TFC son dead at 58 of Covid-19 complications

Industry veterans have paid tribute to Tetsu Uemura, one of Japan’s best-known media executives internationally, who died in Tokyo of Covid-19-related complications on 21 April. He was 58 years old. 

Uemura was the son of Banjiro Uemura, the founder of Jasdaq-listed Japanese media/entertainment company Tohokushinsha Film Corporation (TFC). When his father retired in 2010, he took over as president and chief executive.

Long-time friend and colleague, HBO Asia’s former chief executive Jonathan Spink, described Uemura as “first and foremost a really wonderful person, generous of spirit and generous of time always available with help or advice.” 
“He straddled the Western and Japanese media business seemlessly, not an easy thing to do. His last year was very tough, which makes this news all the more tragic. I will remember him as a funny, intelligent charming man but mostly of all, a great friend who will be forever missed,” Spink added. 

Media Partners Asia (MPA) executive director, Vivek Couto, highlighted Uemura’s contribution to the media industry and mourned the loss of “a real gentleman”. Uemura was a familiar face at MPA’s annual event, APOS.

“Tetsu-san was a savvy executive who looked outwards, understood the value of partnerships, believed in change and innovation and was highly principled in his dealings,” Couto said. 

“He had a great sense of humility and humour and an ease of manner. He was warm and generous in equal measure. Finally he was a real gentleman who had dignity. His passing is incredibly tragic and he will be sorely missed”.

Rewind Networks’ founder, Avi Himatsinghani, talked about Uemura’s generosity in sharing his stories and his time. “He was a legend – loved by many across the world,” he said. 

“He always had great stories about his dad and the business relationships with the big studios... We last met over dinner in Singapore in January 2020, just before the coronavirus started creating havoc around the world. As usual it was a fantastic evening. Reminiscing about good times and talking about family and relationships over some great food and wine. His last message to me was, ‘I’m grateful to be blessed with friends such as you and you are welcome in Japan at anytime’. I am blessed to have known him and thankful for his friendship. Can’t believe that he is no more. Love you Tetsu my friend and brother. Rest in Peace.”

Among many achievements in his tenure at a company founded by his father in 1961, Tetsu extended partnerships with Hollywood studios, built new alliances, and entered retail segments. 

He also developed branded pay networks, a robust licensing business (including selling content to Netflix) and a theatrical business. 

“His last few years were spent really trying to take TFC into the new era and embrace the digital transition,” Couto said, adding: “He believed fervently in the group embracing change”.

Uemura stepped down as TFC president and chief executive officer in June last year after nine years.

“Like Charles, the king to-be, Tetsu had to wait a long time and, in a sense, never really got there,” said another long-time friend, Beng Teck Lim, the head of Malaysian media company Vision Plus Entertainment/Double Vision.

“But unlike Charles, while waiting, he worked tirelessly in the family business, always knowing exactly when and how to dispense his somewhat unique blend of Japanese work ethics with western educated (or more like movie acquired) values of fun, compassion and charisma to such great effect that he could charm us all almost at will,” Lim said. 

“Tetsu and I connected more as friends – bonded on a shared heritage of being indentured, not just to a business, but to a family business that spanned generations,” Lim said. 

“We understood each other well. Which is why my most poignant memory of him was when we first caught up after his father’s ‘retirement’, and Tetsu had finally become CEO. Before he could even sit down, he burst out with, “can you believe he came into the office last week?!” I looked at him, and although we both laughed, he didn’t have to explain further; I knew exactly what that meant for him and how he felt.” 

“And it also got me thinking very seriously, for the first time, about my own situation – when should I ‘retire’ (if at all, and is there such a thing as the right time?) and how should I ‘behave’ when I do, for the sake of the next generation. I still have no answer but I’m pretty sure my daughter will be grateful to him one day for this unintended consequence,” Lim said, adding: “So... here’s to you, Tetsu, from all of us – the ones who knew you as well as all those from the industry you so loved. We mourn the loss of your leadership, your sharp wit and your infectious zest for life. But most of all, we will dearly miss a good friend to share a sake (or two) and a trusted peer who would never deny our call for help if we ever needed one. You will be truly missed, my friend.”

R.I.P. Tetsu-san.