Koji Arima: Difference between revisions

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| birth_place  = Japan
| birth_place  = Japan
| nationality  = Japanese
| nationality  = Japanese
| occupation  = Business executive
| occupation  = Corporate executive
| known_for    = President and CEO of [[Denso|Denso Corporation]]
| known_for    = President and CEO of [[Denso|Denso Corporation]]
| employer    = [[Denso|Denso Corporation]]
| employer    = [[Denso|Denso Corporation]]
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'''Koji Arima''' (有馬 浩二, ''Arima Kōji'') is a Japanese business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of '''[[Denso|Denso Corporation]]''', one of the world's largest automotive components manufacturers. Arima was elected to lead the company in June 2015, succeeding the previous leadership and guiding Denso through a period of significant transformation in the global automotive industry.<ref name="denso2015">{{cite web |title=Koji Arima to be Elected DENSO President in June |url=https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2015/20150203-02/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2015-02-03 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> During his tenure, the company navigated the shift toward vehicle electrification, invested in semiconductor partnerships, and received international recognition for its pioneering development of the QR code. In April 2023, Denso announced a change to its representative member of the board, marking the transition of leadership away from Arima's presidency.<ref name="denso2023change">{{cite web |title=DENSO Announces a Change to its Representative Member of the Board |url=https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2023/20230410-g01/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2023-04-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Under his leadership, Denso maintained its position as one of the top automotive parts suppliers globally, ranking as the second largest in the world by 2023, and played an active role in industry-wide initiatives to transform mobility in Japan and beyond.
'''Koji Arima''' (有馬 浩二, ''Arima Kōji'') is a Japanese business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of [[Denso|Denso Corporation]], one of the world's largest automotive components manufacturers. Elected to the presidency in June 2015, Arima led Denso through a period of significant transformation in the global automotive industry, overseeing the company's strategic expansion into electrification, advanced mobility technologies, and semiconductor partnerships. During his tenure, Denso maintained its position as one of the top automotive parts suppliers in the world, ranking second globally in the sector.<ref name="denso-president">{{cite web |title=Koji Arima to be Elected DENSO President in June |url=https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2015/20150203-02/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2015-02-03 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Arima's leadership was marked by efforts to position Denso at the forefront of the automotive industry's shift toward electric vehicles, connected mobility, and advanced manufacturing processes. He accepted the prestigious IEEE Corporate Innovation Award on behalf of Denso in 2023 for the company's development and proliferation of the QR code, a technology originally created by Denso's subsidiary Denso Wave.<ref name="ieee-award">{{cite news |date=2023-05-09 |title=DENSO Accepts IEEE Corporate Innovation Award at Ceremony for Developing and Spreading Use of QR Code |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/denso-accepts-ieee-corporate-innovation-award-at-ceremony-for-developing-and-spreading-use-of-qr-code-301820022.html |work=PR Newswire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In April 2023, Denso announced a change in its representative member of the board, signaling Arima's transition from the presidency.<ref name="board-change">{{cite web |title=DENSO Announces a Change to its Representative Member of the Board |url=https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2023/20230410-g01/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2023-04-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Rise to Denso Presidency ===
=== Rise within Denso ===


On February 3, 2015, Denso Corporation publicly announced its plans to elect Koji Arima as the company's new President and CEO, with the transition scheduled to take effect following the annual shareholders' meeting in June of that year.<ref name="denso2015" /><ref name="aw2015">{{cite news |date=2015-02-03 |title=Koji Arima to be elected DENSO President in June |url=https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/koji-arima-elected-denso-president-june/ |work=Automotive World |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The announcement was made from the company's headquarters in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Arima's appointment placed him at the helm of a corporation that, at the time, was already one of the largest automotive component suppliers in the world, with operations spanning dozens of countries and a workforce numbering in the tens of thousands.
Koji Arima built his career within Denso Corporation, the global automotive components manufacturer headquartered in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Denso, originally founded in 1949 as Nippon Denso Co. Ltd. after becoming independent from Toyota Motor, grew into one of the largest and most diversified automotive suppliers in the world.<ref name="denso-home">{{cite web |title=Denso Corporation |url=https://www.denso.com/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The company is a core member of the Toyota Group, with approximately 21.25 percent of its shares held by Toyota Motor Corporation, though Denso serves a broad range of global automakers beyond Toyota.<ref name="denso-home" />


