Nintendo CEO to miss shareholders meeting

When Nintendo holds its annual shareholders on June 27, one key figure from the company won’t be around to take part.

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Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s chief executive officer, has revealed that he will miss the annual meeting due to health issues. Iwata revealed on Tuesday that he recently underwent a procedure to remove a tumor that was lodged in his bile duct.

Despite the surgery going “well”, Iwata won’t be able to attend the meeting.

“I have no choice but to miss the company’s very important activity, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, to be held this month,” Iwata wrote to shareholders. “As the president of the company, I regret that I cannot attend the meeting. However, I understand that I have to prioritize my medical treatment and to recover as soon as possible so that I will again be able to do my best to help the company to grow. I hope that you understand.”

It wasn’t announced in the letter just when Iwata will be back to work full time. However, he did mention that he is back to doing business via email and “by other means”, despite the surgery taking place just last week.

In a statement on the matter, Nintendo said that more time will likely be needed before Iwata can return to his post.

“Mr. Iwata had surgery the week of June 16, and came through it well, as predicted. It is anticipated that a little more time is needed for him to return to his regular work schedule,” the company said.

Nintendo is expected to address the recent sales figures of the Wii U and 3DS consoles. The Wii U has seen a slight jump in sales since the release of Mario Kart 8, and is expected to see a larger increase when Super Smash Bros. releases on the console later this year.

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