PRESIDENT AND CEO
Japan Racing Association
POWER SCORE: 972
POSITION LAST YEAR: 11
CLAIMS TO FAME
- A 46-year veteran of the Japan Racing Association across numerous roles
AS A KEY GENERATOR of public revenue – much like the highly vaunted Hong Kong Jockey Club – long-serving Japan Racing Association (JRA) President and CEO Masayuki Goto presides over one of the most important pandemic- and post-pandemic-era industries in the region.
While gaming ventures across the globe were hit hard by the pandemic, including both Japan’s own pachinko industry and efforts to develop integrated resorts, the JRA kept powering along with 2020 turnover up 3.4% year-on-year to JPY2.89 trillion (US$19.6 billion) before rising another 3.6% in 2021 to JPY3.10 trillion (US$21.0 billion).
In the top job since 2014, the Tokyo native’s long period of service to the JRA started in 1975, and in the 46 years since, he has worked in a wide range of roles for the association. In the last 15 years these have included stints as director in charge of planning and finance and as executive director responsible for policy, stables and breeding.
He was also posted to the JRA’s New York office as chief representative for three years in the 1990s, giving him precious hands-on international experience.
For the full list of 2022 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
