Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) said its Board of Directors has approved a series of executive and board changes, led by a new appointment to the company’s top job.

Takehiko Tsutsui, currently executive vice president of JT International, has been chosen to become president and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Masamichi Terabatake. Terabatake will move into the role of deputy chairperson of the Board. The leadership change is slated to take effect January 1, 2026, pending ratification at the shareholders’ meeting and final approval by the Board. Tsutsui joined JT in 1997 and has served as a vice president since 2012.

The Board will also see Shigeaki Okamoto named chairperson, and Yukiko Uchida appointed as a director. At the same time, Yukiko Nagashima and current chair Mutsuo Iwai have announced their resignations. These Board changes will become effective at the conclusion of the shareholders’ meeting scheduled for March 25, 2026.

Other executive moves announced include Adam Vilalta’s appointment as senior vice president of marketing for the Tobacco Business in Japan, following the resignation of Igor Dzaja, and the promotion of Hisashi Shimobayashi to senior vice president, Chief Technology & Information Security Officer.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.