INDIA YAMAHA MOTOR (IYM) has announced the appointment of Hajime Aota as the new chairman of the Yamaha Motor India Group, with effect from 1 January 2026.
Aota brings with him extensive experience in corporate strategy, corporate planning and new venture business development within the automotive sector. Over the course of his career, he has held several senior leadership roles across key global markets, including Japan, United States and United Kingdom. Prior to his India assignment, Aota served as executive officer at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and chief general manager of the Corporate Strategy Centre at the company’s global headquarters in Japan, where he led corporate strategy, sustainability initiatives and digital strategy, with a strong emphasis on driving digital transformation.
He has also served as chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV), the company’s strategic venture capital arm. In this role, he oversaw early-stage investments across emerging areas such as robotics, transportation, fintech, insurtech, digital health and data-driven technologies.
In addition, Aota has played a key role in leading new business development and corporate planning functions, making significant contributions to the long-term growth strategy of the global Yamaha Motor Group. He was instrumental in shaping Yamaha Motor’s 2030 long-term vision, titled “Art for Human Possibilities,” and continues to champion its execution across the organisation.
Aota holds a Program for Leadership Development (PLD) from Harvard Business School and is a graduate in Political Science from Keio University, Japan.
Commenting on his appointment, Aota said, “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 growt and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”
