compete in the 8-man tag team match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)