Tsunekazu Ishihara

Tsunekazu Ishihara (also known as 石原 恒和) is a Japanese game industry executive and producer, best known as the President and CEO of The Pokémon Company. Born on November 27, 1957, in Toba, Mie, Japan, Ishihara has played a central role in shaping one of entertainment’s most influential global brands.

Before becoming a key figure in the Pokémon business, Ishihara built his foundation in the video game world at Ape, Inc. There, he contributed to notable titles that helped define their era, including Mario & Wario and the cult classic EarthBound, gaining experience in creative development and production.

That blend of hands-on game-making and business leadership later positioned him to guide Pokémon’s growth across games, merchandising, and wider media. As an executive associated with production, Ishihara is widely recognized for steering long-term strategy while supporting the franchise’s ongoing evolution for new generations of players.