In 2001 , he went from being managing director of the corporation 's merchant banking group to vice president ; .
In 2004 he moved up to president and CEO , when then president Mikio Sasaki replaced the out - going Minoru Makihara as chairman of the board .
In 2001 , he went from being managing director of the corporation 's merchant banking group to vice president ; and in 2004 he moved up to president and CEO , when then president Mikio Sasaki replaced the out - going Minoru Makihara as chairman of the board .