Myochin takes over as new boss of K Line
Yukikazu Myochin will take the reins at one of the world’s largest shipping lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), in a banner year for the Tokyo-headquartered company.
In a management succession plan announced today, Myochin will take over from Eizo Murakami as president and CEO on April 1 next year when K Line celebrates its 100th anniversary. Murakami will move upstairs to become chairman, taking over from Jiro Asakura, who will continue his links with the shipping giant as a board director.
Myochin, 57, has been with K Line throughout his career, starting out in 1984. K Line, with more than 500 ships, is among the 10 largest shipping lines in the world.
During his tenure in charge since 2015 Murakami has faced repeated shareholder revolts over the company’s poor financial results. Murakami was also in charge during the creation of Ocean Network Express (ONE), the merged Japanese container entity.