GENDA aims to become the world's No.1 Entertainment Company
We believe “fun” is essential for people to live a fulfilling life. That is why we have set the aspiration of “More fun for your days.”
Getting together with members who share our Aspiration, we aim to “become the world’s No.1 entertainment company in 2040” by taking on new challenges every day following the three GENDA values of “Speed is King” “Grit and Grit” and “Enjoy our Journey” as guiding principles.
We believe that the present entertainment business has a structure which delivers “Entertainment Contents” such as anime and movies to “fans” on “Entertainment Platform” both online and offline. GENDA will deliver various and fascinating contents through our platforms such as amusement arcade “GiGO” and karaoke chain “Karaoke BanBan” all over Japan, and moreover, to all fans of entertainment around the world. Please stay tuned for our upcoming updates!
Nao Kataoka, Representative Director, President and CEO
Three GENDA Values
GENDA continuously aims for "Rapid Growth" together with its members.
The guiding principle to achieve this is the "GENDA Value."
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01
Speed is King
"Speed" is not just important but of the utmost importance
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02
Grit and Grit
The most essential factor for success is Grit (perseverance)
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03
Enjoy our Journey
Let's enjoy our journey together and achieve greater dreams
Management Team
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Nao Kataoka
Representative Director, President and CEOGraduated from Keio University, Faculty of Economics. Joined JUSCO Co., Ltd. (currently AEON Co., Ltd.) in 1995. Transferred to AEON Fantasy Co., Ltd. in 2004 and became Director in 2008, Managing Director in 2012 and Representative Director and President in 2013. Doubled as Representative Director and President of AEON Entertainment Co., Ltd. since 2017. Established GENDA Inc. in May 2018. Became Representative Director and Chairman of the Board in September 2019 and doubled as Representative Director and Chairman of the Board of GAGA Corporation since December 2023. Held his current position since April 2025.
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Taiju Watanabe
Managing Director, CFOGraduated from Hitotsubashi University, Faculty of Commerce and Management. Joined Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. (currently Mizuho Bank, Ltd.) in April 2011 and served as Relationship Manager at Corporate Baking Division. Joined Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. in April 2015 and served as Vice President in Advisory Group of Investment Banking Division, involved in M&A advisory and equity/bond financing transactions. Joined GENDA Inc. in June 2021 and became Executive Officer, CFO in August 2021. Became Director, CFO in April 2023. Held his current position since April 2025.
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Kohei Habara
Managing Director, CSO / CPAGraduated from Kobe University, Faculty of Economics. Passed the Certified Public Accountant Examination while still in university. Joined KPMG Azusa LLC in February 2016. Joined PwC Advisory LLC in April 2017 and involved in M&A advisory. Joined GENDA Inc. in September 2019 and became Executive Officer in August 2021. Became CSO in September 2023. Established GENDA Capital Inc. and became Representative Director and President in November 2023 (concurrently). Became Director, CSO in April 2024. Held his current position since April 2025.
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Yuzo Sato
Director, CCO and Head of Contents & Promotion BusinessGraduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Education. Joined Hakuhodo Inc. in 1986. Became Representative Director and President and CEO of TBWA\HAKUHODO Inc. and Corporate Officer of Hakuhodo Inc. in 2015. Became Director & Senior Corporate Officer of Hakuhodo Product’s Inc. in 2018. Joined GENDA Inc. and became Director in April 2022. Became CCO (Chief Communication Officer) in September 2023. Held his current position since December 2023 (concurrently).
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Kazuhiro Ninomiya
Director, Head of Amusement Arcade BusinessJoined Namco Ltd. in 1996. Became Executive Officer of Bandai Namco Amusement Inc. in 2018. After serving as Head of domestic amusement arcade business as Facility Operation Division Manager, in charge of overseas business. Joined GENDA Inc. in April 2021 and became Director, Head of Product Planning Division of GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc. in August 2021. Became Representative Director and President of GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc. in April 2023. Became Executive Officer, Head of Amusement Arcade Business in September 2023. Held his current position since April 2025 (concurrently).