Denso Corporation, originally founded in 1949 as Nippon Denso Co. Ltd. after becoming independent from Toyota Motor, had grown into a global enterprise with deep roots in the Toyota Group while simultaneously diversifying its customer base to include major automakers in Germany, the United States, China, and throughout Japan.<ref name="denso_main">{{cite web |title=Denso Corporation |url=https://www.denso.com/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> By the time Arima assumed the presidency, Toyota Motor Corporation held approximately 25 percent of Denso's shares, though sales to the Toyota Group accounted for less than half of Denso's total revenue, reflecting the company's broad reach across the global automotive supply chain.
Arima rose through the ranks of the organization over the course of his career at Denso, gaining experience across the company's diverse product lines and operational divisions. By early 2015, Denso's board of directors identified Arima as the successor to lead the company as it navigated an automotive industry undergoing rapid technological change.


=== Leadership at Denso ===
=== Election as President and CEO ===


Arima's tenure as President and CEO of Denso coincided with a period of rapid change in the automotive industry. The global push toward electrification, the development of autonomous driving technologies, and increasing demand for advanced semiconductor components reshaped the strategic priorities of major automotive suppliers. Under Arima's leadership, Denso pursued several significant initiatives aimed at positioning the company for this evolving landscape.
On February 3, 2015, Denso Corporation announced plans to elect Koji Arima as its new President and CEO, effective after the company's annual shareholders meeting in June of that year.<ref name="denso-president" /> The announcement was made simultaneously through Denso's corporate communications and picked up by international automotive media.<ref name="aw-president">{{cite news |date=2015-02-03 |title=Koji Arima to be elected DENSO President in June |url=https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/koji-arima-elected-denso-president-june/ |work=Automotive World |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


One notable development during Arima's presidency was Denso's decision to take a minority stake in Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM), a subsidiary established in connection with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). In February 2022, it was announced that Denso, along with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, would invest in JASM as TSMC moved to establish semiconductor manufacturing capacity in Japan.<ref name="tsmc2022">{{cite web |title=DENSO to Take Minority Stake in JASM |url=https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/2911 |publisher=Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited |date=2022-02-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This investment reflected the growing importance of semiconductor supply chains to the automotive sector, particularly as vehicles increasingly incorporated electronic systems for powertrain management, safety features, and connectivity. The partnership with TSMC and Sony underscored Denso's strategic focus on securing access to critical components for next-generation vehicles.
Arima assumed the presidency at a time when the global automotive industry was beginning a fundamental shift. Traditional internal combustion engine technologies were increasingly being supplemented or replaced by electrified powertrains, autonomous driving systems, and connected vehicle platforms. As one of the world's foremost suppliers of thermal systems, powertrain components, electronic systems, and information and safety products, Denso was positioned at the intersection of these transformative trends. Arima's appointment signaled the company's intent to accelerate its role in shaping the future of mobility.


In May 2023, Denso and United Semiconductor Japan Co., Ltd. (USJC) announced the mass production shipment of automotive insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), targeting the expanding electric vehicle market.<ref name="denso_igbt">{{cite web |title=DENSO and USJC Announce Mass Production Shipment of Automotive IGBT, Targeting Expanding Electric Vehicle Market |url=https://www.denso.com/us-ca/home/news/newsroom/2023/20230510-01 |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2023-05-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> IGBTs are essential power semiconductor devices used in the inverters and power control systems of electric and hybrid vehicles. The commencement of mass production represented a milestone in Denso's efforts to build capacity in electrification technologies and to serve the growing global demand for electric vehicle components.
=== Strategic Direction and Electrification ===


=== Industry Engagement and Mobility Transformation ===
Under Arima's leadership, Denso pursued a strategy that emphasized electrification, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and connected car technologies. The company invested significantly in research and development to meet the growing global demand for electric vehicle components, including power electronics, thermal management systems for batteries, and electric motor technologies.


