Kuniharu Nakamura: Sumitomo CEO

Kuniharu Nakamura earned a BA in Economics from Osaka University in March 1974.  In April he joined Sumitomo Corporation. Like many Japanese corporate executives he has stayed with the company throughout his career and this loyalty has paid off ultimately landing his the top executive post.

Nakamura became the General Manager of Motor Vehicle Department No. 1 in 1998 and became the general manager of other motor vehicle departments the following years. He also held roles in planning and administration. In April 2005 Nakamura became Executive Officer, General Manager for the Corporate Planning and Coordination Department.  In April 2007 he became the Managing Executive Officer of the same department.

More promotions came along the way. Nakamura became the Senior Managing Executive Officer, General Manager of the Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics Business Unit in April 2009. In June of the same year he became a Representative Director.

Nakamura was Representative Director, Executive Vice President, General Manager of the Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics Business Unit in April 2012. Finally on June of the same year he became the President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation.

Under his leadership the company has expanded and diversified through strategic partnerships, acquisitions and development of new customer focused services.  In August 2012 Nakamura stated that one of its subsidiaries, Summit Petroleum Ltd., had completed an agreement with Nippon Exploration to exchange interests in two different fields, thereby strengthening the company’s business in the UK North Sea. 

He also announced in November 2012, a joint venture with National Atomic Company had completed the construction of its first factory and would soon be ready to separate rare earth elements from uranium-ore residue. In January 2013 Nakamura announced that the company had created a joint venture with PT Sumitomo Indonesia to create an e-commerce website catering to the Indonesian market.  The site, Sukamart, would provide more than 1,000 items delivered directly to customers within two days. In February 2013 he also reported that the company had begun an expansion of its Philippine Industrial Park.

Given the present environment Nakamura strongly believes in addressing the issue and taking the initiative.