# Takumi Masai

![Takumi Masai](/resources/cognition/portraits/takumi-masai.webp)

Cognition AI - President & General Manager, Japan (日本法人社長)  
Cognition  
Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

## At Cognition

- Role: President & General Manager, Japan (日本法人社長) (Leadership)
- Joined: Apr 2026
- How they joined: Directly
- Before Cognition: President & Japan General Manager (日本法人社長）, Datadog
- Overlapped before Cognition with other Cognition people at: Microsoft; Datadog; Workday (https://www.autumn.ai/resources/cognition/worked-together)

## Identity
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai
- Domain: cognition.com

## Notes
- Masai said he is truly honored to join Cognition and support the transformation of software development in Japan. Quote: "Masai said he is truly honored to join Cognition and support the transformation of software development in Japan." (https://www.crnasia.com/news/2026/artificial-intelligence/cognition-establishes-japan-entity-in-first-expansion-into-a)
- Cognition is already working with Japanese organizations including DeNA, which used Devin to more than double operation efficiency across multiple engineering functions. Quote: "This includes DeNA, a leading Japanese tech company that has used Devin to more than double operation efficiency across multiple engineering functions, including new service development, code quality improvement, and the automation of routine development workflows." (https://www.crnasia.com/news/2026/artificial-intelligence/cognition-establishes-japan-entity-in-first-expansion-into-a)
- Cognition expanded into Japan on 2026-04-09, marking its first step into Asia. Quote: "Today, we’re expanding Cognition into Japan, marking our first step into Asia." (https://cognition.com/blog/launching-in-japan)
- Through a partnership with ULS Consulting, Cognition supported Mizuho Securities in becoming one of the first large scale financial institutions in Japan to deploy Devin. Quote: "Through our partnership with ULS Consulting, we have also supported Mizuho Securities in becoming one of the first large scale financial institutions in Japan to deploy Devin." (https://cognition.com/blog/launching-in-japan)
- Cognition hosted Tokyo Merge, its first Merge event in Japan, to mark the launch. Quote: "we hosted Tokyo Merge, our first Merge event in Japan" (https://cognition.com/blog/launching-in-japan)
- Cognition is already working with DeNA and Mizuho Securities through partner ULS Consulting. (https://www.techinasia.com/news/us-ai-startup-cognition-enters-japan-for-asia-debut)
- Cognition teamed up with DeNA to support the Japan launch of Devin, with DeNA AI Link Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of DeNA Co., Ltd., serving as a strategic partner. (https://www.techinasia.com/news/us-ai-startup-cognition-enters-japan-for-asia-debut)
- Cognition said it has raised more than US$400 million at a valuation of US$10.2 billion. (https://www.techinasia.com/news/us-ai-startup-cognition-enters-japan-for-asia-debut)
- Takumi Masai was appointed President and General Manager of Cognition's Japanese subsidiary (Cognition AI Japan). Quote: "日本法人社長兼ゼネラルマネージャーとして、正井拓己が就任しました" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Cognition announced the establishment of its Japanese entity on 2026-04-09, its first base in Asia. Quote: "本日、日本法人の設立を発表しました。これは同社にとってアジア初の拠点展開となります" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Masai said he is honored to join Cognition and support the transformation of software development in Japan. Quote: "Cognitionに参画し、日本におけるソフトウェア開発の変革を支援できることを大変光栄に思います" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Cognition's President Russell Kaplan said the company supports Japan as a long-term partner under Masai's leadership. Quote: "正井のリーダーシップのもと、日本のエンジニアリング組織が迎えるソフトウェア開発における大きな転換期を乗り越えるにあたり、長期的なパートナーとして支援してまいります" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Current role is President & General Manager, Japan (日本法人社長) at Cognition. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "11月3日水曜日からパシフィコ横浜ノースにて開催される「Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo™ 2026」にCognition AI Japanは出展します！会場ブースにはCognition AI社員が常駐していますので、ご来場くださった方々は是非お立ち寄りください。" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_devin-cognition-cognitionaijapan-activity-7523557237286416384-nVt8)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "Cognition AI JapanにDeployed Engineerが続々とオンボードしています！ Colin Imaizumi さんはPalantir TechnologiesでFDEとして活躍されていたバックグラウンドを持ち、今後、日本の大企業向けのDevin導入・展開プロジェクトを支援します。.
