Leadership Transition at Koei Tecmo
- Hisashi Koinuma is set to assume the role of president and CEO on April 1, 2025.
- Co-founder Yōichi Erikawa will step down, transitioning into a chairman role.
- Keiko Erikawa will relinquish her position as chairwoman but will oversee the company’s investment portfolio.
Koei Tecmo Holdings is poised for a significant leadership transition as Hisashi Koinuma takes over as president and CEO, replacing co-founder Yōichi Erikawa this coming spring. This strategic change is scheduled to officially occur on April 1, 2025, aligning with the commencement of the company’s new fiscal year.
Established as one of Japan’s venerable video game developers, Koei was founded in 1978 by Yōichi Erikawa and his wife, Keiko, while Tecmo traces its origins back to 1967. Over the years, Yōichi, who is also known in the industry as Kou Shibusawa, has made remarkable contributions to game development with nearly 100 credits to his name. Keiko Erikawa has expertly managed the company’s investment portfolio, which has consistently outperformed many of Koei’s internal gaming projects. Following a key merger in 2008, when Koei joined forces with Tecmo after rejecting an acquisition offer from Square Enix, the company initially branded itself as Tecmo Koei before rebranding in 2014.
Recently, Koei Tecmo announced the formal appointment of Hisashi Koinuma, whose tenure at the company began in 1994, where he previously held the role of chief operating officer of Koei Tecmo Games, the video game development and publishing division. This leadership shuffle was revealed after the board of directors met on February 10, marking a pivotal moment for the organization.
Exciting New Releases from Koei Tecmo
- Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian (2025)
- Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land (March 21, 2025)
- Ninja Gaiden 4 (fall 2025)
- Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (summer 2025)
- Rise of the Ronin (PC version, March 11, 2025)
Co-Founders Step Back from Daily Operations
As Koinuma steps into his new role, Yōichi Erikawa, aged 74, will remain involved in the company as chairman and representative director. Simultaneously, Keiko Erikawa, at 76, will transition to a chairman emeritus position, while also assuming the role of president and representative director of Koei Tecmo Corporate Finance (KTCF).This new division will focus on managing the company’s substantial investment portfolio, which has been a critical driver of Koei’s financial success.
With this leadership transition, both co-founders are set to take a more passive role in the company’s management. This change arrives at a crucial juncture as Koei Tecmo plans to intensify its focus on enhancing its lineup of AAA titles, moving away from the mobile gaming sector, thereby aligning its strategy with current market trends.
For further details, you can view the original announcement here.
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