Beyond Denso's internal operations, Arima was involved in broader industry efforts to shape the future of mobility in Japan. In October 2022, the newly established Keidanren Committee on Mobility was launched, attracting registration from over 200 companies and garnering significant attention within Japan's business community.<ref name="keidanren">{{cite web |title=Driving All-Japan Mobility Transformations |url=http://toyotatimes.jp/en/toyota_news/1009.html |publisher=Toyota Times |date=2022-10-07 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The committee represented a cross-industry effort to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the transformation of transportation, including electrification, autonomous driving, and the integration of mobility services with broader societal infrastructure. Denso, as one of Japan's largest mobility suppliers, was a participant in these industry-wide discussions during Arima's tenure as CEO.
One of the notable strategic moves during Arima's tenure was Denso's decision to take a minority stake in Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM), a subsidiary established in connection with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). In February 2022, it was announced that Denso, alongside Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, would invest in JASM as TSMC moved to establish semiconductor manufacturing capacity in Japan.<ref name="tsmc-jasm">{{cite web |title=DENSO to Take Minority Stake in JASM |url=https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/2911 |publisher=Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited |date=2022-02-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This investment reflected the growing importance of semiconductors in modern vehicles and the automotive industry's response to the global chip shortage that disrupted production lines worldwide during 2020–2022. By securing a stake in a TSMC-affiliated manufacturing facility on Japanese soil, Denso under Arima's leadership sought to strengthen its semiconductor supply chain resilience.


The company's engagement in such initiatives reflected Denso's broader corporate philosophy of contributing to societal progress through technology. Denso's involvement in collaborative frameworks with other Japanese manufacturers and technology companies was consistent with the company's historical position within the Toyota Group ecosystem while also extending its influence across a wider network of industry stakeholders.
Denso also continued to expand its electrification research and development capabilities during this period. The company opened dedicated electrification R&D centers in Japan to support the development of next-generation components for hybrid and fully electric vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denso opens electrification R&D centre in Japan |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706091449/https://www.just-auto.com/news/denso-opens-electrification-rd-centre-in-japan_id195969.aspx |publisher=just-auto |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Transition of Leadership ===
=== Semiconductor and Electric Vehicle Component Production ===


On April 10, 2023, Denso Corporation announced a change to its representative member of the board following a meeting of the Board of Directors.<ref name="denso2023change" /> This announcement signaled the transition of executive leadership at the company. Arima's presidency had spanned approximately eight years, during which Denso had navigated significant industry disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on global supply chains, the acceleration of vehicle electrification, and heightened geopolitical tensions affecting semiconductor supply.
In May 2023, Denso and United Semiconductor Japan Co., Ltd. (USJC) announced the mass production shipment of automotive insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), targeting the expanding electric vehicle market.<ref name="igbt-production">{{cite web |title=DENSO and USJC Announce Mass Production Shipment of Automotive IGBT, Targeting Expanding Electric Vehicle Market |url=https://www.denso.com/us-ca/home/news/newsroom/2023/20230510-01 |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2023-05-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> IGBTs are critical power semiconductor devices used in the inverters that control electric motors in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. The commencement of mass production represented a significant milestone in Denso's efforts to become a key supplier of power electronics for the growing EV market. This announcement came in the final months of Arima's tenure as president, underscoring the strategic investments made during his leadership in building semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.


