Nintendo Appoints Kazuhiko Hachiya as New Outside Director Pending Shareholder Approval

Nintendo, the renowned video game developer and hardware innovator behind major franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and the Nintendo Switch platform, has announced a significant change to its leadership team.

Effective pending approval at the annual shareholder meeting on June 27, 2025, the company has proposed to appoint Kazuhiko Hachiya as a new outside director and member of the board.

This strategic move aims to further strengthen Nintendo’s board with diverse expertise from outside the traditional video game industry sphere. Kazuhiko Hachiya is a respected figure in both the business and fine arts communities in Japan.

He currently serves as director for PetWORKs, a Tokyo-based doll-making company, a position he has held since September 2010.

Before that, Hachiya acted as a representative director at PetWORKs starting in January 1998, guiding the company through several decades of creative development and innovation in the industry. In addition to his corporate experience, Hachiya is deeply involved in the Japanese fine arts scene.

He is the director of the Art Media Center at Tokyo University of the Arts and holds a role as professor within the Department of Intermedia Art.

His expertise encompasses a unique blend of visual arts, media, and technology—elements that are increasingly relevant to Nintendo’s ongoing push into interactive entertainment and creative game design. Speaking through official channels, Nintendo confirmed that Hachiya’s appointment as outside director would take effect immediately upon shareholder approval.

The company highlighted Hachiya’s varied background in the fine arts and technology sectors as key assets for Nintendo’s board, signaling an intent to inject new perspectives into its strategic direction moving forward. Among Hachiya’s varied interests, he has explored applications of VR technology within creative and playful environments, demonstrating crossover appeal with Nintendo’s own Animal Crossing series and broader social gaming experiences.

Additionally, Hachiya’s longstanding fascination with topics such as aviation may align with Nintendo’s history of flight-themed franchises like Pilotwings and Star Fox, though the company has not indicated any direct influence on upcoming projects. As Nintendo continues to expand its reach beyond conventional gaming, with platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and digital initiatives like the eShop and continued reveals during Nintendo Direct presentations, the addition of Kazuhiko Hachiya is viewed as a strategic step.

With expertise spanning fine arts, education, and interactive technology, Hachiya’s guidance is set to complement Nintendo’s pursuit of innovative entertainment solutions. Shareholders and industry observers alike will be watching closely for any new creative directions resulting from this appointment.

Pending confirmation at the upcoming shareholder meeting, Hachiya’s influence could mark a new chapter for Nintendo’s celebrated legacy in entertainment and digital media.

Nintendo Tokyo Kazuhiko Hachiya PetWORKs Tokyo University of the Arts Nintendo Switch eShop Nintendo Direct