India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. has appointed Hajime Aota as Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective January 1, 2026. The announcement was made on Monday as part of a leadership transition at the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer's Indian operations.
Aota previously served as Executive Officer at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Center at the company's global headquarters in Japan. In that role, he led corporate strategy, sustainability initiatives, and digital strategy.
He also chaired Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, the company's venture capital arm, where he oversaw investments in robotics, transportation, fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data-driven technologies. Aota contributed to Yamaha Motor's 2030 long-term vision, "Art for Human Possibilities," and led new business development and corporate planning functions.
Aota holds a Program for Leadership Development from Harvard Business School and a degree in Political Science from Keio University, Japan.
Commenting on his appointment, 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."
Yamaha Motor entered India in 1985 as a joint venture and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. in 2001. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. joined as a joint investor in India Yamaha Motor Private Limited in 2008. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Surajpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, producing motorcycles and parts for domestic and overseas markets.