It really is hard to state who Iwata's replacement is at this point. Personally, I do not think either Fiis-Amie-Senpai or Miyamoto-Sensei will take the mantle. Reggie-Senpai is from Nintendo of America, but the recipient will most likely be selected from within Nintendo main base of operation since the position has been held by only 4 people throughout the companies history. Choosing an outsider isn't likely.

Regarding Miyamoto-Sensei, while he is sharing duties with another, it isn't likely he takes the position either. Miyamoto-Sensei has actually alluded to retirement earlier in the year. Even if he doesn't retire, his age is another issue. 62 is a bit too advanced to be a CEO of any company: enterprise no less. Obtaining someone younger from within would be viable. However, the biggest issue regarding Miyamoto-Sensei is that he already has enough responsibilities in overseeing game development. Miyamoto-Sensei is a game designer first and foremost. Tacking on business responsibilities should not be in Nintendo's plans. Miyamoto-Sensei should be utilized in overseeing project regarding games. Said area is his best.


At the end of the day, it could be anyone's guess who the successor is. For me it should be someone in their early 40s or late 30s if possible. As stated before, the successor will be chosen from within who has some business savvy in direct correlation to Nintendo's ideals. Those are my personal guesses, but if anything, Iwata has most likely hand picked someone to succeed if certain event transpired. Give Nintendo some time. I am sure the higher ups will make a decision soon.

No lol that was Ken Kutaragi, and Norio Ohga was the one before that.  Sure Kaz is technically Japanese, but I think you know what I meant - he grew up in an American school and traveled to America incredibly frequently.  Not the usual old Japanese man with limited American experience/influence.

Well yes but before that the company was run by a welsh man, having an outside perspective didnt help then. 

Nintendo will stay Japanese until there is no such thing as Nintendo. There will be NO American president in charge of NOJ.

The more I think about the subject, the more I realize that this is weird that Iwata didn't prepare anything for this. I mean, he knew how bad his health was, why didn't he made any arrangement?

Also, he should have stepped down to take care of himself, I know it's not the japanese way, but god, he should have spend more time with its family...

It's really sad to see him go like that. He will be truly missed.

Kojima is a one trick pony, kept hidden behind a wall of fake flames and speaking to his fans through the groggy voice that is Metal Gear.  Konami did well to fire his Wizard of metal gear arse.

The title was so misleading!! LOL

That's just the thing.  As high profile as Nintendo is, it would make sense that they saw this coming a long time ago.  It's a business for heavens sakes, they have to make that a priority.  The thing is, its more likely that they were already aware of where this was going.  It's a form of cancer where the prognosis is "completely removing the tumor allows approximately 1 in 5 patients to survive for at least 5 years, with the possibility of a complete cure." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000291.htm

If I were a rich dying man, wouldn't my affairs be taken care of before I get to close to dying?  Namely a successor to my throne, one hand picked by myself.  If I'm correct, then anytime this week or next will be the official naming of the next President.  It would have to be someone charasmatic, someone with a list of achievements, someone with passion for the business, and most of all someone with vision to drive nintendo to the next decade of business.  As for not speaking Japanese, his son speaks Japanese, so that's not that big a barrier. 

Takeda as temporary president for 1-2 years, then Morimoto for the next however many years? I mean, Iwata did pass the Nintendo Direct host status to him (at least in Japan).

You know... they dont need a US president and US headquarters to do that. Also, i think you are projecting the american PoV a bit too much here. The US market is not the only market in the world where you can make a sucessful business.