According to a Nintendo statement, Iwata died on July 11 due to a bile duct growth.
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"Nintendo deeply regrets to announce that President Satoru Iwata passed away on July 11, 2015 due to a bile duct growth," reads the statement.
Iwata had surgery to remove a bile duct growth last year. He missed E3 2014 and the company's annual shareholder meeting as a result.
He returned to work last October, but was absent from this year's E3, although he was said to be in 'constant contact' with fellow employees.
In remembrance of Mr. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo will not be posting on our social media channels today. pic.twitter.com/N2kR0OKEXh
ā Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 13, 2015
Nintendo's flag is of course at half-mast today pic.twitter.com/QpIJPK7bwB
ā Dylan Cuthbert (@dylancuthbert) July 13, 2015
Iwata was appointed Nintendo president in 2002, and would oversee the launch of the hugely successful Wii and DS platforms.
Nintendo will not be posting on its social media channels today (July 13), while the company flag is flying at half-mast.