This interview was originally published by Game Archeology, a Japanese project dedicated to preserving the history of the video game industry through interviews, research, and archival work. Led by game historian and researcher Akira Maeno (前野 晃), the site documents the people, companies, and business decisions that helped shape Japan's gaming industry.
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エンタメ異人伝 VOL.17 竹下和広
In this interview, former SNK international sales executive Kazuhiro Takeshita reflects on his career and his role in expanding SNK's presence across Europe during the rise of the Neo Geo. His firsthand account offers a rare look at the business side of Japan's game industry, from building overseas partnerships to navigating the challenges of bringing Japanese games to international markets.
While much of gaming history focuses on developers and hardware, Takeshita's story highlights another important part of the industry: the people responsible for introducing Japanese games to players around the world. Through his experiences, readers gain insight into how Japanese game companies approached international business during a period of rapid global growth.
