Close Up

To start things off, could you both introduce yourselves and talk a bit about your childhoods?

AsakoI was a very curious child, and I think that still holds true today. I had interest in a lot of different things, and I was always open to giving something new a try. I think I played most kinds of sports, but I couldn’t keep up with any one in particular. For example, I played baseball and basketball and did judo and kendo.

MomoiI was a bit of a strange child. I was a big fan of sumo wrestling. After school, when the other kids were all playing baseball, I would say to myself “It’s time for the ring-entering ceremony” and go home early (laughs). Also, my mother raised me in a very unique away, telling me that I shouldn’t just do what others are doing.

What were your thoughts when you were approached about being appointed president and vice president?

MomoiI had already been working with Mr. Asako for three years, so we had a solid understanding of each other’s thinking—what we prioritize, in what order, and the values we base our decisions on. So, when I heard that Mr. Asako would be appointed president, I couldn’t help but pump my fist in celebration (with a smile).

AsakoSo, you just thought you could leave all the troublesome tasks to me (with a smile)?

MomoiNo, of course not. I felt that, as president, you would be able to accomplish even the toughest of tasks. Mr. Asako is guided by strong personal values. I don’t believe that a person without such values could lead an entertainment company.

AsakoWhen I first met Mr. Momoi, I thought he was very intimidating (laughs). But, his approach to work was incredibly sincere and meticulous. I therefore was really happy that I could team up with him. When it comes to leading a corporate group made up of diverse personalities, it is better to approach things as an organization and team, rather than under the leadership of one individual. In that sense, I felt very confident to take on this new challenge, because Mr. Momoi is such a reliable partner. With that said, I spent most of my career earnestly laying the foundation for the Group’s businesses behind the scenes, so it was a little surprising to find myself in the spotlight (with a smile).

With the commencement of the new Mid-term Plan, would you please tell us what you will be focusing on in particular?

MomoiNow that we are enjoying a stable performance, I think it is precisely the time at which we need to plant seeds that can grow and bear fruit in 10 to 20 years from now. We have established the CW360^* Division through which we will strengthen 360° connections with our stakeholders and build a foundation for growth.
Within such efforts, my focus is determining how we invest the capital we generate to drive the next stage of growth. This is actually an area that the Group has somewhat struggled with in the past.

AsakoThat’s true. The Group excels at generating cash but struggles a bit with its approach to growth investments geared toward the medium to long term.

To that end, one key initiative we incorporated into the new Mid-term Plan is “data utilization.”

MomoiThis key initiative started with considerations on how to apply the data analysis know-how cultivated in the Digital Business to other businesses. In terms of making decisions on business plans and marketing, we value both “intuition and instinct” and “data analysis,” and to make good decisions, it is important to determine the best type of balance between these two approaches. The use of data is essential in today’s world, and we have received opinions from frontline personnel, primarily young employees, stating their desire to pursue a more data-driven approach. For this reason, we as top management aim to provide effective support balancing both of these perspectives.

Please tell us about the numerical targets for the final year of the Mid-term Plan.

AsakoAt the time of the management integration 20 years ago, one of the Group’s adopted targets was to achieve operating profit of ¥100.0 billion. For the final year of the new Mid-term Plan, we have setting a target to achieve operating profit of ¥200.0 billion, which is double that amount. Taking into consideration the Group’s potential, I think this is certainly a target that we can realize. Additionally, rather than concerning ourselves too much with fluctuations in sales and profits in each individual fiscal year, we will focus our attention on building a robust earnings base. By doing so, we will strive to increase average operating profit during the period of the Mid-term Plan by roughly 20%.

Japan’s IP businesses and content industry are attracting a great deal of attention around the world. How do you view this trend?

AsakoI hope that IP holders can make use of Bandai Namco’s services to the best possible extent. We see the compelling original works of Japanese artists as an important part of Japanese culture, and we therefore export them to the world with passion. Moving forward, we aim to remain an attractive company that our business partners want to work with—and feel good about working with.

In closing, could you share with us your aspirations and offer a message to the shareholders and other investors reading this newsletter?

MomoiBandai Namco’s Purpose, “Fun for All into the Future,” is a reaffirmation in words of what we always consider when engaging in our business. We have had our overseas employees thoroughly discuss and digest the meaning of our Purpose in order to consider the best possible way to translate it into their own respective languages. As a result, our Purpose has been translated into five different languages, including Spanish and French. In this way, we will promote our vision and beliefs to our fans around the world.

AsakoEntering into the 20th year since our management integration, we have commenced the second chapter and action phase of “Connect with Fans.” In this phase, we will strive to bring smiles to our fans around the world with the goal of forging 360° connections with them. Aiming to further expand our entertainment businesses, Bandai Namco Group will take on the challenge of entering into a new stage of growth. We ask that you look forward in anticipation as we do so.