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[LectureMaster]

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Notice of Passing of Chairman of the Board and Changes to Officers (Obituary)

We deeply regret to inform you that Masayuki Kato, the founder of our company and Chairman of the Board, passed away on December 15, 2024. As of the same date, he has also resigned from his position as Director. We extend our sincere gratitude for the kindness and support he received during his lifetime and respectfully make this announcement.

Details

Name: Masayuki Kato (かとう まさゆき)

Date of Birth: August 19, 1946 (78 years old)

Date of Passing: December 15, 2024
(Resignation Date)

Career Summary:

March 1981: Appointed Representative Director of the former Nihon Falcom Corporation (now Falcom Corporation)
June 1988: Appointed Representative Director of the former Falcom Dot Com Corporation (now Nihon Falcom Holdings Corporation)
December 2023: Appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company
Other Notes:

With the passing and resignation of this Director, the number of Directors has been reduced by one. However, the company still meets the number of Directors required by law.
The wake and funeral will be held privately among close family members, in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family.

We sincerely ask for your understanding as we respectfully decline visits, floral offerings, condolence gifts, incense offerings, and telegrams of sympathy.

At a later date, a Farewell Gathering (tentative name) will be held, though the details remain undecided at this time.

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[drganon]

Rip. Hopefully he's replaced by someone who will continue his and Falcom's legacy.

 

[mèx]

Damn, RIP. He should be proud that the company is still kicking and making beloved games even after all these years.

 

[Mister Wolf]

RIP

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

RIP, and respect.
His company is a legend in the industry, providing quality for more than 40 years.

 

[spons]

RIP, and respect.
His company is a legend in the industry, providing quality for more than 40 years.

Now that you mention it, I never heard anything inherently bad about this company and its product output.
Seems to have been stable under him and the other directors.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Sad to hear, RIP.

That said, Falcom has been profitable for years and is currently in a good position with both the Ys and especially Trails series getting more traction in the West.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Really sad to hear

Rest In Peace..

 

[Skifi28]

Well, shit.

 

[Kindjal]

He left a great legacy at Nihon Falcom, he can be proud.

 

[Chechack]

Wait,was this the japanese game ceo that have like some few mysteries dissappering/missing or was it another ceo

 

[StereoVsn]

RIP. Falcom was one of the companies that have been around since the earliest days of Japanese gaming industry and made some amazing games.

 

[Paltheos]

RIP.

Now that you mention it, I never heard anything inherently bad about this company and its product output.
Seems to have been stable under him and the other directors.

Kato's been criticized by certain members of the fandom (such as me) for being overly conservative and allegedly paranoid, to some nasty consequences. That being said, whatever mistakes he's made, he still started a company that's made some great video games and for that I'm grateful.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Damn, RIP.

His little company made all this way and is still alive.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

WTF. Wow. Guy is a legend and absolutely left his mark on the industry.

Sad news.

 

[near]

RIP.

 

[Crystal Winters]

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Nihon Falcom share price rises following founder's death - AUTOMATON WEST

The death of Nihon Falcom founder and major shareholder Masayuki Kato has prompted the share price of the Ys and Trails developer to rise.

automaton-media.com

When the news of Kato’s passing was released, Nihon Falcom’s share price steadily climbed from 1,060yen at 2pm on December 17 to 1,180yen on the morning of the following day. At the time of writing, the highest point it reached this week was 1,213 yen on December 19 at 10:30am (JST).

Nihon Falcom’s largest shareholder is Nihon Falcom Holdings K.K, a company believed to have been established by Kato to hold Nihon Falcom shares. The combined total of shares held by Nihon Falcom HD (40.47%) and those in Kato’s own name (11.19%) equals over 50%.

Therefore, the death of Kato has essentially deprived Nihon Falcom of their biggest stable shareholder. Masayuki Kato’s stocks are likely to be inherited by family members. But it is currently unclear whether these inheritors are stable shareholders (it’s possible that they may have to sell some of their inherited shares to pay inheritance tax). These speculations are part of what is driving investors to buy Nihon Falcom shares this week.

Also, prior to the announcement of Kato’s passing, Nihon Falcom’s market cap (i.e. the most recent value of the company’s outstanding shares) was approx. 10.8 billion yen, which has since risen to around 11.8 billion yen (source: Stock Analysis). This market cap could have prompted investors to buy shares in Nihon Falcom while eyeing potential future profits, perhaps with the thinking that another company may try to acquire the game developer and publisher. With the shareholder mix being shaken up, Nihon Falcom’s business management structure and methods might also end up undergoing changes in the future.

At the time of writing, it is currently unclear exactly how Masayuki Kato’s death will impact the company in the long run.