India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Hajime Aota as the new Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective 1 January 2026. The appointment comes alongside a wide-ranging set of organisational reforms approved at the global level by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., aimed at strengthening strategy, digital transformation, manufacturing efficiency, and new business development.
Aota brings experience spanning corporate strategy, planning, and new venture development across multiple international markets. Prior to his India role, he served as Executive Officer and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Center at Yamaha Motor’s global headquarters in Japan, where he oversaw corporate strategy, sustainability initiatives, and digital strategy.
In addition to his corporate strategy responsibilities, Aota has served as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, the group’s strategic venture capital arm. In that role, he oversaw early-stage investments in areas including robotics, transportation, fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data-driven technologies. He was also involved in shaping Yamaha Motor’s long-term 2030 vision, titled “Art for Human Possibilities.”
“I am very excited to begin my journey in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse two-wheeler markets. The rapidly evolving aspirations of Indian consumers, especially the youth, align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Leading Yamaha in India is a significant responsibility, and my focus is on strengthening the brand by delivering products that seamlessly combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the evolving needs of Indian riders. I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market,” said Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies.
Aota holds a Program for Leadership Development from Harvard Business School and a degree in Political Science from Keio University, Japan. India Yamaha Motor operates as the Indian subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., overseeing manufacturing, sales, and marketing of Yamaha two-wheelers in the Indian market.
The leadership change in India coincides with a comprehensive organisational restructuring approved by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. at its Board of Directors meeting held on 23 December 2025. The reforms, effective 1 January 2026, include the creation of a new Brand Section directly under the President, the reorganisation of the Corporate Strategy Center with a renewed focus on digital transformation, and the establishment of a Technology, Research & Design Center integrating design and technical functions.
The manufacturing and technology functions are also being restructured. The Manufacturing Center will see a reorganisation of aluminium casting equipment management, while the Manufacturing Technology Center will rename its Machinery R&D Division as the Monozukuri DX Technology Division to strengthen digital manufacturing capabilities. Procurement, mobility development, marine business operations, and robotics-related solution businesses are also being reorganised to improve governance, decision-making speed, and global coordination.
Yamaha is aggressively targeting the “premium” segment (especially in markets like India and ASEAN). Moving “Corporate Communications” into a centralized Brand Section under the President signals that “Brand” is no longer just marketing—it is now a core management asset to drive higher margins.
In the past, engine development, chassis design, and electronic systems were often siloed. To build competitive Electric Vehicles (EVs), you need deep integration of software, battery, and chassis. The new Mobility Development Center solves this by merging these disparate units into one cohesive “Mobility” engine.
This reorganization likely positions Yamaha to better compete with Honda (which has aggressively integrated its electrification efforts) and new electric-first startups. It also prepares the ground for incoming leadership, such as Hajime Aota taking over Yamaha Motor India in 2026, by providing a global structure that supports agile, digital-first operations in key growth markets.