Nintendo Veteran Takashi Tezuka to Retire in June 2026

Nintendo disclosed in a company notice that Takashi Tezuka will retire from his post as an executive officer effective June 26, 2026. Tezuka is credited on a number of the company’s early landmark titles.

The notice also listed the planned retirements of Takuya Yoshimura, Katsuhiro Umeyama and Keiko Akashi. It named Yutaka Takenaga, senior director of the Auditing Department, as a director candidate and proposed Chika Saka as an outside director, both subject to shareholder approval.

Tezuka’s credits include work as a designer on the original Super Mario Bros. and direction on Super Mario Bros. 3, The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past and Super Mario World. He later served as a producer on multiple Nintendo projects. His most recent credited project is Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup In Bellabel Park.

The company’s notice specified the change applies to his executive officer role. The notice did not state whether Tezuka will leave Nintendo entirely or retain any other positions or advisory roles after June 26, 2026. Nintendo said the retirements and the director nominations are subject to internal procedures and, where required, shareholder approval.

Takenaga’s nomination would move him from his current role in the Auditing Department to the board if shareholders approve. Saka’s nomination would add an outside director perspective to the board pending the same approval. The notice did not provide dates for any shareholder votes or further details on transition timing.

Tezuka’s career at Nintendo spans several decades and includes roles in design, direction and production across multiple major franchises. The company has not released additional comment on his post-retirement plans.