NEC Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Ichiro Kurihara as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 2026, marking a significant step in the company’s strategic expansion and long-term growth plans in India. The leadership transition underscores NEC’s commitment to strengthening its presence in one of its most important global markets while deepening collaboration between India and Japan in advanced technology domains.
In his new role, Kurihara will be responsible for overall strategic leadership at NEC India, including corporate governance, business operations, and engagement with government bodies and enterprise customers. He will drive business strategy aligned with NEC Group’s five-year global roadmap, with a strong focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and long-term value creation.
“India is at an inflection point with strong digital ambitions, and I look forward to strengthening NEC’s contributions to the country’s growth by aligning global expertise with local needs.”
— Ichiro Kurihara, President and CEO, NEC Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.
Kurihara brings nearly three decades of experience at NEC Corporation, having led operations and growth initiatives across key Asian markets including the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand. His extensive regional exposure has equipped him with a strong understanding of emerging economies, large-scale infrastructure programs, and the importance of adapting global technology capabilities to local market needs.
NEC India has built a strong reputation over the past seven decades by delivering large, technology-led programs in partnership with governments and private enterprises. Its portfolio spans public safety systems, AI-driven biometrics, smart city solutions, enterprise IT services, and a newly established financial services unit. Under Kurihara’s leadership, the company aims to further strengthen its position as a trusted technology partner supporting national digital and infrastructure priorities.
Commenting on the appointment, Kurihara said India presents both complexity and opportunity as it accelerates its digital transformation agenda. He highlighted plans to work closely with customers, partners, and internal teams to expand NEC’s role in enabling innovation while contributing to India’s broader economic and social progress.
A key focus area for the new CEO will be enhancing organisational capabilities within NEC India. This includes fostering a high-performance culture, nurturing leadership talent, and investing in workforce development to support future-ready skills. These initiatives align with NEC’s broader vision of creating social value through technology.
As India continues to invest heavily in digital infrastructure, public safety, transportation, and smart urban development, Kurihara’s appointment signals NEC’s intent to scale innovation, strengthen local execution, and leverage India as both a strategic market and a global innovation hub within the NEC Group.