Takanobu joined Honda in April 1978[1][2] and had also been an executive of Honda R&D since 1998 and was appointed as President and Director of Honda in April 2009.[2][1] In February 2015, following a recall due to faulty airbags, he announced his resignation as Honda CEO in late June,[3][4][5] and was succeeded by Takahiro Hachigo.[6][7][8]
Previously, Takanobu had been appointed Senior Managing Director of Honda R&D in June 2001, after Director of the Company in June 2000, following the position as Executive Vice President of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. since April 1998.[2]