LINE Fukuoka Corporation (“LINE Fukuoka”; Location: Hakata Ward, Fukuoka; Representative Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer: Noritaka Ochiai) is pleased to announce that Mr. Yusuke Suzuki will assume the role of Representative Director, President, and CEO as of October 1, 2021. Additionally, current Representative Director, President, and CEO Mr. Noritaka Ochiai will take on the role of Board Chairperson.
■ Background of Leadership Change
LINE Corporation concluded a business integration with Z Holdings (ZHD below) on March 1, 2021. ZHD works to create new value by striving to solve various social issues, and contribute to the realization of a better and more convenient lifestyle by solving the issues of every resident living in the countries and regions where it is active.
As LINE’s second domestic base and a member of the ZHD Group, LINE Fukuoka continues to pursue the same vision. At the same time, as a company rooted in the Fukuoka and Kyushu region, the company will contribute to the development of the region.
To establish a stronger structure for accomplishing these goals and promote timely decision making, Mr. Suzuki (who has led LINE Fukuoka as its Director and Chief Operating Officer) will take over as Representative Director, President, and CEO.
■ A Message from New Representative Director, President, and CEO, Yusuke Suzuki
I am honored to assume the role of Representative Director, President, and CEO. This is a momentous new role for me, and I will do my utmost for the company and to encourage regional development.
LINE Fukuoka was established in 2013 with the desire to cultivate LINE services together with Fukuoka’s residents and contribute to the city. As LINE and its related services have grown, the roles that LINE Fukuoka plays have changed. The company has evolved into a location that can do everything from service ideation to post-release operation, including development, design, planning, marketing, and corporate activities. Moving forward, LINE Fukuoka will continue to bring WOW to users and contribute to solving social issues.
I also want to devote more of our efforts into collaborating not only within LINE Fukuoka but also with other companies in Fukuoka and Kyushu to create quality work and cultivate talent that is the pride of both Japan and Asia.
I look forward to your continued partnership and support.
| ■ Overview of Mr. Yusuke Suzuki’s Career Yusuke Suzuki LINE Fukuoka Corporation Representative Director, President, and CEO Mr. Suzuki was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1976. He graduated from Kyushu University’s School of Economics. | |||||
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| 1999 – Joined NEC Corporation 2003 – Joined RECRUIT MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS CO., LTD. July 2014 – Joined LINE Corporation October 2014 – Joined LINE Fukuoka Corporation April 2017 – Appointed Director of LINE Fukuoka Corporation February 2019 – Appointed Director and COO of LINE Fukuoka Corporation October 2021 – Appointed Representative Director, President, and CEO of LINE Fukuoka Corporation |
■ About LINE Fukuoka Corporation
[Overview]
Company name: LINE Fukuoka Corporation
Location: JRJP Hakata Bldg. 12F, 8-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture
Representative: Noritaka Ochiai, Representative Director, President, and CEO
Capital: JPY 490 million (As of January 2018)
Established: November 18, 2013
Employees: 1,266 (as of September 2021)
Business activities: All development, creation, operational, planning, and sales activities for LINE and related services.
Corporate site: https://linefukuoka.co.jp/en/
[Employee attributes]
• Ratio of U/I-turner employees: 54%* (Among them, 24% are I-turners who relocated to Fukuoka from another area of Japan or abroad)
* As of February 2021
• Ratio of employees from overseas: 10% (as of January 2021)
LINE Fukuoka recruits across Japan and the globe without limiting itself to Kyushu alone. The company has an environment rich in diversity with employees from 24 countries worldwide, including throughout Asia (e.g. Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand), the US, Peru, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Australia.