セールス組織の拡大に伴いDEポジションも積極採用中です。我こそはという方がいらっしゃいましたら是非ご応募ください。ご入社一日目から素晴らしい製品と共に大活躍頂ける環境がCognition AI Japanにはあります。
Colinさん、最高のチームへようこそ！" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_cognition-ai-japan%E3%81%ABdeployed-engineer%E3%81%8C%E7%B6%9A%E3%80%85%E3%81%A8%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89-activity-7522870559429361664-C1Ho)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "発表以来、大きな反響をいただいている「Devin Security 2.0」の日本語プレスリリースを配信しました。フロンティア サイバーモデルによるディープスキャンをDevin上で提供・企業向けに総額数億ドル規模のDevinクレジットを拠出するという内容になります。" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_devin-security-20%E6%96%B0%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AA%E8%84%85%E5%A8%81%E7%92%B0%E5%A2%83%E3%81%AB%E5%90%91%E3%81%91%E3%81%A6-devin-activity-7521844285973987328-zKJD)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "Cognition/Devinメディア記事" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_ai%E3%81%AB%E3%82%88%E3%82%8B%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E9%96%8B%E7%99%BA%E3%81%AF%E4%BF%A1%E9%A0%BC%E6%80%A7%E3%82%92%E6%8B%85%E4%BF%9D%E3%81%A7%E3%81%8D%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B%E7%AB%8B%E3%81%A1%E3%81%AF%E3%81%A0%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8B%E5%A3%81%E3%81%AB%E6%8C%91%E3%82%80%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%83%BC-activity-7521723387304386561-9pJE)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "パワーアップして帰ってくるMerge Tokyo、主要なスピーカーがオープンになりました！.
顧客企業様ではみずほ証券様、ワークスアプリケーションズ様、NTTドコモ様、農林中央金庫様、AI inside様の講演が確定しています。
エンタープライズ企業でのAI駆動型開発の最前線と、Devinがリードする次世代のソフトウェアエンジニアリングを、是非会場で体感ください！" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_merge-tokyo-2026-activity-7519307443043131392-Msk5)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "Cognition、本番環境の障害調査と対応を自動化する「Devin Oncall」の一般提供を開始" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_cognition%E6%9C%AC%E7%95%AA%E7%92%B0%E5%A2%83%E3%81%AE%E9%9A%9C%E5%AE%B3%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%BB%E3%81%A8%E5%AF%BE%E5%BF%9C%E3%82%92%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E5%8C%96%E3%81%99%E3%82%8Bdevin-oncall-activity-7519285000953847808-VGCV)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "先日、みずほ証券 IT・システムグループ 上級技術統括の杉谷様と、メディア対談の機会をいただきました。.
