Kenji Yamaguchi
Representative Director, President and CEO
2019 – Present
7 years (current)
Key Decisions & Impact
Taking over as President and CEO in 2019, Kenji Yamaguchi was tasked with guiding FANUC through a complex, rapidly evolving global manufacturing landscape defined by severe supply chain disruptions and an urgent, worldwide need for increased automation. Drawing on his deep background in robotics development, he emphasized the critical importance of integrating artificial intelligence and IoT capabilities into the company's legacy hardware. He championed the development of advanced collaborative robots ('cobots') designed to work safely alongside human operators without requiring heavy safety fencing, opening up entirely new markets for automation in smaller manufacturing facilities. He also prioritized enhancing employee welfare and strengthening internal human resources, a slight shift in corporate culture.
Legacy
Yamaguchi has modernized FANUC's product offerings without abandoning the company's core principles of 'Strict Preciseness' and 'Transparency.' Under his leadership, the company has effectively navigated the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent semiconductor shortages, leveraging its integrated, domestic manufacturing base to maintain steady production. His strategic focus on 'smart' manufacturing solutions ensures that FANUC remains at the forefront of the ongoing Industry 4.0 revolution, maintaining its dominant global market share in both CNC systems and industrial robotics.