Koei Tecmo’s financial “mastermind” will retire from her position on the company’s board, but will continue to work her magic as new subsidiary’s CEO 

Dynasty Warriors and Ninja Gaiden developer Koei Tecmo recently announced big changes to its leadership structure. This includes Yoichi and Keiko Erikawa, the couple who co-founded Koei and nurtured it into a major player in Japan’s game industry, retiring from their long-held positions. 

Yoichi Erikawa (also known as Kou Shibusawa) will continue to contribute to management as a representative and chairman of Koei Tecmo after stepping down as CEO, but people were worried about the news of his wife, Keiko Erikawa, retiring from the company’s board of directors. After all, she is known for having a crucial role in managing Koei Tecmo’s assets and investments – which she has done well enough to make up for shortfalls in video game revenue and earn Koei Tecmo the amusing endearment of “an investment company that makes games as a hobby.” 

As a result, the announcement of Koei Tecmo’s asset management genius stepping down was followed by users worrying about the company’s future. But thankfully, Koei Tecmo is not losing its Empress (as gamers in Japan like to call her). Keiko Erikawa has been reassigned as president and CEO of Koei Tecmo Corporate Finance, her own subsidiary. As of April 1, 2025, all investment functions of Koei Tecmo Games will be bundled and transferred to this new company.

According to Koei Tecmo, this move is supposed to “strengthen governance related to investment functions and achieve optimal cash management,” which means we can probably expect Erikawa to continue working her magic even after retiring from her position as Koei Tecmo’s chairwoman.