Xbox Japan General Manager Maruyama Replaced

To say that the sales numbers for the Xbox 360 in Japan are less than stellar would be an understatement, and Microsoft apparently has decided someone should take the fall. Recently, Yoshihiro Maruyama, former General Manager for Microsoft?s Xbox Japan division, has been reassigned to what Microsoft calls ?a strategic position within Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division.? Taking Maruyama?s place will be another Microsoft Japan bigwig, Takashi Sensui, who?s been working on Microsoft?s front line in Japan for over four years.

During Maruyama?s time in the position, he secured Microsoft?s partnerships with Tetsuya Miguchi of [i]Rez[/i] fame, Hironobu Sakaguchi from the [i]Final Fantasy[/i] crew, and Yoshiki Okamoto, one of the original designers of the [i]Resident Evil[/i] series. As for what role Sensui will play in his new position, Microsoft?s Peter Moore stated that ?Mr. Sensui will lead the business forward in Japan to build momentum at a time when key Japanese-developed games for Xbox 360 will soon be available.?