Japanese beer company Sapporo Holdings has announced that Hiroshi Tokimatsu, currently the executive group managing officer, will be promoted to president.
The leadership change comes as the company has “been working to reinforce profitability in core businesses while reorganising the business portfolio”.
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Tokimatsu will assume the role of president of both Sapporo and Sapporo Breweries following shareholder and board meetings in March 2025. He will step down as president of Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage.
Masaki Oga, the current president, will transition to the role of special advisor.
Tokimatsu brings experience from various sectors, including alcoholic beverages, real estate, food, and soft drinks.
He has played a “central role” in transformation initiatives and is receptive to the growing overseas business, the company said.
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By GlobalDataSapporo anticipates that Tokimatsu will “drive further growth” overseas.
Tokimatsu said the company “will further concentrate management resources, harness the collective strength of the group”, to transform into a “corporate entity that realises an increase in corporate value.”
In conjunction with Tokimatsu’s promotion, Sapporo announced changes to its group managing officers.
Masashi Sato will become president of Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage.
Hiroyuki Nose will step down as executive group managing officer and president of Sapporo Breweries, taking on the role of chairman of Sapporo Breweries.
In August, the company said it planned to solicit investment proposals for its real estate business from external partners.
The announcement was part of an update on the review of its medium to long term management policies, initially announced in February.
As part of the review, the company aimed to “significantly revise its portfolio of businesses”, with a focus on core alcoholic beverages business and the real estate business.
Sapporo said it aimed to rationalise its value chain by “optimising manufacturing and logistics”, aiming for a 25% share of the domestic beer market.
Additionally, it will develop new alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic options, under the theme of “wellbeing”.
Investment in the international business will be increased to ensure it remains a core element of Sapporo’s portfolio.
The focus will be on Sapporo Premium Beer, emphasising its “high quality,” “sophisticated taste,” and “uniqueness reminiscent of Japan.”
