Japan – Grey has appointed Kimihiro Takano as the new managing director of Grey Japan, effective 1 July 2025. Masahiko Okazaki, the previous CEO, will transition to a new role as executive vice president of business innovation at WPP in Japan.
Takano was most recently business director at Wieden+Kennedy Japan, overseeing the Japan and Korea markets. He previously held senior roles at PARTY, Dentsu, and the Tohokushinsha Film Corporation.
With over 15 years of industry experience, Takano’s background spans sectors including financial services, publishing, electronics, film and video production, entertainment, media, and content creation. He has led both local and international projects, notably the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he coordinated with key stakeholders such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Japanese government, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. His work has earned recognition at major international awards shows.
In his new role, Takano will work alongside the existing leadership team to support a smooth transition and deepen relationships with Grey’s local and global clients.
Takano shared, “Grey has built an impressive track record in Japan for over 60 years, establishing itself as a truly global agency. I am honored to join Grey Japan as part of this legacy. Guided by the principle of ‘Famously Effective,’ our strength lies in addressing essential business challenges, driving brand growth, and creating ‘Cultural Value’ that propels people and society forward. I aim to deliver new value that combines the cultures of Japan and the global landscape to pioneer the next era.”
He will report to Kyoko Matsushita, CEO of WPP in Japan, and collaborate closely with Sarah Trombetta, Grey’s APAC CEO. His mandate includes accelerating business growth and driving innovation, while continuing to deliver Grey’s “Famously Effective” work for clients.
Trombetta said,“Kimi-san is a dynamic, ambitious leader who is shaping the modern face of our industry in Japan. Through his diverse experience, Kimi-san recognises the need to blend creativity with innovation to solve business challenges. This, we believe, will be critical to continue to elevate our strategic partnership with clients and brands navigating radical digitisation.”
She continued, “Kimi-san embodies the values at the core of Grey’s culture and the WPP network, built on open minds, a spirit of collaboration and commitment to extraordinary creativity. We are excited for him to write the next chapter for Grey Japan.”
Matsushita added, “I am truly delighted to welcome a new leader to Grey, an agency which has achieved numerous accomplishments in the Japanese market within the WPP network. I also want to express my gratitude for Masa’s leadership thus far, and I look forward to his continued contribution to the growth of WPP’s business as a member of WPP’s Japan executive committee.”
Takano’s appointment follows a series of leadership changes across Grey’s global offices in 2025, including Elvis Li as president of Grey China, Agnes Fischer as CEO of Grey New York, Harsh Kapadia as chief creative officer of Grey India, and Helen Rhodes as chief creative officer of Grey London.
