Masafumi Miyamoto
Masafumi Miyamoto | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1957 (age 67–68) |
| Alma mater | Waseda University |
| Occupation(s) | Investor, businessman |
Masafumi Miyamoto (宮本 雅史, Miyamoto Masafumi, born 1957) is a Japanese investor and businessman who founded the video game company Square. Miyamoto served as president of Square until 1991.
Biography
[edit]Miyamoto graduated from Waseda University in 1983, and began his professional career in the software division of Den-Yu-Sha, a company owned by his father, where he developed computer games. Miyamoto had teams of graphic designers, programmers, and professional writers working on game projects together.[1] Miyamoto recruited game developers demonstrated sufficient programming skills in a building similar to what would be known as internet cafes.[2] In 1986, Miyamoto spun Square out from Den-Yu-Sha to become an independent company with a focus on making games for the Famicom video game system. He stepped down as president of Square in 1991.[3]
Square Enix merger
[edit]During the discussion of the merger of Square and Enix in 2002, his approval of the merger was essential because of his major stake in Square.[4] Initially, the proposed share ratio was 1 Square share to 0.81 Enix shares, a proposal that Miyamoto opposed.[5] When the merger went through, 1 share of Square resulted in 0.85 shares of Enix.[6] Miyamoto made 5 million shares, or 9% of the company, available for purchase in the summer of 2002 but still retained 31.04% ownership.[3] As of March 31, 2018, he is the tenth-largest shareholder of Square Enix.[7] Since the beginning of 2025, Square Enix has been targeted, which has led to an increase in the company's share price.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Fujii, Daiji (January 2006). Entrepreneurial choices of strategic options in Japan's RPG development (PDF) (Report). Faculty of Economics, Okayama University. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2006. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ Fujii, Daiji (January 1, 2005). "The Birth of "Final Fantasy": Square Corporation" (PDF). Journal of Economic Society of Okayama University. 37 (1): 63–88. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ^ a b IGN Staff (July 8, 2002). "Square Sells Stock Abroad". IGN. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ^ Winkler, Chris (January 10, 2003). "Square Founder Complains About Planned Merger". RPGFan. Archived from the original on February 14, 2003. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- ^ Winkler, Chris (January 14, 2003). "Square Enix Merger Gets Green Light from Miyamoto". RPGFan. Archived from the original on February 13, 2003. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ^ "Square Enix: 2004 Annual Report" (PDF). Square Enix. August 6, 2004. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 2, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ^ V, Amber (June 17, 2025). "Square Enix shares reach highest price since the beginning of 2025 after activist investor raises stake to 10.01%". Automaton West. Retrieved June 21, 2025.