Changing of the Guard

Madoka Tashiro (right), who had led the company as chairman and CEO since 2001, retired from those posts in June 2009. Succeeding him as chairman and CEO is Takashi Tsuchiya (left), who had served as president since 2001. The new president is Kenichi Udagawa, who moves up from the post of managing director. Tashiro retains a seat on the board of directors as executive adviser to help ensure a smooth transition. All of these changes took effect on receiving approval at the general meeting of shareholders on June 26, 2009.