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Noriko Shimazu
Outside DirectorAfter being involved in making of management strategies, etc. in Boston Consulting Group GK, received her MBA from Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. After returning to Japan, established Japan Search Fund Accelerator (JaSFA) and became CEO. Starting with organizing Japan’s first search fund conference and operating YMFG Fund, jointly founded Japan Search Fund Platform (JSFP) with Nomura Group and has managed it currently. Serves as ad-hoc member of Small and Medium Enterprise Policy Making Council and outside director of investment locations. Held her current position since April 2024.
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Mariko Hayashi
Outside DirectorWon the 94th Naoki Prize for “The Last Flight Home” and “To Kyoto” in January 1986. Won Chevallier de la Legion d’honneur in January 2011. Won Medal with Purple Ribbon in November 2018. Served as President of Japan Writers’ Association since May 2020 and as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Nihon University since July 2022 (currently). Held her current position since April 2025.
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Taichi Yoneya
Outside DirectorGraduated from Brown University. Joined Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd. (currently Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., Ltd.) in 2004. Subsequently, conducted equity research on the Industrial Electronics, Semiconductor, and Wire & Cables sectors at Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. Later, as an institutional investor, was engaged in investment operations for listed Japanese equities and real estate across hedge funds, long-only funds, and private equity funds. After serving as a Partner, became an independent investor. Held his current position since April 2026.
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Keiichi Ibata
Outside Director, Full-time Audit and Supervisory Committee MemberJoined Mycal Create Co., Ltd. (currently AEON Fantasy Co., Ltd.) in June 2000, became Head of Finance, Accounting and Corporate Administration in June 2013, Head of Public Relations and Investor Relations Office in March 2017. Joined GENDA Inc. in February 2020 and became full-time Outside Corporate Auditor. Held his current position since April 2026. Served as Corporate Auditor for GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc., Ares Company Limited and C’traum inc. Concurrently serves as Corporate Auditor for GAGA Corporation.
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Yuka Matsubara
Outside Director (Audit and Supervisory Committee Member) / Attorney at lawAdmitted to the bar in 2010. Joined Nishimura & Asahi in 2011. In 2019, seconded to MUFG Bank, Ltd. and worked in the Corporate Banking Credit Division (till September 2020). In 2021, joined HIFUMI Law (current firm) and became Outside Corporate Auditor of GENDA Inc. In 2022, became Outside Director and Audit Committee Member of Direct Marketing Mix Inc. (currently). In 2025, became Outside Corporate Auditor of Giftmall, Inc. (currently). Held her current position since April 2026.
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Kensuke Kunimi
Outside Director (Audit and Supervisory Committee Member) / Certified Public AccountantJoined Chuo Aoyama Audit Corporation in July 2001. Became Representative Director of CPA Excellent Partners Co., Ltd. in January 2002 (currently). Became Member of the Board, Educational Corporation Takahashi Gakuen in August 2011. Became Representative Director of CPA Career Support Co., Ltd. in April 2015. Became Representative Director of CKA Co., Ltd. in May 2023 (currently). Became Outside (Independent) Corporate Auditor of GENDA Inc. in April 2025. Held his current position since April 2026.
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Kanako Tajiri
Outside Director (Audit and Supervisory Committee Member) / Attorney at lawJoined Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in December 2008. Seconded to Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan in July 2014. Became Council of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in January 2020. Became Outside Corporate Auditor of Digital Data Solutions, Inc. in November 2021, and Outside Director and Audit and Supervisory Committee Member of the company in September 2022. Became Corporate Auditor of Nadia Corporation in April 2023. Became Partner of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in January 2024 (currently). Became Outside Director and Audit and Supervisory Committee Member of Hakudo Co., Ltd. in June 2025 (currently). Became Outside Director of GENDA Inc. in April 2025. Held her current position since April 2026.
