X

Nintendo of America shakes up leadership

Nintendo of America CEO Tatsumi Kimishima is moving back to Japan, and Satoru Iwata will take over his position.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
See full bio
Don Reisinger
Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata is now the head of Nintendo of America.
Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata is now the head of Nintendo of America. James Martin/CNET

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has only one person he needs to report to now.

Nintendo announced Wednesday that Nintendo of America Chairman and CEO Tatsumi Kimishima will move to Japan to assume the role of general manager of Corporate Analysis and Administration and general manager of General Affairs at Nintendo Co., parent company of Nintendo of America.

Fils-Aime, who has for years been the face of Nintendo of America in the U.S., will remain on as president and COO of the subsidiary, but will not assume the role of CEO. Instead, Nintendo Global chief Satoru Iwata will take over as Nintendo of America CEO.

"The move will support the company's unified global strategy, allow streamlined decision making and enhance Nintendo's organizational agility in the current competitive environment," Nintendo wrote Wednesday in a statement.

The move comes as Nintendo's earnings fell short of expectations, due to sluggish demand for the company's Wii U game console.