By the fiscal year 2025, Denso continued to report substantial financial performance, maintaining its position as one of the world's leading automotive parts suppliers.<ref name="denso_fy2025">{{cite web |title=DENSO Corporation Financial Results |url=https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2025/20250425-g01/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2025-04-25 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The company's consolidated structure encompassed approximately 200 subsidiaries across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and other regions, reflecting the global scale of the enterprise that Arima had led.
=== Mobility Industry Leadership ===


== Recognition ==
Beyond his role at Denso, Arima participated in broader industry initiatives aimed at shaping the future of mobility in Japan. In October 2022, the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) established its Committee on Mobility, which drew registrations from over 200 companies seeking to drive all-Japan mobility transformations.<ref name="keidanren-mobility">{{cite web |title=Driving All-Japan Mobility Transformations |url=http://toyotatimes.jp/en/toyota_news/1009.html |publisher=Toyota Times |date=2022-10-07 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The committee's formation reflected the Japanese automotive and technology industries' collaborative approach to addressing challenges in electrification, autonomous driving, and mobility-as-a-service. As the head of one of Japan's largest automotive suppliers, Arima and Denso were positioned as key stakeholders in these cross-industry efforts.
 
=== Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives ===
 
During Arima's tenure, Denso also advanced its capabilities in additive manufacturing (3D printing) and other innovative production technologies. The company's work in additive design and manufacturing was described by Denso engineers as representing "a new frontier" for the organization, with applications spanning materials engineering and component production.<ref name="additive-mfg">{{cite web |title=Additive Manufacturing: Driving the Future |url=https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/History/History-Stories/ADM/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2025-12-27 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> These efforts were part of Denso's broader strategy to adopt advanced manufacturing processes that could improve component quality, reduce production lead times, and enable the creation of more complex geometries for next-generation automotive parts.
 
=== Transition from Presidency ===
 
On April 10, 2023, Denso Corporation announced a change to its representative member of the board following a meeting of the Board of Directors.<ref name="board-change" /> This announcement signaled the conclusion of Arima's tenure as president and CEO, a position he had held since June 2015. The transition came after approximately eight years of leadership during which Arima guided Denso through a period of profound industry change, including the acceleration of vehicle electrification, the global semiconductor shortage, and the increasing integration of software and connectivity into automotive systems.


=== IEEE Corporate Innovation Award ===
As of the time of the board change announcement, Denso had grown to become the second-largest auto parts supplier in the world. The company had been listed at number 278 on the Fortune Global 500 in 2022, reporting total revenue of approximately $49.0 billion and employing 167,950 people worldwide. Denso's global footprint included approximately 200 consolidated subsidiaries spread across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and other regions.<ref name="denso-home" />


One of the most prominent forms of recognition during Arima's tenure as Denso's President and CEO came in May 2023, when Denso received the IEEE Corporate Innovation Award for developing and spreading the use of the QR code. The award was presented at a ceremony, and Arima personally accepted the honor on behalf of the company.<ref name="ieee2023">{{cite news |date=2023-05-09 |title=DENSO Accepts IEEE Corporate Innovation Award at Ceremony for Developing and Spreading Use of QR Code |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/denso-accepts-ieee-corporate-innovation-award-at-ceremony-for-developing-and-spreading-use-of-qr-code-301820022.html |work=PR Newswire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The IEEE Corporate Innovation Award recognizes outstanding innovation in technical fields, and its bestowal upon Denso acknowledged the company's role in creating a technology that has become ubiquitous across industries worldwide.
== Recognition ==


