YouTube Japan is entering a new chapter as Naomi Yamakawa takes charge as Country Managing Director, bringing over four years of experience leading YouTube Marketing Japan. Her appointment signals YouTube’s renewed focus on creator growth, brand engagement, and audience expansion in one of the world’s most mature and dynamic creator economies. Naomi’s deep expertise in the digital ecosystem and music industry positions her to drive innovative strategies that resonate locally while scaling globally.
Gautam Anand, Vice President & Managing Director, YouTube Asia Pacific at Google, expressed his excitement: “Thrilled to share this exciting news about Naomi Yamakawa stepping into the Country Managing Director role for YouTube Japan. Naomi is the perfect fit to lead our next chapter, bringing a deep understanding of the creator ecosystem, the music industry, and our users. Japan is already one of the world’s most developed creator economies, and we are confident her leadership will accelerate our growth.”
Naomi’s leadership is expected to strengthen YouTube’s creator ecosystem, empower innovative content creation, and deliver advanced solutions for brands in Japan. Her vision combines local insights with global strategy, ensuring YouTube continues to lead as a platform that champions creativity, engagement, and digital-first growth.
With Naomi at the helm, YouTube Japan is set to expand opportunities for creators, deepen audience connections, and drive sustainable growth, reinforcing its position as a market leader in Japanese digital media.
