NTT installs stalwart as Docomo president in clean break

Telecom group moves swiftly ahead of buyout as threat of fee cuts looms

NTT Docomo's incoming president, Motoyuki Ii, right, attends a news conference on Sept. 29 with outgoing President Kazuhiro Yoshizawa.

AKIHIRO OTA, Nikkei staff writer

September 30, 2020 01:16 JST

Updated on September 30, 2020 03:08 JST

TOKYO -- Nippon Telegraph & Telephone has moved quickly to take control of its listed wireless unit NTT Docomo ahead of a $40 billion tender offer that will make it the sole owner, announcing Tuesday that a trusted ally of NTT President Jun Sawada will become head of Docomo.

Motoyuki Ii will become the new president as of Dec. 1, the company said. Ii has only had a brief tenure at Docomo, trading his position as executive vice president and board member from NTT to Docomo in June.