Former Toei president Shigeru Okada passed away in a Tokyo hotel on Monday, at 5:55PM due to pneumonia. He was 87. Okada was born in Hiroshima in 1924. He graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1946, after which he joined film production company Toei Eiga. Okada began his career as a producer for Nihon Senpatsu Gakusei no Shuki: Kike, Wadatsumi no Koe, and quickly rose through the company. He was named president of the company in 1971, and served in the position for 22 years. Afterwards, he served as company chairman for nine years.

Okada also served on the board of directors of Toei Douga (later, Toei Animation) as chairman, from 1972 until the day of his death. Okada is survived by his wife Akiko, and son Yusuke, who is the current president of Toei.

We at Anime Dream offer our deepest condolences to Okada-san's family and friends.