H ajime Satomi is a Japanese billionaire and the founder, chairman, and former CEO of the Sega Sammy Holdings, a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate. His career began with the founding of Sammy Corporation in the 1970s, a company that became a dominant force in manufacturing and selling pachinko and pachislot machines, the highly popular pinball-like arcade games that are a cornerstone of Japanese gambling culture.

His most significant and high-profile business move came in 2004 when his company, Sammy, acquired the legendary but struggling video game company, Sega. The merger created Sega Sammy Holdings, a diversified entertainment giant with major interests in arcade games, video game software (with iconic franchises like *Sonic the Hedgehog*), and pachinko machines. Satomi has also led the company's expansion into the integrated resort and casino industry. He is also a passionate and highly successful thoroughbred racehorse owner, with his horses winning some of Japan's most prestigious races.