みずほ証券様では、昨年7月に杉谷様がULSコンサルティング様のご紹介でDevinのデモをご覧になったことをきっかけに、PoCを実施。その後、約半年という期間で、国内金融機関として初めてDevinをエンタープライズ導入いただきました。
今回の対談では、私から杉谷様に、Devin導入の背景や狙い、今後の展望についてお話を伺いました。さらに、Devinの様な先進的なAIプラットフォームを組織全体に浸透させるための組織・人事改革という観点からも、深く掘り下げてお聞きしています。
杉谷様のお話には、AI駆動型開発の導入や全社展開を検討されている企業の皆様にとって、多くの示唆が詰まっています。これからの開発組織のあり方を考えるうえでも、ぜひご参考にしていただきたい内容です。
記事は来月中旬頃に公開予" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_%E5%85%88%E6%97%A5%E3%81%BF%E3%81%9A%E3%81%BB%E8%A8%BC%E5%88%B8-it%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97-%E4%B8%8A%E7%B4%9A%E6%8A%80%E8%A1%93%E7%B5%B1%E6%8B%AC%E3%81%AE%E6%9D%89%E8%B0%B7%E6%A7%98%E3%81%A8%E3%83%A1%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%A2%E5%AF%BE%E8%AB%87%E3%81%AE%E6%A9%9F%E4%BC%9A-activity-7519253996566671360-Fqvo)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "Cognition AI JapanはCTC DISCOVER 2026に参加させて頂いています。我々のパートナー様でもありますCTC様の勢いそのままの、大変な熱気に包まれている会場ですが、その中でもCognitionブースは控えめに言っても大盛況です！まだ会場にいらっしゃる皆様は是非、CognitionブースでDevinを体感ください！" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_cognition-ai-japan%E3%81%AFctc-discover-2026%E3%81%AB%E5%8F%82%E5%8A%A0%E3%81%95%E3%81%9B%E3%81%A6-activity-7516752793790111744-L010)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "NattさんはCognition AI Japanの最初のDeployed Engineerとしてご入社を頂きました！Palantir Technologiesなどで様々な経験を積まれ、入社後間もなく幾つものお客様エンゲージメントに参画してくれている頼もしい人材です。日本チームは素晴らしいメンバーに恵まれています。.
力強いビジネス成長に伴い、CognitionではDEチームを全世界で拡大しています。日本でも今後、積極的にDEチームを展開予定ですので、我々と日本のソフトウェアエンジニアリングを変革したいという方は是非ご応募ください！" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_natt%E3%81%95%E3%82%93%E3%81%AFcognition-ai-japan%E3%81%AE%E6%9C%80%E5%88%9D%E3%81%AEdeployed-engineer-activity-7516735954263494657-Nqsc)
- LinkedIn post about Cognition, verbatim: "グローバル規模で展開されているCognition-Devin広告キャンペーン、遂に東京でもスタートしました！渋谷スクランブル交差点もDevin一色です。渋谷、新宿、有楽町、東京で今月末まで展開予定です。さあ、Devinが日本を席巻します！" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%AB%E8%A6%8F%E6%A8%A1%E3%81%A7%E5%B1%95%E9%96%8B%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%82%8Bcognition-devin%E5%BA%83%E5%91%8A%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E9%81%82%E3%81%AB-activity-7516363633627463680-C5Mg)
- Masai said that as AI adoption accelerates there is a significant opportunity to rethink how organizations build and operate software. Quote: "“As AI adoption accelerates, there is a significant opportunity to rethink how organizations build and operate software. Together with our partners, we aim to help shape a new era of software development and strengthen the global competitiveness of Japanese enterprises,” Masai said." (https://www.crnasia.com/news/2026/artificial-intelligence/cognition-establishes-japan-entity-in-first-expansion-into-a)
- DeNA, one of Japan's leading technology companies, used Devin to more than double operational efficiency across multiple engineering functions. Quote: "DeNA, one of Japan’s leading technology companies, has used Devin to more than double operational efficiency across multiple engineering functions" (https://cognition.com/blog/launching-in-japan)
- DeNA first ran Devin internally and said some teams more than doubled operational efficiency. (https://www.techinasia.com/news/us-ai-startup-cognition-enters-japan-for-asia-debut)
- Masai has over 30 years of experience in advanced system development and corporate transformation in Japan. Quote: "日本における先進的なシステム開発および企業変革の分野で30年以上の経験を有しています" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Masai previously held senior positions at the Japanese subsidiaries of IBM, Pivotal, Microsoft, and Workday. Quote: "これまでにIBM、Pivotal、Microsoft、Workdayなどの世界有数のテクノロジー企業の日本法人で要職を歴任し" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Most recently, Masai served as President of Datadog's Japanese subsidiary. Quote: "直近ではDatadogの日本法人社長を務めました" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Masai said he aims to contribute to creating a new era of software development together with partners and to support Japanese companies' global competitiveness. Quote: "パートナーの皆様とともに、新たなソフトウェア開発の時代の創出に貢献し、日本企業のグローバル競争力強化を支援してまいります" (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html)
- Public headline says "Cognition AI - President & General Manager, Japan (日本法人社長)". (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai)
- At Pivotal he held a country leadership role in which he launched the Japan entity, scaled it, and saw it through an IPO and a merger. Quote: "joined Pivotal, where I experienced everything for country leadership role (launched Japan entity, scaled, IPO and be merged)" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_10-years-ago-today-november-22-2012-the-activity-7000748012834611200-8njl)
