MIXI Introduces New "Fellow" Position to Promote the Success of Specialized Talent with Executive-Level Treatment; Three Appointed
MIXI, Inc. has introduced a new "Fellow" position, effective April 1, 2026, to recognize and promote highly specialized talent with executive-level treatment. This initiative aims to establish clear career paths for experts, strengthen their specialized skills, and enhance corporate value over the long term by leveraging their contributions across the company's key projects and business expansion strategies. Three individuals, Hidetaka Kojo (Engineering), Taichi Takeno (IP/Content Business), and Takehito Masui (Entertainment Production), have been appointed as the first Fellows.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 04:23 (371h 35m after Collected)
MIXI, Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President, Senior Executive Officer CEO: Hiroki Kimura) announced today the establishment of a new "Fellow" position, the highest rank for specialized professionals, effective April 1, 2026, with three individuals appointed. This initiative aims to establish career paths for highly specialized talent and enhance long-term corporate value through strengthening their expertise.
■Background and Purpose of Introducing the New "Fellow" Position
The Fellow position is a senior role centered on "specialization," distinct from the management line. Individuals with outstanding knowledge and achievements will play a role in continuously creating company-wide value within their specialized fields. Positioned as a critical role comparable to management, driving discontinuous business growth, Fellows will receive executive-level treatment for their significant contributions to the entire company. This initiative aims to further encourage the success of highly specialized talent.
Going forward, through the activities of the Fellows, MIXI aims to return advanced expertise to business growth and strive for the enhancement of corporate value over the medium to long term.
■Introduction of New Fellows (Appointed April 1, 2026)
Hidetaka Kojo
Joined the company in 2006 as a new graduate engineer. After working in the Systems Division, MonSt Studio, and other departments, he joined the Development Division in September 2018. Appointed as a Fellow of the company in April 2026.
Since joining the company, he has been involved in stabilizing infrastructure and database foundations for many years, establishing a stable operation 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 solved highly complex infrastructure and database challenges, making significant contributions to the service's release. Currently, as a technical pillar of the company, he leads company-wide productivity improvement through the utilization of cutting-edge LLMs (Large Language Models), stable service operation, and continuous functional improvement.
After becoming a Fellow, he will leverage his advanced expertise across all departments, unconstrained by specific business areas, to lead the resolution of complex technical challenges in the company's most important projects. Furthermore, as an embodiment of MIXI's technical capabilities, he will contribute to the recruitment of highly specialized talent and the development of next-generation engineers, while also playing a role in driving the improvement 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 and head of the department before becoming independent in 2025. After working as an IP content consultant, he joined the company in April 2026 and was appointed Fellow in the same month.
In his previous role, he spearheaded the launch of "Disney Tsum Tsum," which became a nationally popular title 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.
After becoming a Fellow, he will maximize his achievements in creating major hits in the IP and content business domain and his domestic and international network to strengthen the company's core businesses. He will also lead the global expansion of Japanese IPs, large alliances, and M&A to improve the company's presence within and outside the industry. He will conceive and execute business growth strategies that transcend the framework of existing businesses to enhance corporate value, and also establish sustainable competitive advantage by systematizing his producing capabilities and building a system to pass them on to the next generation.
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 the Strategic Planning Office in 2023. Joined the company in April 2025 as Executive Producer and Special Assistant to the President's Office (concurrently Senior Producer at Warner Music Japan Inc.'s President's Office). Appointed as a Fellow of the company in April 2026.
In his previous role as a director, he led artists such as Tomohisa Yamashita to achieve No. 1 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 concert by a Japanese HIPHOP artist, leaving significant achievements in the entertainment industry.
After becoming a Fellow, he will leverage his strong domestic and international network and high producing capabilities within the entertainment industry and beyond to create new and discontinuous business opportunities, including the creation of new IPs, large-scale alliances, and global collaborations. He will also play a role in driving the enhancement of the company's corporate brand value.