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Daisuke Kajiwara
Executive Officer, CTO / Director of Japan CTO AssociationJoined Yahoo Japan Corporation in 2006. Joined GREE (currently GREE Holdings, Inc.) in 2007 and became Executive Officer of the company in 2014. Joined GENDA Inc. and became CTO in October 2021. Became Executive Officer in September 2023 and held his current position since November 2023. Doubled as Director of GENDA Capital Inc. Served as Executive Officer, CTO and Head of IT Strategy Division of GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc. from October 2021 till January 2025.
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Minoru Kitagawa
Executive Officer, CBOJoined Doutor Coffee Co., Ltd. in 2000 and in charge of design of stores, products and SP tools and rebranding. Joined AEON Entertainment Co., Ltd. in 2016 and became General Manager of Brand Strategy Department. Joined GENDA Inc. in 2019. In 2021, became CBO of GENDA Inc. and Head of Brand Strategy Office of GENDA SEGA Entertainment Inc. (currently GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc.) (concurrently). Held his current position since April 2024.
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Keiichiro Tanaka
Executive Officer, Head of Character MD BusinessJoined Namco Ltd. in 1993. Joined Fukuya Co., Ltd. in 1996 and became Senior Managing Director in 1999, Representative Director and President in 2002. Founded Fukuya Holdings Co., Ltd. in 2017. Established a local corporation in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the U.S. and became Representative Director and President of these companies. Joined GENDA in January 2024 and held his current position since February 2024. Served as Representative Director and Chairman of the Board of Fukuya Co., Ltd., Representative Director and Chairman of the Board of Ares Company, Ltd. and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tokyo Character Makers Co., Ltd.
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Atsushi Iyoda
Executive Officer, Head of U.S. operationsJoined AEON Fantasy Co., Ltd. as a part-timer in 2004. After serving as Store Manager and the person in charge of district maintenance, involved in the company-wide procurement and development of game machines and the support work for overseas products in Product Division of the head office. Established a subsidiary of the company in Vietnam in 2017 and became Representative Director. Doubled as Representative Director of the company’s subsidiary in the Philippines in 2018. Joined GENDA Inc. in 2019. Established Kiddleton, Inc. (currently GENDA Americas, Inc.) in July 2019 and became President & CEO. Held his current position since September 2023.
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Tomoki Nagae
Executive Officer, CGvOGraduated from Graduate School of Tokyo University, Faculty of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Joined PwC Advisory LLC in 2016 and experienced a wide range of work related to M&A such as financial advisory and PMI. Joined GENDA Inc. in May 2019 and became Executive Officer in August 2021. Served as Head of Preparatory Office for IPO, Head of Internal Audit Office, Head of F&B Business, Representative Director and President of C’traum inc., Sweet Pixels inc., and FILLICO Japan Co., Ltd. Held his current position since April 2026.
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Yoshinaka Ono
Head of ArtGraduated from Musashino Art University, BA in Visual Communication Design. Joined Dentsu Inc. in 2007 and served as Creative Director / Art Director in Creative Planning Division. Joined Accenture Japan Ltd in 2023 and served as Group Creative Director in Droga5 Tokyo. Held his current position since May 2024. Launched the internal Creative Collective “EMBARK” in February 2026.
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Yuji Saida
CHROJoined SEGA Enterprises, Ltd. (currently SEGA Corporation) in April 1997, building a diverse career across new business launches, area management, and prize procurement planning before specializing in HR. In 2022, moved to GENDA Inc. on secondment to serve as General Manager of HR (currently), later transferring permanently in 2023. Became Director of GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc. in February 2024. Held his current position since April 2025.
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Nobuo Tamaki
Head of Store DevelopmentJoined SEGA Enterprises, Ltd. (current SEGA Corporation) in April 1989. In April 2012, became Executive Officer and General Manager of the Development Division at SEGA Entertainment Ltd. (currently GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc.). In April 2020, became Director and General Manager of the Development Division. In April 2022, became Director and General Manager of the Store Development Division at GENDA GiGO Entertainment Inc. (currently). In April 2024, became Director and Executive Officer of Shin Corporation Co., Ltd. (currently). Held his current position since April 2025.