- As of 2022-11-22 he was working at Workday, which he described as one of the best cloud companies in the world. Quote: "Now I am in Workday, one of the best cloud companies in the world, and still walking on the same path, which is supporting customer’s transformation by data and technologies." (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_10-years-ago-today-november-22-2012-the-activity-7000748012834611200-8njl)
- Masai began his career at IBM Japan (日本アイ・ビー・エム). Quote: "正井は日本アイ・ビー・エムにてキャリアをスタートし" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- At Pivotal Japan, Masai served as Japan General Manager, driving agile development and cloud-native infrastructure to lead enterprise digital transformation. Quote: "Pivotal ジャパンでは日本法人ゼネラル・マネージャーとしてアジャイル開発やクラウドネイティブ基盤を活用しエンタープライズ企業のトランスフォーメーションを牽引。" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- Most recently before Workday, Masai led the expansion of Microsoft Japan's cloud business. Quote: "直近では日本マイクロソフトにて同社のクラウドビジネスの拡充をリードしてきました。" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- Masai has spent over 20 years helping Japanese enterprise customers with data analysis, cloud technology adoption, and digital transformation. Quote: "正井は、20 年以上にわたり日本企業のお客様のデータ分析やクラウド技術の活用、またそれらを用いたデジタル変革の推進に尽力してきました。" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- Takumi Masai was appointed Executive President and Japan General Manager and Representative Director of Workday Japan (Workday株式会社) effective 2020-08-12. Quote: "2020 年 8 月 12 日付けて、同社の日本法人であるワークデイ株式会社（以下、ワークデイ）のエグゼクティブ・プレジデント兼日本担当ゼネラルマネージャー日本法人社長に正井 拓己（まさい たくみ）が就任したことを発表しました。" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- In his Workday role, Masai reports to APJ (Asia Pacific and Japan) President David Webster and oversees the entire Japan business including sales, operations, and services. Quote: "正井は今後、APJ （アジア太平洋及び日本）地域担当プレジデントのデビッド・ウェブスターのもとで、日本市場の責任者として営業およびオペレーション、サービスを含むビジネス全般を統括します。" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- Masai said he aims with the Workday team to expand Japan's HCM market and support digital transformation of domestic companies' finance, HR, and planning. Quote: "「Workday チームとして、日本の HCM 市場拡大を目指し、国内企業の財務、人事、プランニングのデジタルトランスフォーメーションを支援することは、大きな挑戦であると共に貴重な機会だと思っています。お客様が働き方の急激な変化に柔軟かつ迅速に対応し、COVID-19 のパンデミックによる大きな変化から脱却し前進できるよう、全力で取り組んでまいります」と正井は述べています。" (https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai)
- Takumi Masai's last day at Pivotal Japan was December 15, 2019, after working there since 2012. Quote: "December 15, 2019 is my last day at Pivotal Japan, where I have been working for since 2012." (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He led Pivotal in Japan from its beginning in a Japan country leadership role. Quote: "It is a great honor for me to lead a very exciting, silicon valley's start up company like Pivotal from its' beginning as Japan country leadership role" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He expressed that leaving Pivotal was a very difficult decision because he loved its culture, cutting-edge solutions, talented colleagues, and customers and business partners. Quote: "it was a very difficult decision to leave Pivotal" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He stated his belief that Pivotal will become the new growth engine of VMware. Quote: "I believe that Pivotal will become new growth engine of VMware" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He expressed appreciation for everyone's kindness and support during his last 7 years. Quote: "I'd like to express my deepest appreciation for everyone's kindness and support during the last 7 years." (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He was at Pivotal when the company IPO'd in 2018. Quote: "got company IPO in 2018" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He opened the Pivotal Labs Tokyo office in 2016. Quote: "opened Pivotal Labs Tokyo office in 2016" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- He experienced the Japan legal entity launch in 2013. Quote: "experienced Japan legal entity launch in 2013" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA)
- Takumi Masai left IBM on 2012-11-22 after a 16-year career there to begin the second chapter of his career at Pivotal. Quote: "10 years ago today, November 22, 2012, the 2nd chapter of my career was started. I decided to departure from IBM, where I learned everything I need through 16 years career there, and joined Pivotal" (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_10-years-ago-today-november-22-2012-the-activity-7000748012834611200-8njl)
