Kenji Tsuchikawa, 63, was appointed president and chief executive officer of the Japan Racing Association effective Sept. 1. He joined the JRA in 1968 as a veterinary surgeon.
After serving as general manager of the stewards department and general manager of the race planning department, Tsuchikawa was appointed a director of the JRA in 1999. He became executive director in 2003 and executive vice president in 2004.
Tsuchikawa is the first president in the history of the JRA organization to have risen through the organization's ranks, according to a JRA release.
“The JRA is now in the midst of a time for change with a new horse racing law in force which newly establishes the board of governors within our association,” Tsuchikawa said in a statement. “I am very much honored and at the same time feeling tense to be appointed at such an important time for our industry.
“With the motto of, ‘No racing without support of fans and customers,’ I will exert myself with all my heart for the sake of our sport.”