Tomy Co.'s new CEO said the company plans to introduce innovation that changes the way people play with toys and will improve the branding of its iconic products, such as its Licca-chan dolls, as part of a global expansion strategy.

One thing "I really want to do is to make toys more than just toys," said H.G. Meij, 51, in an interview with The Japan Times last week. "I want toys to become part of your life."

The shareholders of the Tokyo-based toymaker chose Meij, a native of the Netherlands, as its first foreign CEO in June at the company's annual meeting.