Nintendo names Koji Miyake as new European CEO
18-year Nintendo of Europe head Satoru Shibata returns to Japan
Nintendo has named Koji Miyake as its new European CEO and chairman.
He was formerly general manager of the human resources department at Nintendo.
Meanwhile, Stephan Bole will become Nintendo of Europe's COO and president. Bole will be supported by Luciano Pereña as CFO and Laurent Fischer as CMO.
Bole had served as MD of Nintendo France between 2001 and 2015, and has held roles such as senior managing director of corporate strategy (2009 - 2015) and senior managing director European subsidiaries and affiliates (2015 - 2018) for NOE.
It follows the imminent departure of Nintendo of Europe president Satoru Shibata after 18 years in the role. Shibata returns to Nintendo's HQ in Kyoto to take up the position of general manager for the firm's marketing and licensing divisions. He is also joining Nintendo's Board of Directors.
"To say that Mr Shibata's contributions have been instrumental to Nintendo's European operations is an understatement," said Bole, "His efforts over the past 18 years have helped to bring Nintendo products to generations of players across Europe - and beyond. While he will be missed by many, I have full confidence that with our new structure we'll be able to continue our mission of putting smiles on people's faces through our unique gaming experiences."
The European changes follows a management restructure at Nintendo's HQ, where Tatsumi Kimishima retired as representative director and president at Nintendo, and Shuntaro Furukawa was appointed in his place.