November 20, 2020 I Appointments
Kawai Names Takanori Aoki President for North America
Takanori Aoki
Kawai America Corporation and Kawai Canada Music, the North American subsidiaries of global piano manufacturer Kawai Musical Instruments, announced the appointment of Takanori Aoki as president effective November 1, 2020. He is succeeding past president Seijiro Imamura.
In his new position, Aoki will oversee and manage all aspects of Kawai America and Kawai Canada business and work closely with the entire team to ensure long-term growth by improving and expanding sales distribution areas and increasing Kawai’s brand position.
Originally from Nagoya, Japan, Aoki has been employed by Kawai Musical Instruments for 30 years, having joined the company in 1990. “My reason for joining Kawai Musical Instruments was because of my love for music and my interest in Kawai’s instruments,” he said.
Previously, Aoki held the position of deputy general manager of export sales in Kawai’s Overseas Business Division supervising all export sales globally. Prior to that, he was manager of export sales for North, Central and South Americas, including the Caribbean.
This appointment will not be Aoki’s first time working in North America. From February 1994 through June 1997, Mr. Aoki held the position of purchasing and assistant sales manager for Kawai America and Kawai Canada Music. “Those years in North America were instrumental in teaching me about the company and piano business,” he said. “I am honored and excited to be back.”
