Eiichi Akashi

Akashi became chief technology officer in April 2025, overseeing Nissan's global research and development. He leads vehicle innovation across all segments, from compact kei cars to high-performance sports models. As a member of Nissan's Executive Committee, Akashi plays a central role in advancing the Re:Nissan strategy through technology leadership and product transformation.

With more than 30 years at Nissan, Akashi has held senior roles in product development, engineering, and vehicle design. He previously served as President and CEO of NMKV, Nissan's joint venture with Mitsubishi Motors focused on the kei-car segment. His international experience includes assignments in North America, where he contributed to model development for the U.S. market and led a pivotal platform integration project with Alliance partner Renault in 2018.

Akashi's engineering leadership has shaped Nissan's approach to safety, body design, and platform efficiency. Notable projects include the NV3500 commercial van and the Magnite subcompact SUV—vehicles developed under challenging conditions and designed to meet specific market needs. His motto—"We must never stop advancing technology"—reflects his belief that innovation is essential to quality and competitiveness. A sign reading Shaping the Future with Technology hangs in his office as a daily reminder of this commitment.

Akashi holds a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the University of Tokyo.