BIZ BUZZ: Sayonara, Okamoto-san

After steering Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. through the Taal eruption in Jan. 2020 and the devastating COVID-19 pandemic before putting the market-leading company on the path to a strong recovery, TMPC president Atsuhiro Okamoto is soon ending his “most unforgettable” tour of duty in the Philippines.But Okamoto is not going to cut all ties with the Philippines as he is poised to take on a regional sales role when he goes back to Japan early next year. Formal turnover is expected in February 2024.

Besides, the avid golfer who was able to bring down his handicap from about 26/27 to 22 over his four eventful years in the Philippines still has four courses to visit before he completes the list of 25 best golf courses in the Philippines chosen by Inquirer Golf.

Set to succeed him as leader of the country’s largest automotive company is Masando Hashimoto, currently the Senior Vice President for Marketing of TMPC, a member of the Ty group of companies that boasts of a commanding share in the automotive market pegged at 47.4 percent as of November.

With a smooth turnover, Toyota in the Philippines is looking forward to keeping a stranglehold on that formidable market share in the coming years under its next leader.