Studio Ghibli President Koji Hoshino Steps Down, Co-Founder Suzuki to Take Position

© 2013 Studio Ghibli・NDHDMTK

 

The president and chairman of Studio Ghibli, Koji Hoshino, announced on the studio’s website tonight that he will be retiring from the company, effective at the end of March 2023. Hoshino says that this is the “right time” for stepping down after the pandemic, the opening of Ghibli Park and the wrapping up of How Do You Live?, the next film from Hayao Miyazaki which is scheduled to be released on July 14. Hoshino will stay on in a representative capacity until the Annual Shareholders Meeting in June where a new chairman will be elected.

 

Hoshino said on the Studio Ghibli website:

 

“After 15 years of managing the studio since assuming the position in February 2008, I decided that this was the right time to leave Ghibli following the end of the three-year-long COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of Ghibli Park last November and the completion of Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film How Do You Live? From now on, I will entrust the management of the company to my successor, and I hope that he will be able to lead the new Ghibli.

 

On a personal note, I, Hoshino, will be 67 years old this May. From now on, I intend to make use of my experience and contacts to take on new challenges in new areas in the future.”

 

Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki will be returning to the role of president of Studio Ghibli after stepping down in 2008 for Hoshino to take over the role. The end of March is a common time in Japan to change up leadership roles as it is the end of the Japanese business year, which starts on April 1.

 

RELATED: Studio Ghibli, Friday Roadshow Team up For Combined Exhibition This June

 

Variety reached out to Studio Ghibli to ask if the resignation was connected to a recent article from Shukan Josei that first revealed that Hoshino was stepping down, before the official announcement, due to Suzuki’s misappropriating company resources for personal reasons. 

 

The spokesman said to Variety that “The reason for Mr. Hoshino’s resignation is as stated on the website. We have nothing to add to his comment. His resignation has nothing to do with the article about Mr. Suzuki to which you have referred.”

 

Sources: AnimeAnime.jp, Variety, Studio Ghibli

 

Thumbnail copyright:

© 1991 岡本 螢・刀根夕子・Studio Ghibli・NH

 

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Daryl Harding is a Senior Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.