Yukinori Taniguchi
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese businessperson
and auto racing driver. He founded Yuke's, a video game developer company, in Sakai, Osaka
in 1993.
at the same time when he entered into Osaka Prefecture University
(Engineering).
. He developed about 20 games until his graduation from the university. After the graduation, he hit on the development of professional wrestling
games to make use of 3D graphics
performance of PlayStation
thus his company's Toukon Retsuden, put on the market from Tomy
in 1995, succeeded and came to became a series.
The success of the Toukon Retsuden series made Yuke's obtain capital and the company developed Evil Zone
the first game to sell under the name of the Yuke's. The game did not succeed in Japan but the loss has recovered by sales in foreign countries.
Because of the experience, he determined to aim at an United States
market and developed WWF SmackDown!
. The game that had been put on the market in 2000 not only was sold 2 million in the United States but also made success also in Japan. In Japan, the game contributed to the eminence improvement of World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) that was the base of the game.
In 2005, Taniguchi bought a part of the stocks of New Japan Pro Wrestling
that slumping business, and supporting management ardently. This action has raised his eminence among the professional wrestling fan in Japan.
's Team Orange (Team Yuke's) in the D1 Grand Prix
and Yuke's developed game series of the event.
He entered in some spec racing series as a driver. In 2005, he competed in Super Taikyu on Nissan 350Z
with Tarzan Yamada
and became series champion. In 2007, he competed in the Japan Le Mans Challenge
, and won a race and became runner-up in the season
.
In 2008
Taniguchi competed in two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship
(WTCC) in a Honda Accord
for the N. Technology team alongside regular driver James Thompson
. After a break, Taniguchi returned to the WTCC
in 2010 with Bamboo Engineering
, racing in the final three events of the season in a Chevrolet Lacetti, previously driven by Harry Vaulkhard
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
and auto racing driver. He founded Yuke's, a video game developer company, in Sakai, Osaka
Sakai, Osaka
is a city in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the Medieval era.Following the February 2005 annexation of the town of Mihara, from Minamikawachi District, the city has grown further and is now the fourteenth most populous city in...
in 1993.
Early career
Taniguchi enthused about the game production at high school days and contracted with game company in Hiroshima thus he began professional career. He graduated from the high school in 1989 through studying in the United States and became the chief of the Osaka development department of CompileCompile (software company)
Compile Co., Ltd. was a Japanese video game company established on April 7, 1982, under the name Programmers-3. Founded by Masamitsu Niitani , they were famed for developing shooters and puzzle games such as Aleste and Puyo Puyo.Compile filed for bankruptcy and disbanded in 2003, but the franchise...
at the same time when he entered into Osaka Prefecture University
Osaka Prefecture University
, also abbreviated to , is one of the largest public universities in Japan. The main campus is among big Kofun tombs in Sakai, Osaka.- History :...
(Engineering).
Professional wrestling
In 1993, Taniguchi founded his own company, Yuke's, at his apartment in Sakai, OsakaSakai, Osaka
is a city in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the Medieval era.Following the February 2005 annexation of the town of Mihara, from Minamikawachi District, the city has grown further and is now the fourteenth most populous city in...
. He developed about 20 games until his graduation from the university. After the graduation, he hit on the development of professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
games to make use of 3D graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
performance of PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
thus his company's Toukon Retsuden, put on the market from Tomy
TOMY
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
in 1995, succeeded and came to became a series.
The success of the Toukon Retsuden series made Yuke's obtain capital and the company developed Evil Zone
Evil Zone
Evil Zone or is a fighting game released for the PlayStation console. It was developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators and published by Titus Software in 1999...
the first game to sell under the name of the Yuke's. The game did not succeed in Japan but the loss has recovered by sales in foreign countries.
Because of the experience, he determined to aim at an United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
market and developed WWF SmackDown!
WWF SmackDown!
WWF SmackDown! is a professional wrestling video game released on the PlayStation console by THQ and developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators. It is part of the WWF SmackDown! series based on the World Wrestling Federation professional wrestling promotion...
