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06 07
Annual Report 2006
From a slightly different perspective, I would also like to discuss
our joint venture with GAKKEN Co., Ltd. here. The creative
media of video games may not only be harnessed for entertain-
ment, but may also be utilized effectively for a wide range of
other purposes, including education, training and welfare. Our
joint venture with GAKKEN has the objective of embarking on
these other potential applications for video game software. By
utilizing the advantage of widespread familiarity with video
games, we are aiming to foster a completely new market.
3. Strengthening technology development to build
a common platform
Be creative and innovative—that is the essence of our spirit.
Having strengths in both artistic and technological fields is the
core of our competitive advantages. We will do whatever we
can to maintain our world-leading capabilities in the game
development. We will also focus on complementary themes.
To cater to the needs of diverse lifestyles, it is necessary to
foster capabilities across a wide range of terminals and media.
For this reason, it becomes essential to develop middleware to
function on a cross-platform basis. We are currently pursuing
a joint project with a team at UIEvolution, Inc., a U.S.-based
subsidiary we acquired three years ago, which has recently led
to a business alliance with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
In addition to video game consoles, PCs and mobile phones,
this project also expands development to cover a wide variety
of digital consumer electronic devices.
Our Mission and Contribution to Society
Within our business, we have set a number of precedents in
the development of the “networked society.” This stems from
the fact that at present, only online games have realized a
completely “virtual society.”
If the pioneers in a new field do not properly define key
issues and begin a steady process of dealing with them, there is
a danger that the foundations laid for the next generation will
be undermined. We must bear this mission in mind, and I
believe it is our duty to voice our views on these issues to society.
By directly offering our wisdom and labors, I wish to make a
proactive contribution to society.
My assumption of office as chairman of the Computer
Entertainment Suppliers’ Association—Japan’s video game
industry body—from fiscal 2006 is also part of this contribution.
Furthermore, for three years from fiscal 2006 we have secured a
research base at the University of Tokyo covering intellectual
property issues. We hope to utilize this research grouping as the
hub for in-depth discussions in this field.
We believe that our business creation will benefit from such
efforts to contribute to the development of solid foundations for
a prosperous future.
In these endeavors, we look forward to your continued support.
July 2006
Yoichi Wada
President and Representative Director