Sega announces surprise president

New guy not the one pundits predicted

Newly reborn software company Sega has appointed a new president and COO, Hideki Sato, after Isao Owaka died of heart failure last Friday.

"The company believes Sato is the best person to take the leadership as he has long experience and deep knowledge about the company's technology and management," a company spokesman said.

The Japanese media had been expecting co-COO Tetsu Kayama Kayama to take the post, so Sato's appointment comes as something of a surprise. Sega said Kayama will continue to play a core role in management, supervising the company's restructuring plan as well as its software development division.

Sato joined Sega last year at Owaka's request from Recruit, where he dealt with game and content businesses. ®

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