March 01, 2025 I Obituary
Korg President, Representative Director Seiki Kato Passes Away
Seiki Kato
Korg has announced its president and representative director, Seiki Kato, passed away peacefully at 8 p.m. local time on Feb. 21 following an illness. He was 67.
Born in Tokyo on March 28, 1957, Kato was the eldest son of Tsutomu Kato, the founder of Korg. After graduating from Tokai University’s Department of Marine Science and Aquaculture, he joined Keio Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd., now Korg Inc., in 1980.
Early in his career, he worked in domestic sales, handling Korg products. By 1985, he became head of product planning, playing a pivotal role in the development of instruments such as the M1, an innovative music workstation.
In 1988, he moved to Korg USA, and, in October 1989, he was appointed president of Korg USA, where he played a key role in expanding Korg’s presence in the U.S. market. In 1995, he became executive vice president of Korg Inc., and in October 2003, he assumed the position of president and CEO.
According to a statement from Korg, Kato dedicated himself to the growth and success of the company, “guiding us with exceptional leadership and a warm, compassionate spirit.
For decades, Kato was a driving force behind Korg’s success, earning the deep respect and trust of colleagues and industry partners alike. The instruments he helped bring to life have empowered musicians around the world, shaping the future of music and artistic expression. We remain committed to carrying forward his passion and spirit of innovation, striving to create products that inspire. We sincerely appreciate your continued support.”
