Kintetsu Group Holdings, Inc, owner of the Kintetsu Railway, has announced a range of senior management appointments as it looks to capitalize on opportunities provided by the Osaka/Kansai Expo in 2025 and potential development of an IR in Osaka.
The company this week announced Mie Kotsu Group president Toshihide Ogura will assume the role of president, while current president Masada Yoshida will become chairman of subsidiary Kintetsu Real Estate (Osaka city). Kintetsu Group Holdings Chairman Tetsuya Kobayashi will continue in his role. It has been five years since the presidency last changed in April 2015.
The company is looking to Osaka/Kansai Expo in 2025 and the potential IR in Osaka, which seems increasingly likely, as growth opportunities.
Ogura held a press conference in Osaka city, mentioning the worsening business environment due to COVID-19 and how he hopes Kintetsu can navigate the current environment to find new business and build a stronger group.
The company is exploring a new limited express train for the Osaka metro with an eye to the Expo and IR, which will extend the artificial island of Yumeshima to within the boundaries of Osaka city, where the Expo and IR will be located.
The plan requires a new crossing at Ikoma Station (Nara) where the Kintestsu Nara and Kintetsu Keihan meet. This will enable customers to reach Yumeshima from Nara, Nagoya, and Ise without having to change trains. Ogura emphasized, “The challenge will be connecting growing demand for business.”