Akira Chiba

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Akira Chiba is the president of Pokémon USA, Inc (PUI). He is head officer of all worldwide Pokémon business outside of Asia. Chiba joined PUI in 2002 to build momentum for one of the world's most popular entertainment properties comprised of video games, trading card games, an animated TV series, movies, toys, apparel and other licensed products. PUI manages Pokémon intellectual property rights, licensing, publishing of the trading card games, brand marketing and an e-commerce business.

Chiba has spent a good portion of his career establishing the U.S. subsidiaries of various Japanese companies including Recruit Co., Ltd., Tokyo and Sumitomo Real Estate Sales Co., Ltd. of Japan.

On Friday, December 23, 2005, Chiba, along with management, decided that 4Kids would not be responsible of the Pokémon anime. Under the agreement terms, 4Kids will receive commissions for the next several years on payments made under existing Pokémon license agreements. These commissions are expected to be paid out over the course of the next several years.

Prior to joining Pokémon, Mr. Chiba founded New York Living Magazine, a residential real estate publication. A graduate of Kobe University, Mr. Chiba has a degree in business administration. He currently resides in New York City

As of December 31, 2007, Mr. Chiba has stepped down from the position of Pokémon USA, Inc to pursue other opportunities. Kenji Okubo, EVP and head of Pokémon USA's Seattle office, is stepping into the vacated post.