Reiwa Travel Announces Appointment of Two New Executive Officers to Strengthen Management Structure

April 1, 2026

Key facts

Reiwa Travel Announces Appointment of Two New Executive Officers to Strengthen Management Structure
Reiwa Travel, operator of the 'NEWT' travel app, has appointed Rena Kanahama as Executive Officer CDO and Kentaro Ogawa as Executive Officer CTO, effective April 1, 2026. These appointments aim to accelerate the company's medium- to long-term growth strategy and strengthen its management structure by integrating design and technology expertise into the executive team. Both new officers bring extensive experience in their respective fields, with Kanahama leading design and brand strategy for NEWT and Ogawa focusing on evolving NEWT into a world-class product through technological and organizational efforts.
Source: PR Times
Date: April 1, 2026

Direct answer

Reiwa Travel, operator of the 'NEWT' travel app, has appointed Rena Kanahama as Executive Officer CDO and Kentaro Ogawa as Executive Officer CTO, effective April 1, 2026. These appointments aim to accelerate the company's medium- to long-term growth strategy and strengthen its management structure by integrating design and technology expertise into the executive team. Both new officers bring extensive experience in their respective fields, with Kanahama leading design and brand strategy for NEWT and Ogawa focusing on evolving NEWT into a world-class product through technological and organizational efforts.

Citation: Reiwa Travel Announces Appointment of Two New Executive Officers to Strengthen Management Structure (April 1, 2026), PR Times
Source: PR Times
Date: April 1, 2026

Reiwa Travel, operator of the 'NEWT' travel app, has appointed Rena Kanahama as Executive Officer CDO and Kentaro Ogawa as Executive Officer CTO, effective April 1, 2026. These appointments aim to accelerate the company's medium- to long-term growth strategy and strengthen its management structure by integrating design and technology expertise into the executive team. Both new officers bring extensive experience in their respective fields, with Kanahama leading design and brand strategy for NEWT and Ogawa focusing on evolving NEWT into a world-class product through technological and organizational efforts.

personnelNQ 100/100出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 18:00
🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 09:36
🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 19:51 (370h 15m after Collected)

Reiwa Travel Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaya Shinozuka), which operates the smart, affordable travel app 'NEWT,' announced that Rena Kanahama has been newly appointed as Executive Officer CDO (Chief Design Officer) and Kentaro Ogawa as Executive Officer CTO (Chief Technology Officer), effective April 1, 2026. With the addition of these two experts in design and technology to the management team, the company will further accelerate its medium- to long-term growth strategy and strengthen its management structure across a wide range of areas.

■ About the New Executive Officers

Executive Officer CDO Rena Kanahama

After gaining experience in graphic design at a design firm and advertising production company, she transitioned to UI/UX design. From 2019, she was involved in new business development at BCG Digital Ventures (now BCG X). She joined Reiwa Travel in February 2022, leading NEWT's design and brand strategy. She assumed her current position in April 2026.

"I want to nurture 'NEWT' into a brand loved by everyone. I will dedicate myself to maximizing 'customer value' through the power of design and contributing to NEWT's discontinuous growth."

Executive Officer CTO Kentaro Ogawa

After working as an engineer at a contract development company, he joined Recruit Co., Ltd. in 2012. He led development as the head of development in key promotional areas, including 'SUUMO' and 'Hot Pepper,' from new business launches to the growth of existing businesses. He joined Reiwa Travel in January 2026 and assumed his current position in April 2026.

"The travel industry still has much room for transformation through technology. I will fully commit to both technology and organizational aspects to evolve NEWT into a world-class product."

■ New Management Structure

Position	Name
Representative Director CEO	Takaya Shinozuka
Director & Executive Officer CHRO	Hiroshi Tamura
Executive Officer CBO	Hiroki Uketa
Executive Officer CCO	Yuki Oki
Executive Officer CPO	Shotaro Asagara
Executive Officer CIO	Takayuki Tomonaga
Executive Officer CSO	Katsunao Miyazawa
Executive Officer CAO	Yoshiaki Ono
Executive Officer CDO (New Appointment)	Rena Kanahama
Executive Officer CTO (New Appointment)	Kentaro Ogawa

■ Reiwa Travel Company Overview

Reiwa Travel is a digital travel agency with the mission of "New Travel, for Everyone." It aims to provide new experiences in travel and new social value. Since April 2022, it has offered the smart, affordable travel app 'NEWT.' The company challenges itself to maximize DX in travel industry booking and management operations, creating social value through the travel experience.

Name: Reiwa Travel Inc.

Location: Shibuya Infotower 15F, 20-1 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Representative Director Takaya Shinozuka

Founding Date: April 5, 2021

Business Activities: Travel Agency Business

License: Class 1 Travel Agency (Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency: No. 2123)

Affiliations: JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) Regular Member, IATA (International Air Transport Association) Accredited Agent

Company Website: https://newt.net/company

'NEWT' Brand Page: https://newt.net/brand

Official SNS

・LINE: https://lin.ee/ZKchfbF

・X: https://x.com/newt_travel

・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newt_guide/

・Threads: https://www.threads.com/@newt_guide

・TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newt_travel

・YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newt_travel

FAQ

When were Rena Kanahama and Kentaro Ogawa appointed as Executive Officers at Reiwa Travel Inc.

Rena Kanahama and Kentaro Ogawa were appointed as Executive Officers at Reiwa Travel Inc. effective April 1, 2026.

What are the full names and titles of the two new Executive Officers appointed by Reiwa Travel Inc.

The two new Executive Officers are Rena Kanahama, appointed as Chief Design Officer, and Kentaro Ogawa, appointed as Chief Technology Officer.

What responsibilities does Rena Kanahama have in her role as Executive Officer CDO at Reiwa Travel Inc.

As Executive Officer CDO, Rena Kanahama leads NEWT's design and brand strategy and aims to maximize customer value through design.

What previous company did Kentaro Ogawa work for before joining Reiwa Travel Inc. in January 2026

Before joining Reiwa Travel Inc. in January 2026, Kentaro Ogawa worked at Recruit Co., Ltd., where he led development for SUUMO and Hot Pepper.

What was Rena Kanahama's professional background prior to joining Reiwa Travel in February 2022

Prior to joining Reiwa Travel in February 2022, Rena Kanahama worked in graphic design and UI/UX design, including at BCG Digital Ventures from 2019.

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