Japan: Asahi to name beer unit’s head as president of Asahi Group Holdings

Asahi Group Holdings has decided to promote the head of its beer subsidiary to president of the parent, The Nikkei reported on February 6.

Asahi Breweries President Akiyoshi Koji, 64, will replace the holding company's current president, Naoki Izumiya, who will transition to chairman. The beer unit will promote Vice President Shinichi Hirano to president. But first, the parent will hold its general shareholders meeting this March.

Asahi Group has steadily gained share in its mainstay beer business since Izumiya assumed the presidency in 2010. The company is the top player in Japan's beer market.

He has also been credited with expanding group operations by successfully concluding acquisitions of overseas businesses as well as Calpis, a major Japanese soft-drink company. He put the corporate group on a firm growth trajectory by carrying out structural reforms.

10 February, 2016