Isao Matsuoka
Isao Matsuoka (松岡 功, Matsuoka Isao, born December 18, 1934) is a longtime studio executive and former chairman of Toho Co., Ltd. The grandson of Toho founder Ichizō Kobayashi, he is a graduate of the prestigious Konan University. Matsuoka served as Chairman of the Toho Co., Ltd., for 14 years until his retirement in 2009. He had previously served as President and worked for the company for over 50 years having joined in 1957.
Matsuoka is credited with helping establish Toho as the preeminent film production, distribution and exhibition company in Japan with his revolutionary and innovative reforms. Established in 1932, Toho is known internationally for its Godzilla series and the Akira Kurosawa classics such as Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Kagemusha.
Mr Matsuoka was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Association of Theatre Owners at ShoWest in 2007,[1] and the FIAPF Award for outstanding achievement in film at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.[2]
He has 2 sons, Shuzo Matsuoka, a former professional tennis player, and Hiroyasu Matsuoka, who followed his father into the film business and currently serves as the International Head and Head of Movie Sales & Film Division at Toho Co. Ltd.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "ShoWest hails Matsuoka". Hollywood Reporter. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "FIAPF Award winners". Asia Pacific Screen Awards. November 2009. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Toho Co Ltd (9602:Tokyo Stock Exchange)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
External links[edit]
- Isao Matsuoka at IMDb
- Isao Matsuoka at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Toho Co. Toho official webpage (in Japanese)