Kubota chairman dies

Kubota chairman, president & CEO Yasuo Masumoto died suddenly on June 4 at the age of 67. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Kubota executive vice president Masatoshi Kimata has assumed the role of president & CEO.

Mr Masumoto joined Kubota in April 1971. His first senior appointment was as general manager of the company’s construction machinery manufacturing operations in 1997. He was first named a director of the company in 2002 and held a string of executive positions before being named president & CEO in January 2009. He took on the chairman role in January 2011.