![Masao Kawakami](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="16" fill="%231b1b1b" class="bi bi-person-fill" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path d="M3 14s-1 0-1-1 1-4 6-4 6 3 6 4-1 1-1 1zm5-6a3 3 0 1 0 0-6 3 3 0 0 0 0 6"/></svg>)
Masao Kawakami
Founder at
DWANGO CO., LTD.
Net worth: 132 M $ as of 2026-07-30
Profile
Masao Kawakami is the founder of DWANGO Co., Ltd., established in 1997, serving as Chairman since 2013.
Current jobs include Chairman of smiledge Co., Ltd. since 2013, Chairman of Virtual Cast, Inc., Director of Khara, Inc. since 2013, Director of Kadokawa Corp.
since 2019, Director of Reinforce, Inc. since 2014, Director of KADOKAWA ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. since 2014, Director of Gzbrain, Inc. since 2017, and Director of Vaka, Inc. since 2018.
Former jobs include Outside Director at Kadokawa Key-Process Corp.
from 2011 to 2013 and Director at BOOK WALKER Co., Ltd.
Known holdings in public companies
| Company | Date | Number of shares | Valuation | Valuation date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
KADOKAWA CORPORATION 4.05% | 2025-09-29 | 6,036,000 ( 4.05% ) | 132 M $ | 2026-07-30 |
Masao Kawakami active positions
| Companies | Position | Start |
|---|---|---|
| DWANGO CO., LTD. | Founder | 1997-08-05 |
| KADOKAWA CORPORATION | Director/Board Member | 2014-09-30 |
smiledge Co., Ltd.
 smiledge Co., Ltd. Advertising/Marketing ServicesCommercial Services Operates as an advertising agency; plans and produces advertising materials | Chairman | 2013-02-28 |
Khara, Inc. | Director/Board Member | 2013-05-31 |
Reinforce, Inc. | Director/Board Member | 2014-03-02 |
KADOKAWA ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. | Director/Board Member | 2014-05-31 |
Gzbrain, Inc. | Director/Board Member | 2017-06-30 |
Vaka, Inc. | Director/Board Member | 2018-01-31 |
Virtual Cast, Inc. | Chairman | - |
Former positions of Masao Kawakami
| Companies | Position | End |
|---|---|---|
| ░░░░ ░░░░░░ ░░░░ ░░░░ | ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░ | - |
| ░░░░░░░░ ░░░░ | ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░ | - |
Experiences
Positions held
Active
Inactive
Listed companies
Private companies
Connections
49
1st degree connections
11
1st degree companies
Male
Female
Members of the board
Executives
Linked companies
| Private companies | 11 |
|---|---|
Kadokawa Future Publishing KK
 Kadokawa Future Publishing KK Publishing: Books/MagazinesConsumer Services Publishes books, magazines and software & operates cinemas | Consumer Services |
Dwango Co., Ltd.
 Dwango Co., Ltd. Packaged SoftwareTechnology Services Develops mobile application games and provide communication, education & event organizing services | Technology Services |
BOOK WALKER Co., Ltd.
 BOOK WALKER Co., Ltd. Commercial Printing/FormsCommercial Services Produces, publishes, and distributes electronic contents | Commercial Services |
smiledge Co., Ltd.
smiledge Co., Ltd. Advertising/Marketing ServicesCommercial Services Operates as an advertising agency; plans and produces advertising materials | Commercial Services |
Khara, Inc. | |
Kadokawa Corp.
 Kadokawa Corp. Publishing: Books/MagazinesConsumer Services Publishes and distributes printed and electronic books and magazines | Consumer Services |
Reinforce, Inc. | |
KADOKAWA ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. | |
Gzbrain, Inc. | |
Vaka, Inc. | |
Virtual Cast, Inc. |
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