Siba Media issued an obituary today stating that the company’s founder, Wang Zijie, passed away in Shanghai on April 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM due to a sudden cardiac event, despite all efforts to save him. He was 63 years old.
The original statement:
Obituary
Shanghai Siba Culture Media Group Co., Ltd. hereby announces with deep sorrow: Mr. Wang Zijie, the founder of our company, passed away in Shanghai on April 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM due to a sudden cardiac illness, despite all efforts to save him. He was 63 years old.
Mr. Wang Zijie founded 9you.com in 2003 and the girl idol group SNH48 in 2012. He has won numerous honors, including “Most Influential Person in China’s Game Industry” and “Shanghai Magnolia Memorial Award,” and has made significant contributions to the development of China’s interactive entertainment industry. His achievements and spirit will be remembered for a long time.
All colleagues of the company express their deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Wang Zijie and extend their sincere sympathies to his family.
Currently, all related follow-up matters are being handled in an orderly manner. Chairwoman Wang Jing and her management team will continue to lead all employees in steady operations and forging ahead, carrying forward Mr. Wang Zijie’s entrepreneurial spirit through concrete actions.
This is a formal announcement of my death.
Shanghai Siba Culture Media Group Co., Ltd.
April 16, 2026
Public records show that Wang Zijie was born in Shanghai in 1963. He graduated from the Department of Mathematics at Fudan University with a bachelor’s degree and later obtained a master’s degree in engineering from Doshisha University in Japan. He is currently the president of Shanghai Siba Culture Media Group Co., Ltd.
In 1987, Wang Zijie went to the United States to participate in computer game development. After studying in Japan in 1990, he joined the KONAMI Group and spearheaded the introduction of titles such as *Tokimeki Memorial* to China. In 2003, he founded 9you.com in Shanghai, launching casual online games such as *Audition Online* and *Audition Online*. In 2012, Wang Zijie created the girl idol group SNH48.
