Press Release

Koji Yamamoto to Join J.D. Power as President for Japan

Kaoru Suzuki to Lead J.D. Power AsiaPacific Service Industries Division

COSTA MESA, Calif.: 27 April 2018— Koji Yamamoto, a seasoned automotive and technology executive, has been appointed President and Representative Director of J.D. Power Japan, effective May 8.  In this role, Yamamoto will oversee the company’s business operation and growth strategies in Japan, with a focus on serving the needs of Japanese automobile manufacturers in understanding and responding to the Voice of the Customer globally amidst the disruptors that face the industry today, including the growing focus on autonomous vehicles and new energy vehicles.

 

Yamamoto is ideally suited to this position given his experiences with Nissan for over 25 years, where most recently he was the global head of Nissan’s vehicle industrial strategy. Previously, he led a number of strategic initiatives on connected vehicles, autonomous driving and electric cars, including the Nissan Leaf global launch.   Yamamoto said, “I am humbled to step into such an important role. It will be an honor to lead J.D. Power Japan as we help Japanese automakers achieve new levels of Customer Satisfaction and Quality, especially as the global automotive industry undergoes unprecedent changes toward autonomous vehicles, electrified powertrains and shared mobility.”


Yamamoto succeeds Kaoru Suzuki, who will continue as Representative Director of J.D. Power Japan, now taking on the new responsibility as Leader of J.D. Power’s Service Industries division throughout Asia Pacific.  Suzuki will oversee the company’s business in Japan, China, Singapore, India, Australia and other ASEAN countries, with a special focus on providing the Voice of the Customer in the Financial Services sector.  Suzuki is a 25-year veteran of J.D. Power and has been directly involved in the growth of services in Japan since the office opened and said, “I look forward to continued growth in our services and capabilities to serve Service Industries throughout Asia Pacific.  Providing integrated services throughout the region in the Financial Services industry will be a critical part of our future in the region.”

 

“We’ve been operating in Japan for decades and we are building a strong team there to better serve our clients and grow our business in Japan and across the region,” said Jacob George, Vice President and General Manager, J.D. Power Asia Pacific. “Japan and indeed the whole of Asia Pacific is a strategic market for J.D. Power given the high attention that our clients place on the region. I’m confident that with the appointment of the right and new leadership roles, we will further grow our business and expand our coverage in these key markets, especially helping our clients cope with disruptions in an increasingly dynamic and connected market.”