- He began his career at 日本アイ・ビー・エム株式会社 (IBM Japan) as a new graduate in 1996. Quote: "新卒で入社した日本IBM" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- Takumi Masai is President & Country General Manager and Japan subsidiary head (日本法人社長) of Datadog Japan合同会社. Quote: "Datadog Japan合同会社 プレジデント＆カントリーゼネラルマネージャー日本法人社長 正井 拓己" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- He worked at IBM Japan for about 17 years, including an assignment to the US headquarters. Quote: "日本IBMには米国本社への赴任も含め、約17年間在籍しました。" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- He studied economics and business at university and had no study-abroad experience. Quote: "大学では経済やビジネスを専攻しており、海外留学の経験もなかった" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- He left IBM to join Pivotal, a startup founded in Silicon Valley. Quote: "西海岸のシリコンバレーで創業したPivotalへ飛び込むことを決意しました。" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- At Pivotal Japan he was responsible for establishing the Japanese subsidiary from zero, including recruiting members, opening an office, and developing partner companies and customers. Quote: "Pivotalジャパンでは、日本法人の立ち上げをゼロから担当しました。メンバー集めからオフィスの開設、パートナー企業やお客様の開拓まで" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- He then handled cloud business at 日本マイクロソフト株式会社 (Microsoft Japan). Quote: "日本マイクロソフト株式会社でクラウド事業を担当したのち" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- Before joining Datadog Japan, he served as 社長 (president) of ワークデイ株式会社, the Japanese subsidiary of Workday, leading HR and finance transformation for Japanese companies. Quote: "Datadog Japan入社前はWorkdayの日本法人であるワークデイ株式会社の社長として日本企業における人事・財務変革を牽引" (https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987)
- I currently lead Cognition AI’s business in Japan. As the first employee in Japan, I have been responsible for establishing the local entity and building the business and organization from the ground up. My scope covers enterprise business development, partner ecosystem development, marketing, recruiting, people operations, and the broader go-to-market strategy. My focus is on establishing Cognition as a leading AI company in Japan and transforming software engineering through AI.Throughout my c; this comes from the profile summary and preserves the person's own positioning. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai)
- Previous roles include President & General Manager, Japan (日本法人社長) at Cognition; President & Japan General Manager (日本法人社長） at Datadog; Executive President & Japan General Manager (日本法人社長) at Workday; Director of Sales, Azure, Intelligent Cloud (業務執行役員) at Microsoft; Area Vice President & Japan General Manager, Pivotal Japan (日本法人カントリーマネージャー) at Pivotal Software, Inc.; Enterprise Sales Manager, Business Analytics Software at IBM Japan; Program Manager, Marketing Operation (Global Sales Support) at IBM Corporation; Project Office Leader, Global Banking Solution at IBM Japan. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai)
- Education history includes Bachelor of Commerce, Meiji University. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai)
- Location is Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai)

## Experience
- President & General Manager, Japan (日本法人社長) at Cognition (Apr 2026 - Present)
- President & Japan General Manager (日本法人社長） at Datadog (Feb 2024 - Apr 2026)
- Executive President & Japan General Manager (日本法人社長) at Workday (Aug 2020 - Jan 2024): I held the country leadership role (executive president and Japan general manager) for Workday Japan since 2020. Workday provides Human Capital Management (HCM), Financial Management, and Planning solutions in the market, catering to large, globalized customers to mid-enterprise customers. Workday Japan led enterprise company’s HR and Finance transformation by leveraging strong partnership with global consulting companies
- Director of Sales, Azure, Intelligent Cloud (業務執行役員) at Microsoft (Dec 2019 - Aug 2020): I led Microsoft's cloud business, Azure, as Sales Director from December 2019. My responsibilities included expanding the entire Azure business portfolio (platform, technology, data analytics, and AI) across industries and large enterprise customers in the market. Additionally, I spearheaded business initiatives such as application development, SAP collaboration, and acquiring new logos for the mid-enterprise market.
