Japan Tobacco announces major executive leadership changes for early 2026

Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has announced a significant restructuring of its executive leadership, with Takehiko Tsutsui appointed as president, chief executive officer, and representative director, effective January 1, 2026. Tsutsui, currently executive vice president at JT International S.A., will assume the presidential role from Masamichi Terabatake, who will transition to deputy chairperson of the board. These changes aim to drive sustainable profit growth and enhance the JT Group’s corporate value.

The appointments are subject to ratification at the 41st annual general meeting of shareholders on March 25, 2026, and subsequent approval by the board of directors. Tsutsui currently holds 41,500 JT shares. Concurrently, Yukiko Uchida, director (professor) of Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society, is proposed as a new member of the board, an outside director appointment.

Further executive changes include Hisashi Shimobayashi becoming senior vice president, chief technology & information security officer, and Adam Vilalta as senior vice president, marketing, tobacco business, Japan. Koji Shimayoshi’s responsibilities will expand to include corporate governance, compliance, corporate strategy, and sustainability. Additionally, in connection with the transfer of the pharmaceutical business to Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Takayuki Yamaguchi and Makoto Kakutani will resign as executive officers as of November 30, 2025.