Far and wide: Yoshiaki Kato has built up a broad range of experience with Mitsubishi across the Asia-Pacific region, serving in key roles in markets such as the Philippines, Thailand and, not least of all, Australia.

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) chief executive co-ordinator Yoshiaki Kato has returned to Japan to take on a new position under senior management changes announced by the Tokyo-based car-maker.

From August 1, Mr Kato, who was in his latest Australian role for two years, is now general manager in charge of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s strategic management office.

MMAL has advised that Mr Kato will not be replaced at the Adelaide-based Australian subsidiary, where John Signoriello continues as president and chief executive officer.

Previously president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation, Mr Kato returned to MMAL on July 1, 2017, at the same time Mr Signoriello took the reins from Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, who in turn took on Mr Kato’s responsibilities in the Philippines.

The position of chief executive co-ordinator was newly created for Mr Kato. His responsibilities will now be absorbed back in among MMAL’s senior management team.

Mr Kato has strong ties to Australia, undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of South Australia’s Graduate School of Business back in the early 1990s and, after moving through the ranks at Mitsubishi in Japan during the late 1980s and early 1990s, was assigned to MMAL from 1996 to 2000.

He also served with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Australia from 2003 to 2005 and had a further stint with MMAL from 2006 to 2011.

Other markets for which Mr Kato has worked include Europe, where he was general manager of the European department within MMC, and Thailand, where he was executive vice-president for the corporate global unit, which saw him responsible for corporate strategy, administration and export business.

During his two-year tenure in the Philippines, Mr Kato is credited with maintaining the company’s record sales growth in the market, reinvigorating its local manufacturing operations and setting new records for production output with the Mirage G4 launched in February 2017.

By Terry Martin