Hirotada Koutaki, the former chairman of Tohan, died on January 6 at the age of 96. His funeral was attended by close family members. A memorial register has been established at Tohan's headquarters in Tokyo's Shinjuku district from March 4 to March 6 for the public to pay their respects. Koutaki was born in 1929 and joined the company, then known as Tokyo Publishing Sales, in 1953. He served as president starting in 1991 and later became chairman from 1999 until 2010, playing a critical role in the company's development. During his presidency, Koutaki changed the company's name to Tohan in 1992, marking a significant rebranding that aligned with the company's evolving role in the publishing industry. Beyond his work at Tohan, he also held leadership positions in key industry organizations, including as president of the Japan Publishing Distribution Association and chairman of the National Publishing Association. His contributions were vital in shaping Japan's publishing landscape and supporting its transition into the modern era.