- Area Vice President & Japan General Manager, Pivotal Japan (日本法人カントリーマネージャー) at Pivotal Software, Inc. (Dec 2012 - Nov 2019): I launched Pivotal's Japan entity and initiated its local operations in a country leadership position in 2013. Over the past seven years, I have been spearheading the expansion of Pivotal's Japan business and organization as AVP & Japan GM. The business has consistently grown year by year across all solution segments, including agile development, analytics, and cloud-native platforms. In 2016, we opened Pivotal Labs Tokyo office, where Pivotal Japan led the digital transformation of major Japanese enterprises. Pivotal Japan successfully acquired numerous new logos across industries and established excellent business partnerships with major Japanese System Integrators.
- Enterprise Sales Manager, Business Analytics Software at IBM Japan (Aug 2009 - Nov 2012): I served as Enterprise Sales Manager which was responsible for both High touch sales and partner channel, as well as marketing/sales enablement, technical services driving sales of enterprise analytics products, like BI (Cognos), BA (SPSS) etc toward enterprise companies across all industries. I launched enterprise analytics software business in Japan, by leveraging IBM acquired products and resources. I introduced solution sales approach to the team and successfully acquired large enterprise deals and business growth in Japan.
- Program Manager, Marketing Operation (Global Sales Support) at IBM Corporation (Dec 2006 - Jul 2009): I accepted 2-year international assignment to the U.S., within global marketing operations organization to promote IBM's business strategy, industry solutions and product road-map to most important Japanese enterprise customers. The responsibilities included a variety of marketing activities toward C-level executives in Japan and in the U.S., to promote entire IBM business portfolio by the collaboration with various divisions like Corporate Strategy, Finance, HR and Research in HQ organization in the U.S.
- Project Office Leader, Global Banking Solution at IBM Japan (Jan 2002 - Nov 2006): I was responsible for business development, sales, marketing and project management of Finance industry specific solutions which was created for global banks and credit card companies. Initial role was business development and sales, and upon completion of transactions, my responsibility shifted to program/product management duties including overall business planning, budget & resource management and alliance partnership promotion etc. I led global development project by collaborating with multi-national teams in the U.S., France, Denmark and Thailand etc. as program office leader.
- Client Representative & Solution Sales for Distribution & Financial Services Industries at IBM Japan (Apr 1996 - Dec 2001): Since joined IBM Japan in 1996, I was responsible for direct sales of e-business solutions for Retail and Distribution industry customers in Japan, including e-commerce platform, kiosk terminals and multi-purpose ATMs etc. It included SW, HW, services and OEMs. I successfully deployed those new type of retail solutions in the market. After completion of major e-commerce projects, I decided to move to Financial services industry division in IBM Japan in 2001. I was  responsible for direct sales of e-finance solutions for large Japanese banking customers, like internet & mobile banking, digital CRM and e-stockholder meeting platform etc. Specific responsibilities included not only solution sales, but also solution design, business planning, promotion and closing.

