Kentaro Hyakuno

Kentaro Hyakuno is a Group Executive Vice President of Rakuten, Inc., one of the world's leading internet services companies, and in 2016, assumed his current position as COO. Hyakuno is also a Senior Director of the Group Company Division, which spans across corporate planning, human resources and corporate communications, and reporting directly to Rakuten Chairman and CEO, Mickey Mikitani. Hyakuno's previous responsibilities included leadership of the company's Group Strategy and Global Business, focusing on e-commerce and digital content. Under his leadership, Rakuten expanded globally and established regional headquarters in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Before joining Rakuten in 2007, Hyakuno's substantial 17-year career at Toyota Motor Corporation included responsibility for global expansion, overseas operations and projects for operational consultation to third parties. During his tenure with Toyota, Hyakuno worked in over 10 countries and regions, including Japan, the U.S. and Europe.