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Hideyuki Hamuro
Head of Karaoke Business and Osaka RepresentativeJoined JUSCO Co., Ltd. (currently AEON Co., Ltd.) in 1987, serving as a GMS Store Manager across West Japan and Chubu. In 2011, as the General Manager of Sales Planning for the Chubu region, was engaged in marketing, formulating sales strategies, presentation duties, and improving store operations. In 2012, transferred to MIRAIYA SHOTEN Co., Ltd. and became Representative Director and President. In 2018, moved to AEON Hokkaido Co., Ltd. and served as Executive Officer and Director. In May 2025, joined GENDA Inc. and became Osaka Representative (currently). Held his current position since April 2026. Concurrently serves as Representative Director and President of ENNE Co., Ltd.
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Yusuke Arai
VPoEJoined Yahoo Japan Corporation (currently LY Corporation) in 2006. In 2011, joined VASILY, Inc. and was responsible for development as General Manager of Frontend Development Department. In 2018, joined ZOZO Technologies, Inc. (currently ZOZO, Inc.) and led the development as Tech lead and ZOZOTOWN iOS Leader. Joined GENDA Inc. in October 2021 and became VPoE (currently).
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Yusaku Kitada
VPoA / Certified Public AccountantGraduated from Kobe University, School of Business Administration. Earned CPA qualification while still at university. Joined Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC in 2015 and specialized in audits and financial reporting for listed manufacturing firms. Joined GENDA Inc. in August 2021 and became General Manager of Accounting Department (currently), promoting the reinforcement of the group’s financial foundation by managing consolidated accounting, M&A support, corporate disclosure, and the transition to IFRS. Held his current position since April 2026.
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Yorikazu Hattori
VPoFGraduated from Keio University, Faculty of Business and Commerce. Joined Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. (currently Mizuho Bank, Ltd.) in 2011 and specialized in the origination and structuring of syndicated loans, trade finance, and acquisition finance within departments belonging to Global Products Division. Additionally, served as a Relationship Manager providing coverage for Private Equity funds. Joined GENDA Inc. in November 2021 and became General Manager of Finance Department (currently). Held his current position since April 2026.
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Tatsumi (Tom) Yoda
Executive Corporate AdvisorFounded T.Y. Limited in March 1988 after working at Sansui Electric Co., Ltd., etc. In the same year, participated in the founding of Avex Inc. and served as its Representative Director from 1993 to 2004. Joined the board of GAGA Corporation in 1999, serving as Representative Director from 2004. As of February 2026, serves as Representative Director and Chairman Emeritus of the Board. After serving in high-profile roles such as Chairman of the Recording Industry Association of Japan and Chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival, currently serves as Chairman of the Culture and Entertainment Industrial Promotion Association and holds various other executive positions.
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Hiroshi Ochi
AdvisorJoined National Police Agency (“NPA”) in 1985. In NPA, after serving as Deputy Section Chief of Community Safety Planning Division of Community Safety Bureau, Deputy Section Chief of General Affairs Division of Commissioner-General's Secretariat, Counselor of Information Systems Division of Info-Communications Bureau, Counselor of Consumer&Environment Protection Division, Officer for Intellectual Property Protection Measures and Head of Crime Prevention Office, all these three in Community Safety Bureau, Section Chief of Drugs and Firearms Division of Criminal Affairs Bureau and others, served as Director-General of Police Administration Division of Tochigi Prefectural Police Headquarters, Director-General of Community Safety Division and Director-General of Police Administration Division of Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters, Counsellor, Cabinet Secretariat (Office for Promotion of Information Security Policies of Cabinet Secretariat) and Chief of Kinki Regional Police Bureau. Retired in 2020. Held his current position since September 2025.