The big N announced today that they are moving around some of their key players in what we can only call “NEWS OF THE CENTURY.” Or, if we want to be less sensationalist, Nintendo is giving Satoru Iwata a new title as well as someone you have never heard of, Tatsumi Kimishima.
Because of his expertise at kicking ass and taking names, Reggie Fils-Aime might be the only person you know helping to run Nintendo of America (NOA), but it turns out that NOA has chairman and CEO, Tatsumi Kimishima. Kimishima is being promoted to “general manager of Corporate Analysis and Administration” and “general manager of the General Affairs Division” over in Japan-land, two positions opening up as a result of retirements.
But who will fill the vacuole left by Kimishima? Our Nintendo Direct darling, Saturo Iwata, of course! Currently, Iwata sits as the global president for the company, but he will soon take on Kimishima’s old role as CEO of NOA while still presidenting the company as a whole. Reggie continues his position as Giant Human in the company. No word yet on if Nonspecific Action Figure will be changing roles within the company.
Led Nintendo of America Since 2002
REDMOND, Wash., April 24, 2013 – Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NCL) today announced a planned promotion for Tatsumi Kimishima, current chairman and CEO of Nintendo of America (NOA) and a director of its parent Nintendo Co., Ltd. Subject to shareholder approval, he will become NCL managing director, and transfer from NOA in Redmond, Wash., to NCL headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. In his new position, he will assume the roles of general manager of Corporate Analysis and Administration, and general manager of the General Affairs Division. These titles are currently held by Yoshihiro Mori and Masaharu Matsumoto respectively, both of whom are retiring. Kimishima will assume his new duties in Kyoto later this summer.
Kimishima was named to his current position at NOA in 2006. He first joined Nintendo in Japan in 2000, and was subsequently named president of Pokémon USA in 2001, before moving on to become president of the Nintendo of America subsidiary in 2002. Previously, he spent 27 years at Sanwa Bank of Japan, with multiple postings in North America and Central America.
Many of his current responsibilities, including the CEO title, will be assumed by Global President Satoru Iwata. The move will support the company’s unified global strategy, allow streamlined decision making and enhance Nintendo’s organizational agility in the current competitive environment. Reggie Fils-Aime will continue in his role as president and COO of NOA, reporting to Iwata.
Other changes announced to Nintendo’s global board of directors can be found at http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/.
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