India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Mr. Hajime Aota as the new Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective January 1, 2026.
Mr. Aota brings with him extensive global leadership experience in corporate strategy, corporate planning, and new venture business development within the automotive industry. Over the course of his career, he has held several senior leadership roles across key international markets, including Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Prior to assuming his new role in India, Mr. Aota served as Executive Officer, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., and Chief General Manager – Corporate Strategy Center (Chief Strategy Officer) at Yamaha Motor’s global headquarters in Japan. In this role, he led the company’s corporate strategy, sustainability initiatives, and digital strategy, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation and long-term growth.
His appointment is expected to further strengthen Yamaha Motor India Group’s strategic direction as the company continues to focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital-led mobility solutions in the Indian market.
He has also served as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV), Yamaha Motor’s strategic venture capital arm, overseeing early-stage investments in areas such as robotics, transportation, fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data-driven technologies. In addition, Mr. Aota has played a pivotal role in leading new business development and corporate planning functions, contributing significantly to the long-term growth strategy of the global Yamaha Motor Group. He was also instrumental in shaping Yamaha Motor’s 2030 long-term vision, “Art for Human Possibilities,” and continues to champion its successful execution.
Mr. 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, Mr. Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, 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 growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”
