To accelerate the research, development, and social implementation of AI and other advanced technologies, and to strengthen execution and improve governance, Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) has transitioned to a new management structure, which includes changes to executive titles, effective November 26, 2025.

• Toru Nishikawa
  New position: Chairman
  Old position: Chief Executive Officer
• Daisuke Okanohara
  New position: Chief Executive Officer
  Old position: Chief Technology Officer
• Naoto Ono
  New position: Chief Operating Officer and Division President of Corporate Planning
  Old position: Chief Technology Officer

Nishikawa, co-founder and former CEO, will now serve as Chairman of the Board. His new responsibilities will include building relationships with diverse stakeholders, maintaining PFN's corporate culture and core values from a mid- to long-term perspective, developing human resources, and driving sustainable growth through new value creation.

Okanohara, the other co-founder and new CEO, previously led technical strategy, R&D, and commercialization as the Chief Technology Officer. Leveraging his extensive technical expertise and hands-on experience, Okanohara will take on the role of the company’s top management for appropriate and timely decisions in the rapidly evolving AI domain, and will be responsible for accelerating PFN's technological development and enhancing customer value.

Comment from Toru Nishikawa, Chairman:

Since co-founding Preferred Infrastructure with Daisuke Okanohara in 2006, we have spent nearly two decades leading the company together. While we have continued to grow by complementing each other’s roles with flexibility, we have now restructured our management team to further advance PFN’s development. Under this new structure, I will take on the role of Chairman, focusing on mid- to long-term strategy, while Daisuke, as CEO, will lead technology development and social implementation. As Chairman, I will strengthen PFN’s governance and leverage both internal and external networks to establish a structure that enables agile and effective decision-making, even in times of rapid change. Guided by PFN’s value of “Respect & Unite,” I will continue to work closely with every member of our team to create new technological value and build a company that leads the world through innovation.

Comment from Daisuke Okanohara, Chief Executive Officer:

I am honored to assume the role of CEO. Guided by PFN’s mission — “Make the real world computable and create the future together” — I will focus on the following three priorities. First, we will deliver real, measurable results in industrial and societal settings and ensure that our technologies are implemented as meaningful value in society. Second, we will build a strong team where people with diverse backgrounds respect one another, collaborate, and take on ambitious challenges together. Third, we will lead the global evolution driven by AI and deliver the best customer experiences. With the spirit of “Learn or Die”, we will continue to learn relentlessly and accumulate experience and improvements directly in the field, while taking on the challenge of growing each area of our business in parallel—from AI chips and computing infrastructure to generative AI foundation models, solutions, and products.

In the new management structure, Naoto Ono has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and will support the organization as a member of the executive team responsible for planning and executing company-wide business strategy.

Going forward, PFN will continue to strengthen its organizational capabilities in line with the company’s growth and enhance its execution capacity, while leveraging the technological and research strengths that define PFN to contribute to society.

Naoto Ono Biography
Naoto Ono joined Preferred Networks (PFN) in April 2025 as Division President of Corporate Planning and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in November 2025. Prior to PFN, he led business development for the Asia-Pacific region at BCG Digital Ventures (now BCGX) beginning in 2020, where he oversaw new business creation, digital transformation, and AI initiatives for global clients. In 2014, he joined Mercari during its early founding stage, where he established the Business Development division and, as Head of Business Development, launched multiple services and played a major role in the company’s IPO. Before Mercari, Ono joined Amazon Japan in 2011 as a Senior Product Manager, where he led the launch and growth of several products, including Prime Student. Earlier in his career, he held various roles at NTT DOCOMO in the International Business, Corporate Strategy, and Investor Relations divisions. Ono holds an MBA earned in the United States and is a graduate of Waseda University (1999).