The QR code was originally developed in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Denso, as a means of tracking automotive parts during the manufacturing process. The technology subsequently found applications far beyond the automotive sector, becoming a standard tool for information sharing, mobile payments, marketing, logistics, and numerous other uses globally. The IEEE's recognition of Denso's contribution highlighted the enduring impact of the company's innovation capabilities, and Arima's role in accepting the award underscored his position as the public representative of Denso's corporate achievements during this period.
Arima's tenure as President and CEO of Denso was marked by several notable recognitions for the company. Among the most prominent was the IEEE Corporate Innovation Award, which Arima personally accepted on behalf of Denso at a ceremony in May 2023. The award honored Denso for "developing and spreading the use of the QR code," the two-dimensional barcode technology that was originally invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Denso Corporation.<ref name="ieee-award" /> The IEEE Corporate Innovation Award recognizes outstanding innovation in technical fields, and the recognition of the QR code—which had become ubiquitous worldwide in applications ranging from manufacturing logistics to mobile payments and digital health passes—represented a significant acknowledgment of Denso's contribution to global technology beyond the automotive sector.


=== Company Rankings and Industry Standing ===
The QR code was initially developed to track automotive parts during manufacturing but was made freely available through open licensing, enabling its adoption across virtually every industry worldwide. By 2023, the technology had become one of the most widely used digital interfaces in daily life. Arima's acceptance of the award on behalf of Denso highlighted the company's legacy of innovation and its willingness to share technologies for broader societal benefit.<ref name="ieee-award" />


Under Arima's leadership, Denso maintained a prominent position in global industry rankings. In 2022, the company was listed at number 278 on the Fortune Global 500 list, with total revenue of approximately $49.0 billion and a workforce of 167,950 employees. By 2023, Denso was recognized as the second largest auto parts supplier in the world, a position that reflected the company's sustained growth and diversification across multiple automotive technology domains.
Under Arima's leadership, Denso also maintained its ranking among the largest and most influential companies in the world, appearing on the Fortune Global 500 list and continuing to be recognized as a leader in automotive component technology and manufacturing.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Koji Arima's tenure at the helm of Denso Corporation coincided with one of the most transformative periods in the history of the automotive industry. The shift from internal combustion engines to electrified powertrains, the emergence of autonomous driving as a viable technology, and the increasing centrality of semiconductors and software to vehicle design all presented both challenges and opportunities for established automotive suppliers. Under Arima's leadership, Denso pursued strategic investments in semiconductor manufacturing through its stake in JASM alongside TSMC and Sony,<ref name="tsmc2022" /> advanced its capabilities in power electronics with the mass production of automotive IGBTs,<ref name="denso_igbt" /> and continued to leverage its legacy of innovation, as exemplified by the international recognition of the QR code.<ref name="ieee2023" />
Koji Arima's approximately eight-year tenure as President and CEO of Denso Corporation coincided with one of the most transformative periods in the history of the automotive industry. When he assumed the presidency in 2015, the industry was in the early stages of grappling with the implications of vehicle electrification, autonomous driving technology, and increasing vehicle connectivity. By the time of his transition from the role in 2023, these trends had become central strategic imperatives for every major automaker and supplier.


Arima's presidency also saw Denso engage actively in industry-wide efforts to reimagine mobility in Japan, participating in cross-sector initiatives such as the Keidanren Committee on Mobility.<ref name="keidanren" /> These activities positioned Denso not merely as a component supplier but as a contributor to broader conversations about the future of transportation and its intersection with technology, energy policy, and urban planning.
Under Arima, Denso made strategic investments to position itself for this transformation. The company's investment in TSMC's Japanese semiconductor subsidiary JASM addressed the critical need for supply chain security in automotive-grade semiconductors, a vulnerability exposed by the global chip shortage of 2020–2022.<ref name="tsmc-jasm" /> The launch of mass production of automotive IGBTs with USJC demonstrated Denso's commitment to becoming a vertically integrated supplier of power electronics for electric vehicles.<ref name="igbt-production" /> The expansion of electrification R&D centers strengthened Denso's engineering capabilities in areas that would define the next generation of automotive technology.


