is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known simply as Taru (stylised in all capital letters). He is currently signed to Makai, while also working for Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is the leader of the Voodoo Murders. He also previously worked in Diamond Ring, Wrestle Association R (WAR) and Toryumon Japan, later known as Dragon Gate (DG). Professional wrestling career Taru trained in professional wrestling from a karate background as part of Koji Kitao's Buko Dojo and started wrestling in 1996 for Wrestle Yume Factory, Wrestle Association R (WAR) and other independent promotions. Wrestle Association R (1996–2008) He debuted in WAR in December 1996 under his real name as part of Kitao's entourage. Like his partners, Taru wrestled in a modified karategi and utilized kicks and grappling holds in a shoot-style gimmick. Although he sometimes teamed up with Masaaki Mochizuki and Takashi Okamura, Taru wrestled mostly low level matches, having an on/off rivalry with Osamu Tachihikari and other beginners. In November 1998, as part of a working agreement between WAR and Último Dragón's Toryumon, Taru traveled to Mexico, where he took part in team matches along with the heel stable Crazy MAX (Shiima Nobunaga, Judo Suwa and Sumo Fujii). Around this time, Taru changed his gimmick away from his shoot-style roots, starting to use boots, leather bodysuits and more villainous traits. He never returned to WAR after his Mexican tenure, instead moving full-time to Toryumon. Toryumon (1998–2004) Taru's debut in the Japanese branch of Toryumon happened on February 3, 1998, where he participated along with Mochizuki, Okamura and Keiichi Kono in a special match between Buko Dojo members. About the end of the match, Crazy MAX came to the ring and attacked all the wrestlers except by Taru, whom they inducted officially into their stable. Through this way, Taru adopted his definitive role in Toryumon and became Crazy MAX's suave yakuza-like manager and mouthpiece. He would always be clad in tailored dark suits and wield a black-painted baseball bat which he would use to attack their enemies with. For many years they were a powerful faction in Toryumon Japan and Dragon Gate but the group dissolved on November 2, 2004, and Taru left the promotion. All Japan Pro Wrestling (2005–2011) After leaving Toryumon, Taru soon showed up in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he formed a tag team with Johnny Stamboli. After