Xbox Japan boss Maruyama replaced

Yoshihiro Maruyama, the former Square Enix executive who led Microsoft's Xbox 360 efforts in Japan, was reassigned to "a strategic position within Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division" today. Replacing Maruyama is four-year Microsoft Japan veteran Takashi Sensui. Sensui will take on the role of general manager of the Xbox Division for Microsoft Japan. "Mr. Maruyama played a key role in launching Xbox 360 in Japan," Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft, said in a statement. "He secured vital partner relationships that are crucial to the long-term success of the business in the region. Having achieved this, Mr. Maruyama will transition to a new role where his unique vision and foresight will be applied in a strategic capacity within the Entertainment and Devices organization." Of Sensui's new role, Moore said, "Mr. Sensui will lead the business forward in Japan to build momentum at a time when key Japanese-developed games for Xbox 360 will soon be available."