After Satoru Iwata passed away in 2015, Tatsumi Kimishima took the helm as President of Nintendo. However, this is soon going to change. According to a Nikkei report, the House of Mario will yet again change presidents. While the report notes that Kimishima will continue as a consultant at Nintendo, it is Shuntaro Furukawa who will hold the position of President. The 46-year old joined Nintendo in 2012 and held several positions since, including Outside Director of the Pokémon Company. He was also involved in the marketing and sales of the Nintendo Switch.

Take a look at Nintendo's future president​

Nikkei also mentions that the change is not due to 68-year-old Kimishima's performance but rather to "rejuvenate" the management in order to better adapt and provide in the rapidly changing video game industry.

SOURCE

 

[Flirkyn]

Iirc, it was already stated that Kimishima would be a temporary president until they found who to put. Tbh I wasn't a big fan of him.
I wonder how this one will be

 

[c3pums]

Probably this is due to switch being hacked lol

 

[sj33]

Nikkei also mentions that the change is not due to 68-year-old Kimishima's performance but rather to "rejuvenate" the management in order to better adapt and provide in the rapidly changing video game industry.

So, he’s being ousted whichever way they try to spin it.

 

[Noctosphere]

My only hope is that he will be closer to the public
Like sir Iwata
Kimishima almost never appeared in videos like Nintendo Direct from what I've seen
I didn't like Kimishima, but maybe I'll like this younger Furukawa

 

[pedro702]

they should just put myamoto in there even tough he doesnt want to

 

[Noctosphere]

they should just put myamot in there even tough he doesnt want to

Please, dont destroy the name of epic men like him

 

[GhostLatte]

What an ugly guy...

Yet you don't show your face here

 

[Noctosphere]

What an ugly guy...

Well, personally, I think he looks more like a geek than Kimishima, so...

 

[DeslotlCL]

oh god no... more gimmicks

 

[TehCupcakes]

My only hope is that he will be closer to the public
Like sir Iwata
Kimishima almost never appeared in videos like Nintendo Direct from what I've seen

This is important for public opinion and I'm surprised more people haven't chimed in on this. Honestly, one of the big things that people liked about Iwata was his involvement in goofy video segments. It's refreshing to see a high-ranking executive who knows how to have fun and embrace their inner child. I think Reggie brings the same thing to Nintendo of America and that is why he is beloved by many. They embody the spirit of Nintendo which is fun-loving and child-like.

It remains to be seen what kind of president Furukawa will be, but I think the burden of proof is on him. If one does not have a strong public presence, people will fall back on what they know about that individual's background. Iwata had a reputation as an influential programmer on popular titles that are dearly loved, and programming is a skill that pretty much everyone respects. I don't think Furukawa's background helps him. When people hear "marketing and sales", they often think money-hungry, greedy, cheap, or shady; anything to make a quick buck. It might appease stockholders, but your average consumer audience is going to have much more mixed opinions. I think he will need to prove himself before achieving public acceptance, which I think is critical for the President of a company like Nintendo.

Maybe he will be better received in Japan; I'll admit I don't know much about Japanese business. But from my perspective, I would rather know nothing about him than know only that he was in sales. That only makes me worried about the wrong directions he could take things.

 

[Noctosphere]

This is important for public opinion and I'm surprised more people haven't chimed in on this. Honestly, one of the big things that people liked about Iwata was his involvement in goofy video segments. It's refreshing to see a high-ranking executive who knows how to have fun and embrace their inner child. I think Reggie brings the same thing to Nintendo of America and that is why he is beloved by many. They embody the spirit of Nintendo which is fun-loving and child-like.

It remains to be seen what kind of president Furukawa will be, but I think the burden of proof is on him. If one does not have a strong public presence, people will fall back on what they know about that individual's background. Iwata had a reputation as an influential programmer on popular titles that are dearly loved, and programming is a skill that pretty much everyone respects. I don't think Furukawa's background helps him. When people hear "marketing and sales", they often think money-hungry, greedy, cheap, or shady; anything to make a quick buck. It might appease stockholders, but your average consumer audience is going to have much more mixed opinions. I think he will need to prove himself before achieving public acceptance, which I think is critical for the President of a company like Nintendo.

Maybe he will be better received in Japan; I'll admit I don't know much about Japanese business. But from my perspective, I would rather know nothing about him than know only that he was in sales. That only makes me worried about the wrong directions he could take things.

I agree with you
If he just suddenly appears in Nintendo Directs video and have fun in these video, well, we might say he tries to be like sir Iwata
He first needs to find his own character before showing it to the public
Some may want sir Iwata to come back, but he won't, we don't want a new Iwata that might ruin the image we had of him
So yea... Furukawa needs to find his character before coming to public, he also needs the good timing to bring his presence to the public of Nintendo
A specific moment, like when announcing a long awaited game or such
But it will be his first and only chance to show us his character.
If he fails, I doubt he will be able to come back for futures videos

 

[x65943]

A lot of high ups at Nintendo seem to come from the Pokemon company nowdays.

I hope this guy is good for Nintendo. I was kind of hoping Koizumi was gonna be named but ofc that is wishful thinking.

 

[spotanjo3]

Umm.. OK.

 

[Alato]

Kimishima was probably cut because he didn't have enough hair for the obligatory Iwata-hairstyle.

This guy's sort of pulling it off though.

 

[sarkwalvein]

Kimishima was probably cut because he didn't have enough hair for the obligatory Iwata-hairstyle.

This guy's sort of pulling it off though.

He already looks like a Goomba, sure there's some comedic potential there. /s

We will have to see, but I hope he ends up being as communicative and good meme material as Iwata was.

 

[Lazyt]

for me it is bad news. Always when thhey change usually things keep going for worst

exactly..

 

[dontay0100]

- Maybe go for like someone 30 yrs old.. maybe even a lil younger if you want to rejuvenate stuff.. but i know.. it's a Japanese thing..

 

[x65943]

- Maybe go for like someone 30 yrs old.. maybe even a lil younger if you want to rejuvenate stuff.. but i know.. it's a Japanese thing..

It's a compromise. Too old and he may be too backward thinking, too young and he won't have enough experience.

 

[KingVamp]

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this. I'm also wait and see. For the most part, things will probably be the same as it is now.

 

[RustInPeace]

Nikkei also mentions that the change is not due to 68-year-old Kimishima's performance but rather to "rejuvenate" the management in order to better adapt and provide in the rapidly changing video game industry.

If only that mindset applied to the US Government.