Yasufumi (Yasu) Hirai is Group Executive Vice President, CIO and CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) of Rakuten, Inc. a leader in internet services and global innovation headquartered in Japan. In his role as CIO and CISO, Hirai is responsible for the evolution of Rakuten ecosystem services, as well as managing group-wide IT infrastructure and information security governance.

Hirai’s business career started with IBM Japan Ltd. in 1983 and he spent 20 years at IBM both in Japan and New York, taking on a variety of leadership roles including Director, Telecommunications Business Unit and Vice President of Software Group.

Prior to joining Rakuten, Hirai served as Senior Vice President of Cisco Systems, Inc. and President and General Manager of Cisco Systems G.K., responsible for management of its entire Japan operations.

He also served as Senior Managing Executive Officer for Microsoft Japan, with responsibility for its enterprise business.

He is currently Advisor of the Japan Association of New Economy (JANE), Board Member of Japan Institute of Information Technology, and Director of Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Hirai is a graduate of the Faculty of Science, Kyushu University.