The WWE is a monolith, its resources un-matched by any other. As part of its operation WWE tours the globe, promoting and expanding its brand and reach in the process. Even at times when the wrestling business experiences a downturn in popularity in the United States WWE can still do big business on international live events and has steadily increased its international schedule in recent years. One country the WWE frequently tours is also one known for its serious approach to the art of wrestling. The Land of the Rising Sun has a reputation for producing legitimately tough wrestlers who hit their opponents hard and have a deep respect for the tradition and history of professional wrestling. This mentality is ingrained in them during their training in the unforgiving Dojo system, where they are subject to almost inhuman endurance drills and in-ring punishment as they work their way up the ranks and earn the respect of their superiors. Inevitably a select few Japanese wrestlers have made it to the big leagues in America, names such as The Great Muta, Tajiri, Ultimo Dragon, Funaki and most recently NXTs Hideo Itami have made it across the pond to varying degrees of success. Japan also has a tradition of featuring and pushing foreign talent, known as gaijin, and some wrestlers - like Stan Hansen - chose to make their careers there rather than in their homeland. Wrestling in Japan has always appealed to wrestlers from around the world, due to its comparatively light touring schedule, the reverence displayed by the Japanese fans and the high-calibre of the Japanese talent, and many WWE superstars honed their craft for years in the Orient before making it to WWE. The late, great Eddie Guerrero and the currently inactive Daniel Bryan are just two Wrestlemania main-eventers whose time in Japan was well-referenced on WWE programming in the build to their big moments. For some WWE superstars however, their experience in Japan is barely mentioned and sometimes best forgotten.
