Masahiro Sakane, a former president of Komatsu who helped spur the construction machinery maker’s turnaround in the 2000s, died of an illness on Aug. 10, it was learned Tuesday. He was 85.
A native of Shimane Prefecture, Sakane served as Komatsu president from 2001 to 2007. During his tenure, he promoted structural reforms, including focusing on key operations.
He also actively adopted information technology, including a system to remotely manage information on the operation of construction machines.
In 2010, when he was Komatsu chairman, Sakane assumed the post of vice chairman at the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, the country’s biggest business lobby.
He also served as chairman of the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers.
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