Xbox hires former Sony VP Mena Sato Kato as part of the Gaming Ecosystem Organization. Learn more about her role and what the effect will be on the gaming industry.
Mena Sato Kato to Bridge the Xbox Gap With Japanese Gaming
Xbox to Strengthen Ties with Japanese Gaming Community
Mena Sato Kato, former Sony Vice President for Mobile Business, unveiled her exciting new career move, as she joined Microsoft in the pivotal role as Director for Partnerships Japan role at Xbox. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in Microsoft's efforts to strengthen its ties with the Japanese gaming community. It underscores the company's commitment to enhancing its global gaming presence, especially in Japan.
A Remarkable Career at Sony Interactive Entertainment
Mena Sato Kato's eight years of committed dedication at Sony Interactive Entertainment influenced her path to the position of Director for Partnerships Japan at Xbox. She has held several executive jobs throughout her time there. Most notable was her stint as Vice President for Mobile Business, Japan Studio. She was instrumental in strengthening Sony's position in the Japanese market's mobile gaming industry.
Her achievements at Sony have made a lasting impression and demonstrated her talent in the exciting field of interactive entertainment. Kato is appropriately prepared for the exciting challenges at Microsoft by her experience and the leadership abilities she has built over this period.
Xbox's Challenge of Navigating the Japanese Gaming Landscape
One of the most challenging obstacles for Microsoft's Xbox platform has been gaining a presence in the Japanese gaming market. Despite being widely successful in several other countries, Xbox has consistently trailed behind PlayStation in terms of drawing gamers and developers from Japan. Due to this gap, Xbox players have been denied access to numerous legendary Japanese games, including the Final Fantasy 7 Remaster and Final Fantasy 16.
The origins of this difficulty may be traced back to PlayStation's strong ties with Japanese publishers like Square Enix and its track record of getting exclusive releases. Mena Sato Kato's goal as Director for Partnerships Japan at Xbox is to close this gap by establishing partnerships with Japanese publishers and developers, ensuring that Xbox users worldwide can access a wider variety of Japanese gaming experiences, and to entice Japanese gamers to Xbox’s lineup.
Looking Ahead to the Tokyo Games Show 2023
Kato announced on LinkedIn that she was looking forward to the forthcoming Tokyo Games Show, which would take place from September 21 to September 24, 2023. A staple of the gaming industry, this yearly event brings together developers, business leaders, and players to celebrate and discover the newest advancements in gaming.