. The game that had been put on the market in 2000 not only was sold 2 million in the United States but also made success also in Japan. In Japan, the game contributed to the eminence improvement of World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) that was the base of the game.
In 2005, Taniguchi bought a part of the stocks of New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
that slumping business, and supporting management ardently. This action has raised his eminence among the professional wrestling fan in Japan.
Racing career
Taniguchi supported Nobushige KumakuboNobushige Kumakubo
is a drifting driver from Japan who competes in the D1 Grand Prix series and racetrack and land owner. Nicknamed Kuma, he is commonly referred to one of the pioneers of drifting....
's Team Orange (Team Yuke's) in the D1 Grand Prix
D1 Grand Prix
The , abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled Professional Drift, is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Option magazine & Tokyo Auto Salon founder Daijiro Inada, and drifting legend Keiichi Tsuchiya hosted a professional level drifting...
and Yuke's developed game series of the event.
He entered in some spec racing series as a driver. In 2005, he competed in Super Taikyu on Nissan 350Z
Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z is a two seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002 to 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut...
with Tarzan Yamada
Tarzan Yamada
is a Japanese time attack driver. He is currently a judge at American Formula D events. Yamada has raced in both the JGTC and Japanese Touring Car Championship....
and became series champion. In 2007, he competed in the Japan Le Mans Challenge
Japan Le Mans Challenge
The Japan Le Mans Challenge was an endurance sportscar series based in Japan built around the 24 Hours of Le Mans that began in 2006. It was run by the Sports Car Endurance Race Operation sanctioning body and ran under the rules laid out by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest...
, and won a race and became runner-up in the season
2007 Japan Le Mans Challenge season
The 2007 Japan Le Mans Challenge season was the second for the Japan Le Mans Challenge, a series created by the SERO and sanctioned by the ACO...
.
In 2008
2008 World Touring Car Championship season
The 2008 World Touring Car Championship season was the fifth World Touring Car Championship season, the fourth since its 2005 return. It began on March 2, and ended on November 16, after twenty-four races...
Taniguchi competed in two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
(WTCC) in a Honda Accord
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a series of compact, mid-size and full-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in a majority of automotive markets throughout the world....
for the N. Technology team alongside regular driver James Thompson
James Thompson (racing driver)
James Thompson is a British auto racing driver and commentator for Eurosport's motorsport coverage. He has twice been champion of the British Touring Car Championship , and was third in the 2007 World Touring Car Championship.-Racing career:He started racing in the BTCC in a privately-entered...
. After a break, Taniguchi returned to the WTCC
2010 World Touring Car Championship season
The 2010 World Touring Car Championship season was the seventh season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and the sixth since its 2005 return. It began with the Race of Brazil at Curitiba on March 7 and ended with the Guia Race of Macau at the Guia Circuit on November 21, after twenty-two...
in 2010 with Bamboo Engineering
Bamboo Engineering
Bamboo Engineering is a British auto racing team that competes in the World Touring Car Championship.-History:The team was formed in July 2009 following the departure of team director Richard Coleman from Tempus Sport...
, racing in the final three events of the season in a Chevrolet Lacetti, previously driven by Harry Vaulkhard
Harry Vaulkhard
Harry Vaulkhard is a racing driver. In 2010 he has been racing in the World Touring Car Championship for Bamboo Engineering. His father Nigel also races.-Early career:...
