Shigeru Miyamoto missed a key investor question-and-answer session due to a sudden health issue, though Nintendo reports he is in stable condition and expects a swift recovery.
Nintendo disclosed the absence of the 73-year-old creator of Super Mario Bros. in documentation released alongside the Q&A. Nintendo noted that a sudden health issue
kept the executive from participating on November 6, 2026.
Miyamoto Misses Imperial Palace Ceremony
Japan selected Shigeru Miyamoto to receive the prestigious Order of Culture, making him the first individual from the video game industry to earn the distinction. The health concern forced him to miss the historic ceremony at the Imperial Palace on November 3, 2026.
Emperor Naruhito was scheduled to present the honor recognizing his contributions to Japanese culture during the Tokyo event.
Miyamoto was sick and could not attend. But fear not he is expected to get better and return to work in a few days to a week.
Miyamoto emphasized collective effort over individual praise while discussing the honor at Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters. As I have often said, these achievements were not the work of one person, but the result of collaboration with many others, Miyamoto said.
He intended to accept the recognition on behalf of the many artists, developers, programmers, and colleagues who contributed across nearly five decades with the company.
Switch 2 Shipments Fell by 41.2%
Nintendo shipped 2.67 million Switch 2 units between July and September, marking a 41.2% decrease from 4.54 million units during the same period a year earlier. The financial briefing accompanying the Q&A detailed hardware figures for the company.
Lifetime shipments for the Switch 2 reached 26.35 million units as of September 30, and Nintendo maintained its forecast of 16.5 million units for the fiscal year ending in March 2027.
Miyamoto holds the titles of Representative Director, Member of the Board, and Executive Fellow. Tech Insider noted that the Executive Fellow title may point toward a guidance role rather than daily production.
The distinction is an inference because Nintendo has not officially spelled out the difference. Although he has gradually stepped away from hands-on development on individual games in recent years, he remains active in guiding the company’s creative direction.
Miyamoto Remains Stable with a Quick Recovery Expected
Nintendo confirmed that Miyamoto’s condition is presently stable. Company statements indicate an expected recovery timeframe of a few days to a week.
His recent work includes producing The Super Mario Bros. He has also helped bring Nintendo properties into the physical world through Universal’s Super Nintendo World attractions.
The recent Switch 2 remake of The Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which launched on November 5, lists him in its credits for original game design.
His last known public appearance took place on November 1, 2026, in a pre-recorded Pikmin Day Direct presentation. That segment featured updates regarding Pikmin Direct content, according to Nintendo Life.
That segment featured Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy. The game is scheduled for a worldwide digital and retail release on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 12, 2026.