Shinichi Koide Joins Salesforce as Japan CEO, Targets $1 Billion

Leading CRM platform Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM) announced Tuesday it is expanding its Japan leadership team with the appointment of former HP Japan head Shinichi Koide as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of its Japan operations.

Koide will be responsible for growing salesforce.com Japan into a $1 billion business with more than 2,000 employees.

“Our dream is to build salesforce.com Japan into a billion dollar business with more than two thousand employees,” said Keith Block, president and vice chairman, salesforce.com. “With Shinichi Koide joining our exceptional Japan leadership team, salesforce.com Japan is well-positioned to deliver on its next decade of growth.”

Hitoshi Kawahara, senior VP and head of enterprise sales at salesforce.com Japan, will step up to a new role as president and chief operating officer.

In this role, Kawahara will lead the company’s enterprise sales and distribution teams and oversee business operations.

“Customer success will be my main focus at salesforce.com,” said Shinichi Koide.

Eiji Uda, who has led growth for salesforce.com Japan for the last 10 years as president and CEO, will continue to serve the company as executive advisor and play a key role with strategic alliances and global accounts in Japan.

Photo courtesy: Salesforce.com