Who Owns Nintendo in 2022 and What That Means for the Company‘s Future
As a lifelong Nintendo fan and gaming industry analyst, one question I get asked a lot is – who actually owns Nintendo? With the company being over 130 years old, has the ownership changed hands? Does Nintendo even have a clear owner? After extensive research into their financials and leadership, the answer is clear – the Japanese family that has led Nintendo for over 60 years remains firmly in control.
The Yamauchi Family Still Owns Over 10% of Nintendo‘s Shares
Despite former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi selling 10% of the company‘s shares when he stepped down in 2002, the Yamauchi family still retains ownership of over 10% of Nintendo‘s stock.
In 2022, Nintendo‘s market value sits at approximately $60 billion. That means the Yamauchi family‘s stake is worth over $6 billion. For a company they have controlled since 1949, they have no intention of fully relinquishing the reins anytime soon.
Current Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa Drives Company Direction
While the Yamauchi family oversees ownership, day-to-day operations sit with Career Nintendo employee Shuntaro Furukawa, who took over the Presidency in 2018.
Furukawa has worked across accounting, corporate planning, and global marketing over his decades at Nintendo. He represents a leadership approach that balances business growth with maintaining Nintendo‘s culture of innovation and fun.
Since becoming President, Furukawa has overseen the release of major Switch titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, appointed new creative leads within Nintendo, and pushed the company‘s expansion towards entertainment beyond video games. All evidence suggests he is the perfect fit to lead a Nintendo that stays true to its identity.
Consistent Leadership Is Key to Nintendo‘s Sustained Success
With over three consecutive decades under Yamauchi family leadership, Nintendo‘s consistency separates them from other major video game companies. PlayStation has seen 5 leaders over that period, while Xbox has seen 7.
This singular focus on creative excellence, beloved IP, and innovative hardware has kept Nintendo at the top of the industry for over 30 years since Yamauchi took over.
As a passionate gamer myself, I believe this stability at the top is key to producing the calibre of iconic games Nintendo is renowned for. Teams can focus on perfecting craft rather than reacting to leadership changes.
The Yamauchi Family Legacy Is Safe with Current Leadership
While speculation will continue around whether the Yamauchi family will retain full ownership, recent history suggests that is the likely outcome in the short to mid-term.
With Shuntaro Furukawa representing the first Nintendo President not related to company founder Fusajiro Yamauchi, he brings the right mix of business growth expertise and innate understanding of Nintendo‘s culture. As an accountant by trade, he understands the importance of profitability alongside creativity.
As Nintendo moves beyond just video games into entertainment, theme parks, and movies based on hit IP like Super Mario, leadership that balances old and new will keep the company true to its identity. Maintaining strong profits while unleashing developers‘ creative freedom means a bright future ahead under stable Yamauchi family ownership.
This article reflects the personal opinions of the author, an avid Nintendo gamer for over 25 years and industry analyst focused on gaming company strategy and leadership.
