Shukuo Ishikawa, Former President of Bandai Namco, Passes Away at 69

The former president of Bandai Namco, Shukuo Ishikawa, has passed away at the age of 69. In a statement, Bandai Namco announced that Ishikawa's death occurred on September 9, 2024, and expressed its deep appreciation for the support he received throughout his life. A private funeral was held, and the company has asked that no condolences or floral tributes be sent, in accordance with the family's wishes. Ishikawa had a long and distinguished career with Namco, which began in 1978, and included work on notable games such as Soul Calibur and the Tales series. Following the merger of Bandai and Namco, Ishikawa took on key roles, including heading the games division and later becoming president and chairperson. He stepped down from the company in 2019, after a year in the role. A memorial service to honour Ishikawa's legacy will be held at a later date.