Kanji “Joe” Higuchi (1/18/1929 – 11/8/2010)

(Credit for this write-up belongs to Sobak on czwfans)
Joe’s real name was Kanji Higuchi, he was born at January 18, 1929 in Yokohama. He dedicated himself to judo from early ages. After 1945 Japan was occupied and was mainly under US control. Joe was set as trainer for judo for US army soldiers, there he has learnt English language and safe to say received nickname “Joe”. In 1954 he joined AJWA as wrestler. AJWA itself had solid roots in judo as it was organized with help by several judoka guys. One of them was Yamaguchi Toshio. Another one was former sumo Kiyomikawa Umeyuki. They were Osaka promotion and promoted some Japanese vs US army wrestling matches. He had trained with Raul Romero and P.Y. Chan (Tojo Yamamoto). AJWA closed in 1957. Following Yoshimura Michiaki invitation Joe moved to JWA. He retired in 1960, but in 1963 joined as an interpreter for gaijin, he was basically person in charge for them. Including such things as food, hotel rooms etc. He became a referee in 1965 as successor of Oki Shikina. Oki was himself quite famous guy as wrestler, as referee and as Rikidozan trainer. Later in 1967 Joe was sent US (to improve his skills), where was referee on 11 shows. In 1972 Giant Baba started AJPW, with support from Japan (NTV) and US (Funk, Sammartino, NWA). Joe also supported that project, as he was close to Baba, and from another side Baba and him had good relationships with NWA, which helped to bring gaijins and prevent Inoki from getting them. He was even NWA official referee for NWA title matches. As well as guy who makes communications between wrestlers, thanks to his English skills. His “bald head” image and his ring presence was popular among fans, while announcing “referee Joe Higuchi”crowd chanted “Joe!”. He retired as referee in 1997 after Misawa – Williams match at Budokan in march. His career as referee was 32 years long with over 20,000 matches. It was measured that his count was exactly 3 seconds. He devoted himself to person in charge for gaijins after. He’s gone to NOAH with Misawa in 2000. He acted as GHC title management chairperson. He even traveled to US to ROH shows.
He has son, he goes by name Kikuchi Takanori and he is actor. He actually studied in New-York.