Toyota CEO change: Koji Sato moves to Vice Chairman, Kenta Kon named President

On February 6, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a major Toyota CEO change as part of its leadership succession plan aimed at strengthening global competitiveness and management efficiency. The move reflects the automaker’s intent to align executive responsibilities with growing international and industry-level demands while maintaining operational stability.

Toyota CEO change and new executive roles

Under the announced changes, President Koji Sato, aged 56, will become Vice Chairman effective April 1. Kenta Kon, currently Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, aged 57, will succeed Sato as President and Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant shift in Toyota’s top management structure.

Expanded responsibilities for Koji Sato

Sato will take on the newly created role of Chief Industry Officer while stepping back from day-to-day executive management. He is also scheduled to retire as Director at the Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting planned for June 2026, further underscoring the long-term nature of this transition.

Strategic rationale behind the leadership transition

According to Toyota, the Toyota CEO change is driven by the need to reinforce international competitiveness. Sato’s expanded external responsibilities include assuming the position of Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association from January 1, 2026, and serving as Vice Chair of the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations since May 2025.
Toyota explained that strengthening the company’s earning power and lowering its break-even volume are immediate priorities. In appointing Kenta Kon as President and CEO, the company highlighted that, “Improving the Company's earning power and lowering the break-even volume are immediate priorities. As Toyota's CFO, Kon has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the earnings structure and has also gained management experience at Woven by Toyota, Inc.”