Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, 55, Dies of Tumor

Satoru Iwata, who led Japanese video game company Nintendo Co. through years of growth with its Pokemon and Super Mario franchises, died July 11 of a bile duct tumor, the company said Monday. He was 55.

Iwata, president from 2002, died in a Kyoto University hospital. He had not been seen recently at game events where he was usually a participant.

Iwata led Nintendo's development into a global company, with its hit Wii home console, and also through its recent woes caused by the popularity of smartphones.

A funeral service will be held on July 17. He is survived by his wife Kayoko. The company declined to disclose other details of his family.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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