Chairman of Japanese toy model maker Tamiya dies at 90
Tamiya, who died Friday of undisclosed causes, was credited with raising the global profile of the Shizuoka-based toy maker. While the funeral was held privately by close relatives, the company plans to hold a memorial event.
The Shizuoka native long served as the company's president, helping raise his hometown's standing in the plastic model industry through trade and hobby shows, according to the maker.
After graduating from Waseda University in Tokyo in 1958, he joined Tamiya Shoji & Co., which was then operated by his father, Yoshio.
Tamiya became president of the company in 1984 and was named chairman in 2008.
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