Nakamura Named Hitachi America Pres.

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 3/18/2008

Chula Vista, Calif. — Kenji Nakamura, a 27-year Hitachi veteran, will become president of Hitachi Home Electronics America (HHEA), formerly known as Hitachi Ubiquitous Platform Systems Group, on April 1, as part of a company-wide restructuring.

Nakamura succeeds Kazuhiro Kaizaki, who will return to Japan to play a key leadership role in worldwide product development for the company's UltraThin display line, which is known in the United States as “UltraThin 1.5,” the company said.

Most recently, Nakamura served as executive VP and general manager of the Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division of Hitachi America, here. Over the past 27 years, he has served in a variety of product development, sales and managerial roles with Hitachi.

The appointment comes as part of a slate of executive changes in accordance with a resolution passed by a meeting of the parent company’s board of directors, Friday

In other changes, the company announced a series of new titles for some executive officers. Among them was Hitoshi Isa, who was named VP and executive officer, Power Systems Group executive VP. He was previously president, Babcock-Hitachi K.K. and executive VP of Power Systems Group, Hitachi.

Kunihiko Ohnuma, formerly representative officer and executive VP and executive officer of Industrial Infrastructure Business (Automotive Systems Business), Life Infrastructure Business, and procurement, becomes representative executive officer, executive VP and executive officer, in charge of Industrial Infrastructure Business (Automotive Systems Business), Life Infrastructure Business (Urban Planning and Development Business, Consumer Business) and Consumer Business Group procurement president and CEO.

Toshiaki Higashihara, formerly VP and executive officer, and chief operating officer of the Power Systems Group, was appointed Hitachi Power Europe GmbH president.

Makoto Ebata, currently VP and executive officer, and president and CEO of the Consumer Business Group, was appointed deputy chairman of Hitachi Europe.