WTF? Konami Claims No Knowledge of Kojima's Departure

The New Yorker published a piece on the reasons for Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, and now the game company is denying he's even gone. According to Konami, Kojima is just taking a long vacation now that Metal Gear Solid V is done. On a technicality, they could be correct; supposedly, Kojima's contract with Konami goes through December, so he could still be an employee there if his contract isn't broken.

Konami also claims no knowledge of the photo above, which is supposedly his going away party that took place on October 9th.