Yamaha Motor India Names Hajime Aota as New Chairman

By siliconindia  |  Tuesday, 23 December 2025, 06:30:54 PM IST

Yamaha Motor India Names Hajime Aota as New Chairman
  • Hajime Aota takes charge as Chairman of Yamaha Motor India from January 1, 2026.
  • Brings global experience in strategy, digital transformation, and new business development.
  • Focuses on strengthening Yamaha’s brand, innovation, and customer-centric growth in India.

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has appointed Hajime Aota as the new Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective January 1, 2026. Mr. Aota brings extensive global experience in corporate strategy, planning, and new business development across key markets, including Japan, the US, and the UK.

Before his appointment in India, he served as Executive Officer and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Center at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., leading corporate strategy, digital transformation, and sustainability initiatives. He also chaired Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, driving early-stage investments in robotics, fintech, transportation, digital health, and data-driven technologies.

Mr. Aota has played a key role in shaping Yamaha Motor’s 2030 vision, 'Art for Human Possibilities', and continues to champion its execution globally. He holds a Program for Leadership Development from Harvard Business School and a Political Science degree from Keio University, Japan.

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Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Aota said, “I am excited to begin my journey in India, one of the most dynamic two-wheeler markets in the world. The evolving aspirations of Indian consumers align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. My aim is to strengthen the brand by delivering products that combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the needs of Indian riders. I look forward to collaborating with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth”.

With this leadership change, Yamaha aims to reinforce its presence in India, enhance innovation, and build deeper connections with the country’s growing two-wheeler market.

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