Complete WTCC results
(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 2008 World Touring Car Championship season The 2008 World Touring Car Championship season was the fifth World Touring Car Championship season, the fourth since its 2005 return. It began on March 2, and ended on November 16, after twenty-four races... |
N.Technology N.Technology N.Technology is an Italian auto racing team, founded by Mauro Sipsz and Monica Bregoli.- Team history :N.Technology were set up to manage the worldwide sporting activities of the Fiat Group... |
Honda Accord Euro R Honda Accord The Honda Accord is a series of compact, mid-size and full-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in a majority of automotive markets throughout the world.... |
BRA 1 |
BRA 2 |
MEX 1 |
MEX 2 |
ESP 1 |
ESP 2 |
FRA 1 |
FRA 2 |
CZE 1 |
CZE 2 |
POR 1 |
POR 2 |
GBR 1 |
GBR 2 |
GER 1 |
GER 2 |
EUR 1 |
EUR 2 |
ITA 1 21 |
ITA 2 Ret |
JPN 1 20 |
JPN 2 19 |
MAC 1 |
MAC 2 |
NC | 0 |
| 2010 2010 World Touring Car Championship season The 2010 World Touring Car Championship season was the seventh season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and the sixth since its 2005 return. It began with the Race of Brazil at Curitiba on March 7 and ended with the Guia Race of Macau at the Guia Circuit on November 21, after twenty-two... |
bamboo-engineering Bamboo Engineering Bamboo Engineering is a British auto racing team that competes in the World Touring Car Championship.-History:The team was formed in July 2009 following the departure of team director Richard Coleman from Tempus Sport... |
Chevrolet Lacetti | BRA 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil The 2010 FIA WTCC HSBC Race of Brazil was a World Touring Car Championship round held at Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba near Curitiba, Brazil on 7 March 2010. It was the opening round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season and the fifth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Brazil... |
BRA 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil The 2010 FIA WTCC HSBC Race of Brazil was a World Touring Car Championship round held at Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba near Curitiba, Brazil on 7 March 2010. It was the opening round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season and the fifth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Brazil... |
MAR 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco The 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco was the second round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Marrakech Street Circuit in Marrakech, Morocco on 2 May 2010. It was the second running of the FIA WTCC Race of Morocco... |
MAR 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco The 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco was the second round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Marrakech Street Circuit in Marrakech, Morocco on 2 May 2010. It was the second running of the FIA WTCC Race of Morocco... |
ITA 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Italy The 2010 FIA WTCC Yokohama Race of Italy was the third round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, near Monza, Italy on May 23, 2010. It was the sixth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Italy... |
ITA 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Italy The 2010 FIA WTCC Yokohama Race of Italy was the third round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, near Monza, Italy on May 23, 2010. It was the sixth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Italy... |
BEL 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium The 2010 FIA WTCC Monroe Race of Belgium was the fourth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at Circuit Zolder, near Heusden-Zolder, Belgium on June 20, 2010... |
BEL 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium The 2010 FIA WTCC Monroe Race of Belgium was the fourth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at Circuit Zolder, near Heusden-Zolder, Belgium on June 20, 2010... |
POR 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal The 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal was the fifth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão in Portugal on July 4, 2010. It was the fourth running of the Race of Portugal, and the first time the series had visited the... |
POR 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal The 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal was the fifth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão in Portugal on July 4, 2010. It was the fourth running of the Race of Portugal, and the first time the series had visited the... |
GBR 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of UK The 2010 FIA WTCC Marriott Race of UK was the sixth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at Brands Hatch in Kent, England on July 18, 2010. It was the sixth running of the Race of UK... |
GBR 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of UK The 2010 FIA WTCC Marriott Race of UK was the sixth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at Brands Hatch in Kent, England on July 18, 2010. It was the sixth running of the Race of UK... |
CZE 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of the Czech Republic The 2010 FIA WTCC Monroe Race of the Czech Republic was the seventh round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Masaryk Circuit near Brno, Czech Republic on August 1, 2010. It was the fifth running of the Race of the Czech Republic... |
