REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 5 — Microsoft is splitting leadership of its Asia business between two executives, a move the company said reflects continued investment in a region spanning Japan, South Korea, Australia, the ASEAN bloc, China and India. The company announced on 4 September that Miki Tsusaka and Yang Hou will serve as Co-Presidents for Asia, each accountable for a defined group of markets. Tsusaka will lead Australia and New Zealand, Japan, and Korea.
Hou will lead ASEAN, Greater China, and India. Both report to Deb Cupp, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer for Global Enterprise Sales.
One integrated business
Microsoft stressed that Asia continues to operate as one integrated business. Both leaders will keep running their current organizations as the transition progresses, with local leadership and operations continuing without interruption. Cupp credited outgoing leader Rodrigo Kede Lima for the “energy and momentum” he brought to Asia during his tenure.
“Miki and Yang know our customers and our business across Asia, and each brings the focus and judgment these markets deserve,” Cupp said. “This is an investment in how closely we lead across one of the most important regions for Microsoft and for our customers.”
Two regional veterans
Tsusaka, who also serves as President of Microsoft Japan, called the expanded role an honor and pointed to the dynamism of the markets now under her watch. “These are incredibly dynamic markets, with tremendous opportunities ahead and talented teams who are passionate about helping our customers succeed,” Tsusaka said. Hou, who also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Greater China Region, framed the assignment around the pace of artificial intelligence adoption across ASEAN, Greater China and India.
“As AI reshapes every industry, our customers are moving quickly and thinking boldly,” Hou said. The dual appointment signals how Microsoft is weighing two of its largest growth corridors in Asia — the mature, enterprise-heavy markets of Japan and Korea alongside the faster-scaling economies of Southeast Asia and India.
Watch for how the co-presidents divide investment priorities between those blocks in coming quarters.
