Early Life
Nobutada Saji was born on November 25, 1945, in Japan, and is the grandson of Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory. He graduated from Koyo Gakuin High School and earned a Bachelor of Economics degree from Keio University. Saji furthered his education with an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Rise to Success
Saji's career took off in 2001 when he became the President of Suntory Ltd. Under his leadership, Suntory experienced considerable growth and strengthened its position as a key player in the beverage industry. He played a vital role in the global expansion of the company through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, most notably, the acquisition of Beam Inc. (Jim Beam and Maker's Mark) in 2014 for $16 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Saji focused on overseas acquisitions to expand Suntory's global presence. He also emphasized innovation and product development to meet evolving consumer demands. He was instrumental in Suntory's success in the Chinese market. He stepped down as President of Suntory in 2014, transitioning leadership to a non-family member for the first time.
Philanthropy
Saji is committed to social responsibility and community development. He serves as the Chairman of Ad Council Japan.