Yamauchi, Industry Execs Top Japan's Richest List

Business magazine Forbes finds that many of Japan's wealthiest individuals come from the game industry.

Topping the list is Hiroshi Yamuachi, former Chairman of 55 years at Nintendo, with a net worth of $7.8 billion. Since the Wii's launch, Yamauchi's net income has jumped 48 percent to $2.5 billion.

Pachinko kingpin Kunio Busujima, valued at $5.4 billion, claims third place. Sales for his company Sankyo have risen due to fresh products, despite government regulation of the industry.

Square Enix Founder Yasuhiro Fukushima's $1.16 billion fortune has steadily increased since his original company, Enix, merged with competitor Square in 2003.

Konami chief Kagemasa Kozuki returns at number 34 with $790 million after disappearing from the top forty in 2002.

Sega Sammy's Hajime Satomi may be worth $760 million, but that figure is significantly lower than a year ago. Sluggish pachinko and slot machine sales have slammed Sega's stock.

Couple Keiko and Yoichi Erikawa started Koei three decades ago and now collect a combined $720 million. Keiko stands as the only self-made female on the Forbes 40 list.

The increase in value among Japan's richest individuals, up $10.7 billion in the past year, is attributed largely to the strengthening of the yen.