"Maintaining appropriate compensation levels is crucial" - Nintendo Confirms New Employee Salary Increases Introduced in April 2026

Nintendo has clarified confusion surrounding employee salaries following its latest annual shareholders meeting, confirming that reports of a new 10% base salary increase in 2026 were inaccurate. The clarification came after an incomplete summary of President Shuntaro Furukawa’s remarks led to widespread reports suggesting the company had approved another double-digit pay raise.

According to Nintendo’s official Q&A from the shareholders meeting, the 10% increase actually refers to the salary revision introduced in April 2023, while additional pay adjustments were made separately in April 2026. The clarification highlights Nintendo’s long-term approach to employee compensation as the gaming industry continues to compete for skilled talent.

Nintendo says compensation is designed for long-term stability

In the official shareholder meeting Q&A, Furukawa explained that Nintendo’s compensation philosophy is centered on providing financial stability rather than tying employee income directly to company performance. He stated that salary levels are reviewed by considering both industry trends and broader social conditions.

He explained,

“Salaries form the foundation of our employees’ livelihoods; if pay were to fluctuate drastically based on business performance, it would be difficult for them to work with peace of mind.”

Furukawa added that maintaining appropriate compensation allows employees to pursue new ideas and create innovative entertainment without worrying about short-term financial uncertainty.

“We believe that maintaining appropriate compensation levels is crucial to fostering an environment where employees can take on the challenge of creating new forms of entertainment without fear of failure,” he said.

The executive also clarified that Nintendo increased base salaries in Japan by 10% in April 2023, and since then has continued reviewing its compensation system to better reflect employees’ abilities.

Nintendo confirms additional salary increases took effect in 2026

Although there was no new 10% salary increase announced this year, Nintendo confirmed that employee pay continues to rise. Furukawa stated,

“We implemented further salary increases—including for starting salaries—in April 2026. We remain committed to ensuring appropriate compensation moving forward.”

Nintendo did not disclose the exact percentage of the latest increase, but the company emphasized that both existing employees and new hires benefited from the revised compensation structure. The clarification comes after several media outlets interpreted the initial meeting summary as announcing a fresh 10% base salary increase.

The same shareholders’ meeting also addressed speculation surrounding veteran game designer Takashi Tezuka. Nintendo confirmed that while Tezuka is stepping down from his Executive Officer position, he is not retiring from the company and will continue contributing to Nintendo’s game development efforts.