Career
He held the NWA World Midget"s Championship on three different occasions
Akabane began his in the early 1970s in his native Japan working under his real name. At some point during his first year in the business a troupe of professional midget wrestlers toured Japan with Lord Littlebrook striking up a friendship with Akabane. The friendship led to Akabane travelling to the United States where he became part of a touring troupe of midget wrestlers, known as "Little Tokyo" playing off his Japanese heritage and martial arts background.
On December 25, 1981 Little Tokyo lost the championship to Tiny Tom as part of Big Time Wrestling"s Christmas Star Wars show.
One year later Little Tokyo appeared at WCCW"s Christmas Star Wars losing to Lone Eagle on the under card. Little Tokyo"s most notable match took place on March 29, 1987 when he worked for the World Wrestling Federation (World Wildlife Fund) at their WrestleMania III show.
At the show he teamed with mentor Lord Littlebrook and King Kong Bundy against Hillbilly Jim, the Haiti Kid and Little Beaver. The match ended when all 4 midget wrestlers attacked the 458 lb (208 kg) King Kong Bundy attacked Little Beaver.
On January 1, 1988 Little Tokyo became the first holder of the Windy City Wrestling Midget Championship when he defeated Cowboy Catrell.
On September 29, 1994, on the last show ever held by Universal Wrestling Federation, Little Tokyo defeated Karate Kid to become the first and only holder of the UWF Midget World Championship. Akabane retired in 1997. At the age of 69, Akabane was diagnosed with base tongue cancer.
Doctors said it was cureable and family and friends gathered around him for support.
He was living in Saint Joseph, Missouri at the time. On September 6, 2011, Shigeri Akabane died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 70.
National Wrestling Alliance
NWA World Midget"s Championship (3 times)
Universal Wrestling Federation
UWF Midget World Championship (1 time, only)
Windy City Wrestling
WCW Midget Championship (2 times, first).