MIXI Introduces New 'Fellow' Position to Promote Highly Specialized Talent with Executive-Level Treatment, Three Appointed

MIXI, Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Hiroki Kimura, Representative Director, President, Senior Executive Officer, CEO) announced today the establishment of a new top-tier professional position called 'Fellow,' effective April 1, 2026, with three individuals appointed. This initiative aims to establish career paths for highly specialized talent and enhance mid-to-long-term corporate value through strengthened expertise.

■ Background and Purpose of Introducing the New 'Fellow' Position

The 'Fellow' position is a senior role centered on 'specialized expertise,' distinct from the management line. Individuals with outstanding knowledge and achievements will be responsible for continuously creating company-wide value within their specialized domains. This position is regarded as a critical role, comparable to executive management, for driving non-continuous business growth, and appointees will receive treatment equivalent to that of executives in recognition of their significant contributions to the entire company. This will further encourage the active participation of highly specialized talent.

Moving forward, through the active contributions of these Fellows, MIXI aims to leverage advanced expertise for business growth and enhance mid-to-long-term corporate value.

■ Introduction of New Fellows (Appointed April 1, 2026)

Hidetaka Kojo

Joined the company as a new graduate engineer in 2006. After working in the System Division, MonSt Studio, and other departments, he joined the Development Division in September 2018. Appointed as a Fellow of the company from April 2026.

Since joining, he has been dedicated to stabilizing infrastructure and database foundations for many years, establishing a stable operational system for the company's large-scale services. He has also led the development of voice chat systems and AI middleware. For 'mixi2,' which launched in December 2024, he resolved highly complex infrastructure and database challenges, making significant contributions to the service's release. Currently, as a technical pillar of the company, he is driving company-wide productivity improvements, stable service operation, and continuous functional enhancements through the utilization of cutting-edge LLMs (Large Language Models).

Upon assuming the Fellow position, he will apply his advanced expertise across the entire company, without being confined to specific business areas, to lead the resolution of complex technical challenges in MIXI's most critical projects. He will also serve as an embodiment of MIXI's technical capabilities, contributing to the recruitment of highly specialized talent and the development of next-generation engineers, while leading the enhancement of the company's technical presence.

Taichi Takeno

At Walt Disney Japan Co., Ltd., he led game business and digital content business for 14 years, serving as Executive Director responsible for the division, before becoming independent in 2025. After working as an IP content consultant, he joined MIXI in April 2026 and was appointed as a Fellow in the same month.

In his previous role, he led the launch of 'Disney Tsum Tsum,' which became a national hit in 2014, and 'Disney Twisted-Wonderland' in 2020. He built partnerships with various domestic and international game and entertainment companies and creators, producing numerous unique Japanese Disney content and achieving significant results in the industry.

Upon assuming the Fellow position, he will maximize his track record of creating major hits in the IP and content business domain and his domestic and international network to strengthen MIXI's core businesses, lead the global expansion of Japanese IP, major alliances, and M&A, and enhance the company's presence both within and outside the industry. He will conceptualize and execute business growth strategies that transcend existing business frameworks to increase corporate value, and also establish mechanisms to systematize his producing capabilities and pass them on to the next generation, thereby ensuring the establishment of sustainable competitive advantage.

Takehito Masui

Joined Warner Music Japan Inc. in 2010. Served as Executive Producer for Warner Music Entertainment in 2021, and was appointed Executive Officer and Head of Strategic Planning Office in 2023. Joined MIXI in April 2025 as Executive Producer and Special Assistant to the President (concurrently serving as Senior Producer attached to the President's Office at Warner Music Japan Inc.). Appointed as a Fellow of the company from April 2026.

In his previous role as a director, he led artists such as Tomohisa Yamashita to top positions on major music charts, contributing to song hits. Later, as a producer, he launched the 'Atarashii Chizu' project and produced 'BAD HOP THE FINAL at TOKYODOME,' the first solo Tokyo Dome performance by a Japanese HIPHOP artist, achieving significant accomplishments in the entertainment industry.

Upon assuming the Fellow position, he will leverage his strong domestic and international network in the entertainment industry and high producing capabilities to create new IP, forge major alliances, and establish global collaborations, thereby generating non-continuous new business opportunities. He will also play a role in driving the enhancement of MIXI's corporate brand value.

■ MIXI, Inc. < https://mixi.co.jp/ >

Under the purpose of "Expanding rich communication and enveloping the world in happy surprises," MIXI provides communication services that friends and families can enjoy together, such as "mixi," "Monster Strike," "Family Album Mitene," and "TIPSTAR." Based on our cherished spirit of "User Surprise First," our mission is to continuously create "heart-connecting" places and opportunities that foster deep, rich communication, rather than just connections, thereby contributing to the realization of an emotionally rich and connected society.

*The name MIXI, and related trademarks and logos, are trademarks and registered trademarks of MIXI, Inc.