SAP Japan’s President and Representative Director Hirofumi Suzuki is retiring on March 31. 2026. A successor is currently being selected and will be announced once the decision is finalized, SAP indicated while announcing this significant change in its executive leadership.According to SAP, Suzuki joined SAP Japan in January 2015 and became president in April 2020. Over nearly six years at the helm, he guided the company through one of the most turbulent periods in recent business history, the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the safety and well-being of employees and their families while also ensuring continuity for SAP’s customers and its business. Under Suzuki’s leadership, SAP Japan doubled down on cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) as core strategic drivers, reinforcing collaboration with partners and strengthening long-term trust with customers. He also championed broader initiatives beyond technology, including sustainability efforts, digital skills development, and organizational culture improvements, all aimed at both internal growth and helping Japanese enterprises accelerate their digital transformations. The company highlighted that its cloud business has made steady progress during Suzuki’s tenure, with shifting customer demand supporting ongoing growth. SAP Japan says it plans to build on that foundation and continue working with customers and partners to enhance productivity and competitiveness across Japan. What This Means for Mastering SAP and SAP InsidersLeadership continuity with strategic consistency. Although the president is stepping down, SAP Japan emphasizes continuity in strategyespecially around cloud and AI. Internal teams and ecosystem partners can expect a continued focus on digital transformation priorities rather than sudden strategic shifts tied purely to executive change. Reinforced emphasis on cloud and AI capabilities. Suzuki’s leadership years aligned with broader SAP trends, particularly the push toward cloud-first solutions and AI-enabled business processes. This focus is likely to persist under the next leadership, reinforcing existing product roadmaps and partner investments. Opportunity for renewed market momentum in Japan. Leadership transitions often bring fresh energy and relationships. The selection of a new president will be watched closely by customers and partners, not just for who fills the role, but for how they plan to engage with Japanese enterprise priorities like AI adoption, cloud migrations, and SAP-led transformation services.
⇨ Hirofumi Suzuki will retire as President of SAP Japan on March 31, 2026, after leading the company through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
⇨ Under Suzuki's leadership, SAP Japan focused on cloud and AI as core strategic areas, ensuring customer continuity and promoting broader initiatives like sustainability and digital skills development.
⇨ The upcoming leadership transition is expected to maintain strategic consistency while potentially invigorating market dynamics in Japan, particularly regarding AI adoption and cloud migration.
Hirofumi Suzuki, president of SAP Japan since 2020, is set to retire on March 31, 2026, after leading the company through the pandemic and focusing on cloud and AI development, while a successor is being selected to ensure continuity in strategic initiatives.
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