NTT DATA Group, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, announces that the Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Kazuhiko Nakayama as NTT DATA Group’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 12, 2026. Yutaka Sasaki, former President and CEO of NTT DATA Group, will assume the role of Senior Executive Vice President of NTT, Inc., effective June 18.

Serving most recently as CFO of NTT DATA Group, Nakayama brings proven leadership and a depth of expertise and experience in defining business strategy and delivering growth. He will continue to strengthen the competitive advantages of the $30+ billion business whilst accelerating it’s AI-centered growth strategy across the 70+ countries and regions in which it operates.

NTT DATA Group’s growth strategy will focus on two key areas alongside its core business operations: AI‑empowered New Value & Productivity; and Next‑Generation Infrastructure. It aims to lead in areas such as Operational AI, which supports business transformation, and Physical AI, which enables the application of AI in physical spaces such as worksites and facilities.

Nakayama began his career at NTT in 1989 and has since made significant contributions to NTT DOCOMO, NTT EAST, and NTT Communications. He was appointed to the role of CFO of NTT DATA Group in 2023. Before that role, Nakayama was Senior Vice President & Head of Finance and Accounting at NTT. He holds a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Tokyo.