Tokyo: SATO, a leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, announced today the appointment of Mr. Yasuhiro Tanabe. Mr. Tanabe is tasked with facilitating SATO’s global expansion, and strengthening its presence in overseas markets. He will lead a team dedicated to business development, alliance building and portfolio management focused on meeting the needs of SATO’s growing numbers of customers and partners across the globe.

Prior to joining SATO, Mr. Tanabe spent close to 20 years at Sony, working in Japan, Singapore, and the United States. He spearheaded the launch of digital television in North America in the late 1990s, and later moved into a regional role leading Sony’s television unit for East Asia, doubling sales by pinpointing strategic growth areas and targeting China’s burgeoning provincial cities.

In 2005, Mr. Tanabe shifted gears from B2C to B2B, with an appointment to a management position and the board of directors at the Misumi Group, a Japanese manufacturer that supplies mechanical components to a range of industries including automotive, semi-conductor, medical and packaging.

At Misumi he rapidly increased overseas sales and restructured the company’s mold business, leading the company to achieve the top market share globally for standardized parts. He shifted gears again in 2008, taking up an advisory role for a Tokyo-based private equity fund, where he provided strategic counsel on corporate revitalization of entities under the fund’s management.