Isao Okawa

Isao Okawa (大川 功, Ōkawa Isao) (May 19, 1926 – March 16, 2001) was a Japanese businessman and the former Chairman of Sega.

Isao Okawa
BornMay 19, 1926
Osaka, Japan
DiedMarch 16, 2001(2001-03-16) (aged 74)
Tokyo, Japan
OccupationEx Chairman of Sega Enterprises
Founder of CSK Holdings

History

Okawa was born in Osaka, Japan. As a young adult he studied at Waseda University in Tokyo. After graduating from Waseda he formed his own Computer Service Company, which later became known as CSK Holdings Corporation (CSK).

Involvement with CSK Holdings

CSK is a Japanese technology company formed by Okawa in 1968.[1] The company mainly provides ICT services to numerous businesses throughout Japan. Okawa was the Chairman from 1968 until his death in 2001.

Involvement with Sega

From 1984 until 2004, CSK had the majority of Sega shares. As a result, Okawa was the Chairman of Sega Enterprises. In 2004, CSK's shares were bought by Sammy, making Hajime Satomi the new CEO of Sega (Sega and Sammy merged to form Sega Sammy Holdings). Okawa provided over US$40 million towards Sega Enterprises, mainly to fund Dreamcast. He forgave the debts Sega owed him and gave Sega Corporation his $695 million worth of Sega and CSK stock.[2][3][4][5] As a result of this he is remembered by some as an iconic part of Sega's history. CSK also had a research institute which produced software for all Sega platforms.

Honors

Okawa was recognized by the Japanese Government for his aid in financially supporting numerous Japanese technology companies, including Sega Enterprises. He also received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater.

Death

Okawa died of heart failure at Tokyo University Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 3:47 pm on March 16, 2001.[6] He was 74 years old.

References
  1. Osaki, Tad (2001-03-23). "Isao Okawa". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  2. "Sega Loses Chairman, Its Biggest Supporter". Wall Street Journal. 2001-03-19. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  3. "Sega Bailed Out by Prez". Wired. 2001-02-07. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  4. McFerran, Damien (2012-02-22). "The Rise and Fall of Sega Enterprises". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  5. "Sega chief's $700m gift". BBC News. 2001-02-08. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  6. Steven L. Kent (16 June 2010). The Ultimate History of Video Games: Volume Two: from Pong to Pokemon and beyond...the story behind the craze that touched our lives and changed the world. Crown. pp. 780–781. ISBN 978-0-307-56087-2.
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