Hiroyasu "Hiro" Matsuoka (松岡 宏泰, Matsuoka Hiroyasu; born April 18, 1966) is a Japanese businessman.[1] He has served as Representative Director, President, and CEO of Toho Co., Ltd. since May 2022, becoming the 15th person to hold the position.
Hiro Matsuoka | |
|---|---|
松岡 宏泰 | |
 Matsuoka at the Prime Minister's Office in September 2024 | |
| Born | Hiroyasu Matsuoka April 18, 1966 Rome, Italy |
| Citizenship | Japan |
| Education | Keio University University of Pittsburgh (MBA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Organization | Toho Co., Ltd. |
| Title | Representative Director, President and CEO of Toho Co., Ltd. (2022–present) Chairman of Toho-Towa Co., Ltd. (2015–present) Part-time Director of Kansai Television Part-time Director of BS Fuji Councilor of the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute |
| Father | Isao Matsuoka |
| Relatives | Shuzo Matsuoka (younger brother) |
Early life
editHiroyasu Matsuoka was born on April 18, 1966,[2][3] in Rome, Italy, while his father, Isao Matsuoka (later the 11th president and current honorary chairman of Toho), was stationed at the company's European office there.[1] He is Isao's eldest son and the middle child. He belongs to the prominent Matsuoka family, which has deep historical ties to the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group through intermarriage with the Kobayashi family, founders of the Hankyu empire and originators of the Takarazuka Revue.[4][5]
Matsuoka was educated entirely within the Keio Gijuku system, attending Keio Yochisha Elementary School, Keio Junior High School, Keio Senior High School, and graduating from the Faculty of Law at Keio University in 1989. During university he was heavily involved in the tennis club of the Athletic Association, later reflecting that his half-hearted commitment to the sport during those years taught him the importance of full dedication in professional life. After graduation he studied in the United States,[6] earning a degree in business administration from Albright College in 1991 and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business in July 1992.[3] While abroad he occasionally supported his younger brother Shuzo, then a professional tennis player, during tournament tours.[6]
Career
editIn 1992, Matsuoka entered the film industry by joining the prominent Hollywood talent agency International Creative Management (ICM), where he started in an entry-level role and gained valuable insight into the workings of the American entertainment business.[7] He returned to Japan in 1994 and joined Toho-Towa,[1] Toho's international distribution and co-production arm. He progressed steadily at Toho-Towa, becoming a director in 1998, president in 2008, and chairman in 2015. At the parent company, he was appointed a director of Toho in 2014, managing director in 2018, and managing executive officer in 2021, with responsibility for film planning, coordination, and international strategy.[2]
On May 26, 2022, Matsuoka was named the 15th president and CEO of Toho Co., Ltd., succeeding Yoshishige Shimatani.[2] Since taking the helm, he has driven the company's "TOHO VISION 2032" long-term strategy, which focuses on significantly expanding international revenue through stronger IP development, direct global distribution, strategic acquisitions, and new overseas operations.[8] He has executive-produced several major international projects, including collaborations with Hollywood studios and the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. He also has personal connections in the international film industry and is a friend of actor Tom Cruise.[9]
Matsuoka holds Japanese citizenship and is professionally known as Hiro Matsuoka in English-language media, international business contexts, and on Toho's official English-language website.[10][11][12][13][14] He also speaks fluent English.[15]
Family tree
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References
edit- 1 2 3 Shiga, Yuichi. "Godzilla-owner Toho steps out into the world with new confidence". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- 1 2 3 "代表取締役の異動に関するお知らせ" (PDF). 東宝株式会社 (in Japanese). Toho Co., Ltd. 2022-03-22. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 ダイヤモンド経営者倶楽部 (2026-03-30). "『Moments for Life その時間が、人生の力になる。』 ～創業100周年を見据えた東宝の世界戦略～". 出版社のダイヤモンド社が主催する - ダイヤモンド経営者倶楽部 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ 菊地浩之. "松岡修造の兄、東宝社長に就任……"宝塚をつくった曽祖父"小林一三と松岡家の稀代の歴史". ビジネスジャーナル/Business Journal | ポジティブ視点の考察で企業活動を応援 企業とともに歩む「共創型メディア」. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ "インタビュー". www.vipo.or.jp. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- 1 2 "【初・兄弟取材】兄・松岡宏泰より、弟・松岡修造へ「わがままだけどかわいい弟です」 『家庭画報2月号』にて". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). 2014-12-27. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ "トップインタビュー:松岡宏泰・東宝東和代表取締役社長". 文化通信.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ "Hiroyasu Matsuoka: Leading Toho's Continued Breakthrough". Keio University. April 15, 2026. Archived from the original on May 20, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ TV Tokyo Biz (2026-05-22). ゴジラの東宝が最高益517億！“上映回数が減る”「3時間の異例作」国宝をメガヒットさせた戦略【カンブリア宮殿】. Event occurs at 00:02:36. Retrieved 2026-06-06 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (2024-05-21). "How A VFX Oscar For 'Godzilla Minus One' Has Made Japanese Stalwart Toho Group A Monster In The North American Market". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ Nagumo, Jada; Tani, Shotaro. "Toho and Sanrio harnessing the power of their characters for growth". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ Staff, Variety (2000-06-05). "World Briefs". Variety. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ "Hiro Matsuoka". Variety. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ "Company Profile | TOHO CO., LTD". www.toho.co.jp. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ Kim, Sohee (July 17, 2025). "Toho CEO Speaks on The Future of Entertainment". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 6, 2026.