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Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima Steps Down, Shuntaro Furukawa Named Successor
Tatsumi Kimishima found himself the CEO of one of the biggest gaming companies in the world after Satoru Iwata passed away in 2015. He guided the company through the launch of its portable powerhouse, the Nintendo Switch, but today Kimishima announced he's stepping down from the position. Nintendo has named Shuntaro Furukawa as his successor.
Currently a board member for both Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Furukawa has been a part of Nintendo since 1994. During that span he has held several positions in the company, including managing executive officer, supervisor of corporate analysis & administration, and director.
Kimishima isn't retiring from Nintendo, but simply taking on a smaller role as an adviser to Furukawa. He says he's been eying Furukawa for years as his replacement, praising the younger executive's knack for diplomacy and financial adroitness.
Nintendo also announced the departure of Nintendo Europe's president, Satoru Shibata, so he can take on a more international role in the company. In addition, Yoshiaki Koizumi and Takashi Tezuka have joined the board of directors. Koizumi's appointment is notable, given that he played a key role in developing the Switch, serving as the console's general producer.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
Our Take
Personnel changes at Nintendo are always an interesting event, with this year's focus on putting those who helped plan the Switch's marketing at the forefront of the company both sensible and a portent of things to come.
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