Close UpMessage from a New Executive
A Perspective from the Corporate Governance Function Underpinning the Growth of the Group
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
Director, CIO, CISO, CSO
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＜Profile＞
- Born on September 11, 1973
- 1997Joined BANDAI CO., LTD.
- 2018Executive Officer & General Manager of the Girls Business Department at BANDAI CO., LTD.
- 2023Director in charge of Sustainability and Administrative Policy at BANDAI CO., LTD.
Director in charge of Sustainability and Administrative Policy at BANDAI SPIRITS CO., LTD. - 2025Director and Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), and Division General Manager of Group Administrative Headquarters at Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
President and CEO, Bandai Namco Business Arc Inc.
Hit Products to a Leader of Corporate Strategy
Prior to assuming your current position, you played an active role on the front lines of product planning and development. In that experience, what products left the deepest impression on you?
After joining Bandai. I began my career in sales and subsequently spent about 20 years in product planning and development. During that time, I gave birth and experienced what it was like to raise children and pursue a career at the same time. Drawing on the inspiration I gained from that experience, I helped launch the BabyLabo infant toy brand in 2010. Although this was Bandai’s first attempt at developing products for infants, BabyLabo became a brand that is loved by many families
Your current areas of responsibility are quite broad, aren’t they?
Since FY2026.3, I have served as a director of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., overseeing the roles of CIO, CISO, and CSO, as well as working as the Division General Manager of Group Administrative Headquarters. In addition, I concurrently serve as President and CEO of Bandai Namco Business Arc Inc., which is responsible for Groupwide administrative functions, including accounting and human resources.
My responsibilities cover an extensive range of areas, from information systems strategy to human resources, legal affairs, and risk management. There are times when meetings run back-to-back, so I am constantly shifting gears across my many roles. Nevertheless,I have made it my personal mission to build an environment and foundation that enables each business and every employee to grow. With this mission as my guiding principle, I feel I am able to make clear and confident decisions, no matter what setting find myself in.
Corporate Value
Since being appointed as a director, what kind of efforts have you been focusing on?
Every company is growing at a rapid pace, and I have therefore focused my attention on building a robust management foundation so that our corporate governance functions can underpin and drive this rapid growth.
The Bandai Namco Group has grown to comprise more than 100 companies both in Japan and overseas, each differing in scale and business activities. Building an environment that serves as a foundation for Groupwide growth requires respecting the unique qualities of each company while also taking a broader perspective, not just optimizing individual entities. It is essential to strike the right balance and steer accordingly. Over the past year, I have worked to deepen my understanding of each Group company while clarifying which areas should be shared across the Group as a growth foundation and which areas should be left to the discretion of individual companies.
What are you particularly mindful of in terms of collaboration between corporate functions and individual Group companies?
I like to think of the role of corporate functions as being the police motorcycles that escort runners in a marathon relay race, moving closely alongside each business and providing guidance as it works toward its goals. To that end, a deep understanding of each business is essential. Only by thoroughly assessing the business environment and management ambition of each Group company can we truly support the implementation of its management strategies and the realization of Groupwide strategies. Corporate functions and business operations are both essential drivers of the Group’s growth. Accordingly, we will continue to strengthen corporate functions so that they can underpin our diverse and rapidly changing businesses, which are one of our key strengths, as well as the growth of our employees.
As a director, how do you view the issues surrounding information technology? Also, could you please tell us about the Group’s policy on AI use, as this is an issue that is garnering attention from investors and the media?
Threats related to information security are becoming more sophisticated day by day. Ransomware attacks that cause significant damage continue to occur both inside and outside Japan, and we will continue to strengthen measures to prevent such attacks within the Group, while also enhancing employee security awareness and expanding practical training.
With regard to AI use, we are promoting AI initiatives across our businesses and corporate functions, and we are now seeing both successes and challenges emerge. In corporate functions in particular, it can be difficult to achieve meaningful results when data and operational processes lack consistency in structure and detail. As a result, AI initiatives have so far been limited to individual use cases. Going forward, we aim to improve the outcomes of AI use by creating an environment where employees can effectively leverage AI and by providing the necessary training, while continuing to refine our operational processes and rules.
As CSO, could you share what you consider to be most important in promoting sustainability?
I believe it is very important that we draw on what makes Bandai Namco unique and promote sustainability in a manner that aligns with our business activities. Our business portfolio is diverse, so the sustainability issues we face differ depending on the characteristics of each individual business.
In the Toys and Hobby Business, we are promoting environmentally friendly initiatives related to plastic in collaboration with our fans. These include collecting and recycling model kit runners (part of the plastic model framework) and Gashapon capsules. We are also promoting sustainability initiatives in line with the characteristics of the Digital, Visual and Music, and Amusement Businesses. For example, we are promoting efforts to conserve energy and respect human rights in the supply chain as well as offering educational activities that make use of our games, music, and amusement facilities.
Furthermore, we will step up initiatives toward human capital. To build an environment where Group employees can continue to work with peace of mind, we will seek to revise personnel systems and enhance educational activities that encourage new pursuits and growth, with an emphasis on collaboration between our diverse businesses.
As the Group’s presence overseas continues to grow, where do you see its competitive edge, and what sets it apart from competitors?
Our competitive edge lies in our ability to develop a diverse portfolio of businesses centered on IPs, with each business working in tandem to generate synergies. IPs such as Gundam, PAC-MAN, and Tamagotchi have remained beloved over time because they reach audiences through multiple channels, including visual media, games, toys, and amusement, all of which work together to continuously enhance their lifetime value. We believe this structure represents a significant strength around the world. Another point that sets us apart from other companies is the deep commitment and passion our employees have for the IPs. I see this personally as the Group’ s greatest strength. I truly believe that this deep passion toward IPs is what enables us to create works, products, and services that exceed expectations, while also building connections with fans around the world that transcend borders.
Do you have a closing message for the shareholders and other investors?
I oversee a broad range of operations, from the development of human resources to the promotion of sustainability initiatives and efforts to bolster our IT. I see all these efforts as essential to delivering works, products, and services that convey the Group’s passion to a wider audience, while also strengthening the foundation for sustainable Groupwide growth.
I will strive to ensure that our corporate functions, which form the foundation of our management, can fulfill both proactive and protective roles, so that we can continue to meet your expectations and achieve growth. We hope you will continue to look forward to the future of the Bandai Namco Group and thank you for your continued support.