CZE 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of the Czech Republic The 2010 FIA WTCC Monroe Race of the Czech Republic was the seventh round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Masaryk Circuit near Brno, Czech Republic on August 1, 2010. It was the fifth running of the Race of the Czech Republic... |
GER 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Germany The 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Germany is the eighth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It is being held at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben near Oschersleben, Germany on September 5, 2010. It is the sixth running of the Race of Germany.... 17 |
GER 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Germany The 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Germany is the eighth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It is being held at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben near Oschersleben, Germany on September 5, 2010. It is the sixth running of the Race of Germany.... 14 |
ESP 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Spain The 2010 FIA WTCC DHL Race of Spain was the ninth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valencia, Spain on September 19, 2010. It was the sixth running of the Race of Spain. The two races were won by SR-Sport drivers Gabriele Tarquini... 17 |
ESP 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Spain The 2010 FIA WTCC DHL Race of Spain was the ninth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valencia, Spain on September 19, 2010. It was the sixth running of the Race of Spain. The two races were won by SR-Sport drivers Gabriele Tarquini... 18 |
JPN 1 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Japan The 2010 FIA WTCC Kenwood Race of Japan was the tenth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Okayama International Circuit near Mimasaka, Japan on October 31, 2010. It was the third running of the Race of Spain... 9 |
JPN 2 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Japan The 2010 FIA WTCC Kenwood Race of Japan was the tenth round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was held at the Okayama International Circuit near Mimasaka, Japan on October 31, 2010. It was the third running of the Race of Spain... 16 |
MAC 1 2010 Guia Race of Macau The 2010 FIA WTCC Guia Race of Macau, presented by Sociedade de Jogos de Macau was the eleventh and final round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was the sixth running of the Guia Race of Macau as a World Touring Car Championship round. It was held on the Guia Circuit on the... 13 |
MAC 2 2010 Guia Race of Macau The 2010 FIA WTCC Guia Race of Macau, presented by Sociedade de Jogos de Macau was the eleventh and final round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season. It was the sixth running of the Guia Race of Macau as a World Touring Car Championship round. It was held on the Guia Circuit on the... Ret |
18th | 4 | ||
| 2011 2011 World Touring Car Championship season The 2011 World Touring Car Championship season is the eighth season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and the seventh since its 2005 return... |
bamboo-engineering Bamboo Engineering Bamboo Engineering is a British auto racing team that competes in the World Touring Car Championship.-History:The team was formed in July 2009 following the departure of team director Richard Coleman from Tempus Sport... |
Chevrolet Lacetti | BRA 1 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil The 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil was a World Touring Car Championship round held at the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba near Curitiba, Brazil on 20 March 2011. It was the opening round of the 2011 World Touring Car Championship season and the sixth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Brazil... 18 |
BRA 2 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil The 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil was a World Touring Car Championship round held at the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba near Curitiba, Brazil on 20 March 2011. It was the opening round of the 2011 World Touring Car Championship season and the sixth running of the FIA WTCC Race of Brazil... 15 |
20th | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T Chevrolet Cruze The Chevrolet Cruze is a General Motors automobile, spanning two unrelated models. The original iteration, a subcompact crossover SUV, was manufactured by Suzuki in Japan between 2001 and 2008 under joint venture with GM... |
BEL 1 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium The 2011 FIA WTCC Monroe Race of Belgium was a World Touring Car Championship round held at Circuit Zolder on 24 April 2011. It was the third running of the Race of Belgium, which ran at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 2005 before leaving the calendar for four seasons until returning in the 2010... 14 |
BEL 2 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium The 2011 FIA WTCC Monroe Race of Belgium was a World Touring Car Championship round held at Circuit Zolder on 24 April 2011. It was the third running of the Race of Belgium, which ran at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 2005 before leaving the calendar for four seasons until returning in the 2010... DSQ |
ITA 1 13 |
ITA 2 11 |
HUN 1 11 |
HUN 2 11 |
CZE 1 15 |
CZE 2 14 |
POR 1 15 |
POR 2 15 |
GBR 1 16 |
GBR 2 13 |
GER 1 17 |
GER 2 14 |
ESP 1 14 |
ESP 2 16 |
JPN 1 7 |
JPN 2 14 |
CHN 1 20 |
CHN 2 DNS |
MAC 1 WD |
MAC 2 WD |