Fri Dec 27 16:45:36 UTC 2024: ## Osamu Suzuki, Former Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Passes Away at 94
**Tokyo, Japan –** Osamu Suzuki, the former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, passed away on December 25th at the age of 94. His son, Toshihiro Suzuki, announced the death, stating that his father had been battling a terminal illness (lymphoma). A private funeral was held for close family and friends, per Mr. Suzuki’s wishes.
The family has specifically requested no condolences be offered, either publicly or privately. They have also asked that no flowers, wreaths, or other tributes be sent.
Mr. Suzuki led Suzuki Motor Corporation for an impressive 40 years. Joining the company in 1958, he became president in 1978 and chairman in 2000. His combined tenure as president spanned 28 years, making him one of the longest-serving automotive CEOs globally. He officially retired in 2021 at the age of 91, though he had passed on the presidency to his son in June 2015, continuing as chairman and CEO thereafter.
Under his leadership, Suzuki Motors became a world leader in compact car manufacturing. The company expanded significantly into the Indian market in 1983, and Maruti Suzuki India Limited remains a major player, accounting for roughly one in two cars sold in the country.
Born on January 30, 1930, into a farming family in Gero, Osamu Suzuki initially aspired to a career in politics. He pursued a law degree at Chuo University in Tokyo while working part-time jobs. His marriage to Shoko Suzuki, a granddaughter of the founder of Suzuki Motor Corporation, marked a turning point, leading him into the family’s automotive business. He is survived by his wife and has no sons.
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