Mr. Watanabe has gained experience in a broad range of activities at TMC, primarily in corporate planning, administrative affairs, public affairs and purchasing. In 1988, Mr. Watanabe became general manager of the Secretarial Division, and in 1989, became general manager of the Corporate Planning Division.
Mr. Watanabe was appointed to director in September 1992, and he became a managing director in June 1997. In June 1999, he was appointed a senior managing director, overseeing business planning and purchasing. In June 2001, Mr. Watanabe became an executive vice president and a member of the board. Mr. Watanabe was president of TMC from June 2005 until June 2009, when he assumed the role of vice chairman of the board. In June 2011, he was appointed to the position of senior advisor.