Yasuchika Hasegawa, former Takeda CEO, dies at 80

Yasuchika Hasegawa, a former president and CEO of Takeda Pharmaceutical who was instrumental in the company's global expansion, died on July 3, 2026, at the age of 80. His passing was announced by Takeda on September 11, 2026, in accordance with his family's wishes.

Hasegawa joined Takeda in 1970 and rose through the ranks, eventually serving as president and CEO from 2003 to 2014. During his leadership, he spearheaded significant global growth through major mergers and acquisitions, including the acquisition of US-based Millennium Pharmaceuticals in 2008 and Swiss company Nycomed in 2011. He also held leadership roles in the broader Japanese business community, serving as chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) from 2011 to 2015. He was also a private member of the government's Industrial Competitiveness Council under the second Abe administration, proposing labor regulation reforms.

Julie Kim, Takeda's current president and CEO, credited Hasegawa with leading Takeda and the Japanese business community with "exceptional decision-making and extraordinary leadership, laying the foundation for the global company we are today." A private funeral was held for close family, and the family has requested no condolence visits.