## Education
- Meiji University - Bachelor of Commerce - (Jan 1992 - Dec 1996)

## Sources
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai
- https://www.crnasia.com/news/2026/artificial-intelligence/cognition-establishes-japan-entity-in-first-expansion-into-a
- https://cognition.com/blog/launching-in-japan
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_10-years-ago-today-november-22-2012-the-activity-7000748012834611200-8njl
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/takumi-masai?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAAvZ4bcBJbCHK7W_luZb6IbfDezUPvX7y7g
- https://www.techinasia.com/news/us-ai-startup-cognition-enters-japan-for-asia-debut
- https://shachomeikan.jp/industry_article/4987
- https://ja-jp.newsroom.workday.com/2020-08-25-workday-takumi-masai
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_december-15-2019-is-my-last-day-at-pivotal-activity-6611173320715046912-faGA
- https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000181315.html
- https://www.datadoghq.com/ja/about/latest-news/press-releases/datadog-country-manager-2024-02/
- https://www.weeklybcn.com/journal/news/detail/20260409_214810.html
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_devin-cognition-cognitionaijapan-activity-7523557237286416384-nVt8
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_cognition-ai-japan%E3%81%ABdeployed-engineer%E3%81%8C%E7%B6%9A%E3%80%85%E3%81%A8%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89-activity-7522870559429361664-C1Ho
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_devin-security-20%E6%96%B0%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AA%E8%84%85%E5%A8%81%E7%92%B0%E5%A2%83%E3%81%AB%E5%90%91%E3%81%91%E3%81%A6-devin-activity-7521844285973987328-zKJD
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_ai%E3%81%AB%E3%82%88%E3%82%8B%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E9%96%8B%E7%99%BA%E3%81%AF%E4%BF%A1%E9%A0%BC%E6%80%A7%E3%82%92%E6%8B%85%E4%BF%9D%E3%81%A7%E3%81%8D%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B%E7%AB%8B%E3%81%A1%E3%81%AF%E3%81%A0%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8B%E5%A3%81%E3%81%AB%E6%8C%91%E3%82%80%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%83%BC-activity-7521723387304386561-9pJE
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_merge-tokyo-2026-activity-7519307443043131392-Msk5
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_cognition%E6%9C%AC%E7%95%AA%E7%92%B0%E5%A2%83%E3%81%AE%E9%9A%9C%E5%AE%B3%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%BB%E3%81%A8%E5%AF%BE%E5%BF%9C%E3%82%92%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E5%8C%96%E3%81%99%E3%82%8Bdevin-oncall-activity-7519285000953847808-VGCV
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_%E5%85%88%E6%97%A5%E3%81%BF%E3%81%9A%E3%81%BB%E8%A8%BC%E5%88%B8-it%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97-%E4%B8%8A%E7%B4%9A%E6%8A%80%E8%A1%93%E7%B5%B1%E6%8B%AC%E3%81%AE%E6%9D%89%E8%B0%B7%E6%A7%98%E3%81%A8%E3%83%A1%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%A2%E5%AF%BE%E8%AB%87%E3%81%AE%E6%A9%9F%E4%BC%9A-activity-7519253996566671360-Fqvo
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_cognition-ai-japan%E3%81%AFctc-discover-2026%E3%81%AB%E5%8F%82%E5%8A%A0%E3%81%95%E3%81%9B%E3%81%A6-activity-7516752793790111744-L010
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_natt%E3%81%95%E3%82%93%E3%81%AFcognition-ai-japan%E3%81%AE%E6%9C%80%E5%88%9D%E3%81%AEdeployed-engineer-activity-7516735954263494657-Nqsc
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/takumi-masai_%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%AB%E8%A6%8F%E6%A8%A1%E3%81%A7%E5%B1%95%E9%96%8B%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%82%8Bcognition-devin%E5%BA%83%E5%91%8A%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E9%81%82%E3%81%AB-activity-7516363633627463680-C5Mg


Researched with Autumn (https://www.autumn.ai) from public sources. Updated 2026-11-04. Profile: https://www.autumn.ai/resources/cognition/people/takumi-masai · Everyone at Cognition: https://www.autumn.ai/resources/cognition/people