The company's continued financial strength and global footprint during and after Arima's leadership reflected the effectiveness of the strategic direction pursued during his tenure. Denso's network of approximately 200 consolidated subsidiaries across multiple continents, its diversified customer base extending well beyond the Toyota Group, and its investments in emerging technologies collectively represented the legacy of the period in which Arima served as the company's chief executive.
Arima also represented Denso on the broader stage of Japanese industry, participating in cross-sector initiatives to advance mobility transformation in Japan.<ref name="keidanren-mobility" /> His acceptance of the IEEE Corporate Innovation Award for the QR code underscored Denso's historical contributions to technology innovation that extended far beyond automotive applications.<ref name="ieee-award" />


Denso's ongoing work in areas such as additive manufacturing further illustrated the company's commitment to technological advancement that continued beyond Arima's presidency. Engineers at Denso's facilities in the United States described the company's work in additive design and manufacturing as representing "a new frontier" in the company's capabilities.<ref name="additive">{{cite web |title=Additive Manufacturing: Driving the Future |url=https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/History/History-Stories/ADM/ |publisher=Denso Corporation |date=2025-12-27 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Denso's continued position as the world's second-largest automotive parts supplier during and after Arima's presidency reflected the company's sustained competitiveness under his leadership. With a global workforce of nearly 168,000 employees and operations spanning more than 200 subsidiaries worldwide, Denso under Arima maintained its role as a critical node in the global automotive supply chain while actively investing in the technologies needed for the industry's future.


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 05:50, 24 February 2026



Koji Arima
BirthplaceJapan
NationalityJapanese
OccupationCorporate executive
TitlePresident and CEO (2015–2023)
EmployerDenso Corporation
Known forPresident and CEO of Denso Corporation

Koji Arima (有馬 浩二, Arima Kōji) is a Japanese business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Denso Corporation, one of the world's largest automotive components manufacturers. Elected to the presidency in June 2015, Arima led Denso through a period of significant transformation in the global automotive industry, overseeing the company's strategic expansion into electrification, advanced mobility technologies, and semiconductor partnerships. During his tenure, Denso maintained its position as one of the top automotive parts suppliers in the world, ranking second globally in the sector.[1] Arima's leadership was marked by efforts to position Denso at the forefront of the automotive industry's shift toward electric vehicles, connected mobility, and advanced manufacturing processes. He accepted the prestigious IEEE Corporate Innovation Award on behalf of Denso in 2023 for the company's development and proliferation of the QR code, a technology originally created by Denso's subsidiary Denso Wave.[2] In April 2023, Denso announced a change in its representative member of the board, signaling Arima's transition from the presidency.[3]

Career

Rise within Denso

Koji Arima built his career within Denso Corporation, the global automotive components manufacturer headquartered in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Denso, originally founded in 1949 as Nippon Denso Co. Ltd. after becoming independent from Toyota Motor, grew into one of the largest and most diversified automotive suppliers in the world.[4] The company is a core member of the Toyota Group, with approximately 21.25 percent of its shares held by Toyota Motor Corporation, though Denso serves a broad range of global automakers beyond Toyota.[4]

Arima rose through the ranks of the organization over the course of his career at Denso, gaining experience across the company's diverse product lines and operational divisions. By early 2015, Denso's board of directors identified Arima as the successor to lead the company as it navigated an automotive industry undergoing rapid technological change.

Election as President and CEO

On February 3, 2015, Denso Corporation announced plans to elect Koji Arima as its new President and CEO, effective after the company's annual shareholders meeting in June of that year.[1] The announcement was made simultaneously through Denso's corporate communications and picked up by international automotive media.[5]

Arima assumed the presidency at a time when the global automotive industry was beginning a fundamental shift. Traditional internal combustion engine technologies were increasingly being supplemented or replaced by electrified powertrains, autonomous driving systems, and connected vehicle platforms. As one of the world's foremost suppliers of thermal systems, powertrain components, electronic systems, and information and safety products, Denso was positioned at the intersection of these transformative trends. Arima's appointment signaled the company's intent to accelerate its role in shaping the future of mobility.

