WIRED reported in March that Good Smile Company invested US$2.4 million in 4chan in 2015, acquiring a 30% share in the website’s finances.
After Kadokawa and Dwango merged in 2014 to form Kadokawa Dwango, Kawakami served as chairman of Kadokawa Dwango.
The Nendoroid and Figma toy company’s investment was part of the 2015 sale of 4chan to 2channel founder Hiroyuki Nishimura.
Good Smile Company said in a statement to WIRED in April, “We do not have a partnership with 4chan, never had influence over the management and/or control of 4chan.”