Regarding the Retirement and Appointment of Executives
The Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA) announced executive changes, with Director Mikiharu Shimizu retiring and Director Ryoji Uchida being appointed, expanding his responsibilities.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 21:07
The Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) announces the following executive changes.
**1. Details of Personnel Changes**
* **Effective March 31, 2026:**
* Mikiharu Shimizu, Director, Retires
(Head of Operations, CIO, CISO)
* **Effective April 1, 2026:**
* Ryoji Uchida, Director, Appointed
(Head of Operations, CIO, CISO, in charge of Comprehensive Strategy and Financial Support)
**2. Brief Biography of Ryoji Uchida**
* **April 1998 (Heisei 10):** Joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
* **June 2016 (Heisei 28):** Counselor, Embassy of Japan in the United States of America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* **July 2019 (Reiwa 1):** Counselor, Trade Policy Bureau, Trade and Economic Cooperation Department, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
* **April 2021 (Reiwa 3):** Director, International Economic Affairs Division, Trade Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
* **July 2022 (Reiwa 4):** Director, Information Technology Utilization Promotion Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
* **July 2025 (Reiwa 7):** Senior Executive Officer, Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan
(In charge of Comprehensive Strategy and Financial Support)
**■ Contact Information**
IPA Management Planning Center, Strategic Communication Department, Strategic Communication Office
Watanabe, Kamoda, Oya
Tel: 03-5978-7503
Inquiry Form: https://info.ipa.go.jp/form/pub/inquire/pr-inquiries
**1. Details of Personnel Changes**
* **Effective March 31, 2026:**
* Mikiharu Shimizu, Director, Retires
(Head of Operations, CIO, CISO)
* **Effective April 1, 2026:**
* Ryoji Uchida, Director, Appointed
(Head of Operations, CIO, CISO, in charge of Comprehensive Strategy and Financial Support)
**2. Brief Biography of Ryoji Uchida**
* **April 1998 (Heisei 10):** Joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
* **June 2016 (Heisei 28):** Counselor, Embassy of Japan in the United States of America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* **July 2019 (Reiwa 1):** Counselor, Trade Policy Bureau, Trade and Economic Cooperation Department, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
* **April 2021 (Reiwa 3):** Director, International Economic Affairs Division, Trade Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
* **July 2022 (Reiwa 4):** Director, Information Technology Utilization Promotion Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
* **July 2025 (Reiwa 7):** Senior Executive Officer, Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan
(In charge of Comprehensive Strategy and Financial Support)
**■ Contact Information**
IPA Management Planning Center, Strategic Communication Department, Strategic Communication Office
Watanabe, Kamoda, Oya
Tel: 03-5978-7503
Inquiry Form: https://info.ipa.go.jp/form/pub/inquire/pr-inquiries
FAQ
What are the main points of IPA's executive change?
Director Mikiharu Shimizu retired, and Director Ryoji Uchida was appointed. Mr. Uchida will be responsible for overall operational management, CIO, CISO, and additionally, comprehensive strategy and financial support.
What is the background of the new Director Uchida?
After joining the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, he held key positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, including Director of the Information Technology Utilization Promotion Division.
How will this personnel change affect IPA's strategy?
With the addition of a new financial support role, IPA is expected to strengthen its involvement in formulating national IT strategies and related financial support.