Strategic Direction and Electrification

Under Arima's leadership, Denso pursued a strategy that emphasized electrification, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and connected car technologies. The company invested significantly in research and development to meet the growing global demand for electric vehicle components, including power electronics, thermal management systems for batteries, and electric motor technologies.

One of the notable strategic moves during Arima's tenure was Denso's decision to take a minority stake in Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM), a subsidiary established in connection with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). In February 2022, it was announced that Denso, alongside Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, would invest in JASM as TSMC moved to establish semiconductor manufacturing capacity in Japan.[6] This investment reflected the growing importance of semiconductors in modern vehicles and the automotive industry's response to the global chip shortage that disrupted production lines worldwide during 2020–2022. By securing a stake in a TSMC-affiliated manufacturing facility on Japanese soil, Denso under Arima's leadership sought to strengthen its semiconductor supply chain resilience.

Denso also continued to expand its electrification research and development capabilities during this period. The company opened dedicated electrification R&D centers in Japan to support the development of next-generation components for hybrid and fully electric vehicles.[7]

Semiconductor and Electric Vehicle Component Production

In May 2023, Denso and United Semiconductor Japan Co., Ltd. (USJC) announced the mass production shipment of automotive insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), targeting the expanding electric vehicle market.[8] IGBTs are critical power semiconductor devices used in the inverters that control electric motors in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. The commencement of mass production represented a significant milestone in Denso's efforts to become a key supplier of power electronics for the growing EV market. This announcement came in the final months of Arima's tenure as president, underscoring the strategic investments made during his leadership in building semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

Mobility Industry Leadership

Beyond his role at Denso, Arima participated in broader industry initiatives aimed at shaping the future of mobility in Japan. In October 2022, the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) established its Committee on Mobility, which drew registrations from over 200 companies seeking to drive all-Japan mobility transformations.[9] The committee's formation reflected the Japanese automotive and technology industries' collaborative approach to addressing challenges in electrification, autonomous driving, and mobility-as-a-service. As the head of one of Japan's largest automotive suppliers, Arima and Denso were positioned as key stakeholders in these cross-industry efforts.

Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives

During Arima's tenure, Denso also advanced its capabilities in additive manufacturing (3D printing) and other innovative production technologies. The company's work in additive design and manufacturing was described by Denso engineers as representing "a new frontier" for the organization, with applications spanning materials engineering and component production.[10] These efforts were part of Denso's broader strategy to adopt advanced manufacturing processes that could improve component quality, reduce production lead times, and enable the creation of more complex geometries for next-generation automotive parts.

Transition from Presidency

On April 10, 2023, Denso Corporation announced a change to its representative member of the board following a meeting of the Board of Directors.[3] This announcement signaled the conclusion of Arima's tenure as president and CEO, a position he had held since June 2015. The transition came after approximately eight years of leadership during which Arima guided Denso through a period of profound industry change, including the acceleration of vehicle electrification, the global semiconductor shortage, and the increasing integration of software and connectivity into automotive systems.

As of the time of the board change announcement, Denso had grown to become the second-largest auto parts supplier in the world. The company had been listed at number 278 on the Fortune Global 500 in 2022, reporting total revenue of approximately $49.0 billion and employing 167,950 people worldwide. Denso's global footprint included approximately 200 consolidated subsidiaries spread across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and other regions.[4]

Recognition

Arima's tenure as President and CEO of Denso was marked by several notable recognitions for the company. Among the most prominent was the IEEE Corporate Innovation Award, which Arima personally accepted on behalf of Denso at a ceremony in May 2023. The award honored Denso for "developing and spreading the use of the QR code," the two-dimensional barcode technology that was originally invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Denso Corporation.[2] The IEEE Corporate Innovation Award recognizes outstanding innovation in technical fields, and the recognition of the QR code—which had become ubiquitous worldwide in applications ranging from manufacturing logistics to mobile payments and digital health passes—represented a significant acknowledgment of Denso's contribution to global technology beyond the automotive sector.

