NEC Group appoints Ichiro Kurihara to Lead India, Yoshifuji Hiroki Thailand Operations

NEC Corporation has announced a series of key leadership appointments across its India and Thailand operations, reinforcing its focus on accelerating digital transformation and sustainable growth across Asia.

The company has appointed Ichiro Kurihara as President and Chief Executive Officer of NEC India, effective April 2026. A seasoned NEC leader with nearly three decades of experience across Asia, Kurihara brings a strong track record of driving business growth and expanding market presence across diverse regions.

In his new role, Kurihara will steer NEC India’s strategic direction, deepen partnerships across government and enterprise sectors, and scale innovation-led initiatives aligned with the company’s global vision. His appointment underscores NEC India’s commitment to strengthening leadership capabilities while positioning itself as a key technology partner in India’s growth journey.

Prior to this role, Kurihara served as President of NEC Thailand, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening operations and building a resilient, agile organisation.

Simultaneously, NEC Thailand has announced the appointment of Yoshifuji Hiroki as its new President, also effective April 2026. The leadership transition reflects NEC’s continued emphasis on advancing innovation and long-term sustainable growth in the Thai market.

Yoshifuji brings over two decades of global experience within NEC, having joined the company in 2002. His career spans multiple international markets, particularly across the Middle East and Africa, where he led strategic business development initiatives and contributed to expanding NEC’s footprint in emerging economies.

Between 2013 and 2015, Yoshifuji led business development efforts across West Africa with NEC West Africa. He later served as Director of the Global Relations Division for NEC’s Africa Group from 2016 to 2023, where he strengthened government relations and strategic partnerships. Most recently, he was part of the Strategy Group under the Global Strategic and Planning Division, contributing to NEC’s long-term global growth roadmap.

Speaking on his appointment, Yoshifuji acknowledged the foundation laid by his predecessor. “It is a great honor to take on this role at such an important and transformative time. I am deeply grateful to the NEC Thailand team and to Mr. Ichiro Kurihara for the strong foundation they have built,” he said, highlighting the organisation’s evolution into a more agile, efficient, and resilient entity capable of navigating global disruptions such as the COVID-19 crisis.

In his new capacity, Yoshifuji will lead NEC Thailand’s overall business strategy and operations, working closely with local stakeholders to strengthen the company’s role in supporting Thailand’s digital transformation and socio-economic development.

“I look forward to working closely with our customers and partners to co-create innovative solutions that address societal challenges and deliver lasting value,” he added.

NEC continues to play a significant role in Thailand as a trusted technology partner, delivering advanced solutions across industries including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and finance.

These leadership changes mark a strategic step for NEC as it sharpens its regional focus, invests in leadership continuity, and accelerates its mission of driving innovation-led growth across key global markets.