Toyota Motor Corp.’s incoming chief executive officer isn’t just the company’s head of finance. He was the chairman’s personal secretary for almost a decade.

 

Kenta Kon, 57, on Friday was unexpectedly announced as the next CEO of Japan’s largest manufacturer, to replace Koji Sato, who will become vice chairman in April after three years in the role.

 

Kenta Kon, Toyota's new CEO, was personal secretary for eight years to Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the automaker's founder.