Mitsuro Antoku
Antoku was appointed chief quality officer of Nissan in April 2024. In this role, he oversees the quality of all products and services delivered to customers worldwide. He and his team listen to customer feedback daily and drive initiatives to enhance quality, staying focused on delivering greater customer satisfaction. As a result, in 2025, Nissan was ranked highest among non-premium brands in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) conducted in the United States.
After joining Nissan in 1986, Antoku spent three decades developing a wide range of vehicles, from kei cars to full-size SUVs. His first U.S. assignment as a body engineer on the first-generation Xterra left a lasting impression. At the time, frame-based SUVs had become less common in Nissan's lineup, making the project a significant challenge. The breakthrough came from thinking deeply about what U.S. customers wanted in an SUV. Additionally, by carrying out every stage of the process locally, from planning through development, the team created a pioneering product that helped open a new market segment.
As chief vehicle engineer for the fifth-generation Altima and third-generation Teana, high-volume models sold across multiple markets – he faced intense pressure. To meet distinct customer needs in each region, engineering teams in the United States, China, and Japan engaged in extensive discussions until they reached mutual agreement. The result was strong praise in every market. Antoku believes that when you keep the customer at the center, there is no challenge you cannot solve, a conviction that continues to guide him today.
Antoku emphasizes Nissan's long-cultivated technological expertise and company's proven process for transforming those strengths into products. He encourages young employees to pursue their passions and enjoy their work, believing that genuine enjoyment is what leads to building great cars.
Antoku holds a master's degree in aeronautics from Kyoto University.
