2006 Hall of Fame Inductee

Shintaro Tsuji, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sanrio Co., Ltd.

LIMA is proud to induct Shintaro Tsuji, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sanrio Co., Ltd. into the Murray Altchuler Licensing Industry Hall of Fame. In a career spanning over 30 years, Mr. Tsuji has truly been a visionary and a pioneer, developing a global company based on its iconic character. His keen insight opened up the Japanese market for the licensing industry and helped fuel its growth around the world.

Mr. Tsuji is the first industry executive from outside the U.S. to be recognized for his contributions to the licensing industry by LIMA. Mr. Tsuji is responsible for building one incredible cultural icon that has defined three decades of licensing, especially in the girls’ and young women’s market. He created an adorable kitty and other character “friends” based on a very simple and sweet look back in 1975.

His main character, Hello Kitty, grew into a global licensing phenomenon that continues to enchant new audiences and faithful older ones today. Hello Kitty has the distinct honor of being named by UNICEF as “Special Friend of Children” – a world-wide title.