The QR code was initially developed to track automotive parts during manufacturing but was made freely available through open licensing, enabling its adoption across virtually every industry worldwide. By 2023, the technology had become one of the most widely used digital interfaces in daily life. Arima's acceptance of the award on behalf of Denso highlighted the company's legacy of innovation and its willingness to share technologies for broader societal benefit.[2]

Under Arima's leadership, Denso also maintained its ranking among the largest and most influential companies in the world, appearing on the Fortune Global 500 list and continuing to be recognized as a leader in automotive component technology and manufacturing.

Legacy

Koji Arima's approximately eight-year tenure as President and CEO of Denso Corporation coincided with one of the most transformative periods in the history of the automotive industry. When he assumed the presidency in 2015, the industry was in the early stages of grappling with the implications of vehicle electrification, autonomous driving technology, and increasing vehicle connectivity. By the time of his transition from the role in 2023, these trends had become central strategic imperatives for every major automaker and supplier.

Under Arima, Denso made strategic investments to position itself for this transformation. The company's investment in TSMC's Japanese semiconductor subsidiary JASM addressed the critical need for supply chain security in automotive-grade semiconductors, a vulnerability exposed by the global chip shortage of 2020–2022.[6] The launch of mass production of automotive IGBTs with USJC demonstrated Denso's commitment to becoming a vertically integrated supplier of power electronics for electric vehicles.[8] The expansion of electrification R&D centers strengthened Denso's engineering capabilities in areas that would define the next generation of automotive technology.

Arima also represented Denso on the broader stage of Japanese industry, participating in cross-sector initiatives to advance mobility transformation in Japan.[9] His acceptance of the IEEE Corporate Innovation Award for the QR code underscored Denso's historical contributions to technology innovation that extended far beyond automotive applications.[2]

Denso's continued position as the world's second-largest automotive parts supplier during and after Arima's presidency reflected the company's sustained competitiveness under his leadership. With a global workforce of nearly 168,000 employees and operations spanning more than 200 subsidiaries worldwide, Denso under Arima maintained its role as a critical node in the global automotive supply chain while actively investing in the technologies needed for the industry's future.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Koji Arima to be Elected DENSO President in June".Denso Corporation.2015-02-03.https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2015/20150203-02/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "DENSO Accepts IEEE Corporate Innovation Award at Ceremony for Developing and Spreading Use of QR Code".PR Newswire.2023-05-09.https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/denso-accepts-ieee-corporate-innovation-award-at-ceremony-for-developing-and-spreading-use-of-qr-code-301820022.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "DENSO Announces a Change to its Representative Member of the Board".Denso Corporation.2023-04-10.https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2023/20230410-g01/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Denso Corporation".Denso Corporation.https://www.denso.com/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. "Koji Arima to be elected DENSO President in June".Automotive World.2015-02-03.https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/koji-arima-elected-denso-president-june/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "DENSO to Take Minority Stake in JASM".Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited.2022-02-15.https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/2911.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. "Denso opens electrification R&D centre in Japan".just-auto.https://web.archive.org/web/20200706091449/https://www.just-auto.com/news/denso-opens-electrification-rd-centre-in-japan_id195969.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "DENSO and USJC Announce Mass Production Shipment of Automotive IGBT, Targeting Expanding Electric Vehicle Market".Denso Corporation.2023-05-10.https://www.denso.com/us-ca/home/news/newsroom/2023/20230510-01.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Driving All-Japan Mobility Transformations".Toyota Times.2022-10-07.http://toyotatimes.jp/en/toyota_news/1009.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. "Additive Manufacturing: Driving the Future".Denso Corporation.2025-12-27.https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/History/History-Stories/ADM/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.