Tatsumi Kimishima
April 21, 1950
Tokyo, Japan
Career[edit]
Sanwa Bank[edit]
Kimishima was born in Tokyo. After graduating from Hitotsubashi University, he joined Sanwa Bank in 1973, working there for 27 years.[6] Kimishima dealt with corporate planning, international business development, corporate communications, and promotions. During his 27-year tenure at Sanwa Bank, Kimishima was posted in New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; and San Francisco, California in the United States, and in Central America and the Caribbean.[7]
Pokémon[edit]
Kimishima was approached by Hiroshi Yamauchi, who wanted someone outside of the video game industry to oversee the finances of an American subsidiary for the popular Pokémon franchise.[8] Kimishima accepted the position, and was appointed chief financial officer of The Pokémon Company in December 2000.[9][10] In 2001, Kimishima was appointed president of Pokémon USA Inc.[7] During Kimishima's early time working there, a number of popular Pokémon games were released.[11][12]
Nintendo[edit]
Yamauchi appointed Tatsumi Kimishima to become president of Nintendo of America in January 2002.[10][13] He was previously working as the head of Nintendo's Pokémon division. Four years after Kimishima's promotion he was promoted again, but this time to the position of chief executive officer and chairman of the board.[14]