Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed that the company implemented additional employee salary increases in April 2026, building on a 10% raise to base salaries in Japan that took effect in April 2023.
The clarification follows earlier reporting that was partly driven by a mistranslation from the NStyles X account, which led to confusion about the scope and timing of Nintendo's pay adjustments.
Furukawa framed the moves as part of a deliberate compensation strategy.
He explained that Nintendo aims to set salary levels in line with industry trends and broader social conditions, noting that stable pay is essential to employees' livelihoods and to maintaining an environment where staff can take creative risks.
He said the company has continued to review its compensation system to ensure pay reflects demonstrated capabilities and that recent adjustments included increases to starting salaries.
Company background and context
Nintendo is one of the major platform holders in the games industry and remains closely associated with the Nintendo Switch hardware and the broader software ecosystem, including digital distribution via the Nintendo eShop.
The firm has frequently emphasized long-term stability and a measured approach to staffing and compensation, contrasting with recent waves of layoffs at several large Western studios.
Furukawa's statements underline Nintendo's stated priority of protecting employee welfare as part of its corporate strategy.
What was reported and what Furukawa confirmed
Earlier reports suggested a blanket salary increase had been announced; those reports were complicated by an inaccurate translation circulated on X by the NStyles account.
In his most recent comments, Furukawa confirmed the factual timeline: a 10% base salary increase in Japan implemented in April 2023 and further, unspecified increases implemented in April 2026, including adjustments to starting pay.
He declined to disclose exact figures for the 2026 changes, saying only that the company remains committed to maintaining appropriate compensation going forward.
What this means for the industry
For Nintendo employees, the announced revisions signal an ongoing review of pay structures tied to capability and market conditions.
For observers and industry professionals, the announcements are a reminder of divergent approaches to workforce management across global studios and publishers.
Nintendo's public confirmation closes a chapter of confusion caused by the earlier mistranslation and provides a clearer record of the company's recent compensation actions.
The clarification follows earlier reporting that was partly driven by a mistranslation from the NStyles X account, which led to confusion about the scope and timing of Nintendo's pay adjustments.
Furukawa framed the moves as part of a deliberate compensation strategy.
He explained that Nintendo aims to set salary levels in line with industry trends and broader social conditions, noting that stable pay is essential to employees' livelihoods and to maintaining an environment where staff can take creative risks.
He said the company has continued to review its compensation system to ensure pay reflects demonstrated capabilities and that recent adjustments included increases to starting salaries.
Company background and context
Nintendo is one of the major platform holders in the games industry and remains closely associated with the Nintendo Switch hardware and the broader software ecosystem, including digital distribution via the Nintendo eShop.
The firm has frequently emphasized long-term stability and a measured approach to staffing and compensation, contrasting with recent waves of layoffs at several large Western studios.
Furukawa's statements underline Nintendo's stated priority of protecting employee welfare as part of its corporate strategy.
What was reported and what Furukawa confirmed
Earlier reports suggested a blanket salary increase had been announced; those reports were complicated by an inaccurate translation circulated on X by the NStyles account.
In his most recent comments, Furukawa confirmed the factual timeline: a 10% base salary increase in Japan implemented in April 2023 and further, unspecified increases implemented in April 2026, including adjustments to starting pay.
He declined to disclose exact figures for the 2026 changes, saying only that the company remains committed to maintaining appropriate compensation going forward.
What this means for the industry
For Nintendo employees, the announced revisions signal an ongoing review of pay structures tied to capability and market conditions.
For observers and industry professionals, the announcements are a reminder of divergent approaches to workforce management across global studios and publishers.
Nintendo's public confirmation closes a chapter of confusion caused by the earlier mistranslation and provides a clearer record of the company's recent compensation actions.