Updated: HubSpot's GM for Japan resigns

HubSpot’s general manager for Japan, Yuri Akahira, is understood to have resigned after six months in the role. Akahira and HubSpot did not issue official statements on the move at the time of reporting. However, Campaign subsequently obtained an email that HubSpot issued to partner agencies and customers stating that Ryan Meadows, principal sales manager, will serve as interim general manager. Meadows has been with HubSpot since 2011.

In the email, HubSpot apologises for confusion caused by the management of Akahira’s departure and states that it views Japan as a key market for inbound marketing growth.

Akahira joined HubSpot upon launch in Japan from Meltwater, where she was Japan managing director, in June 2016. The reason for her resignation is not known.

HubSpot has a staff of 14 in Japan. Its clients operate predominantly in the B2B tech space. It competes with companies such as Marketo and Pardot. Prior to launching an official presence in Japan, it operated via a total of 16 partners such as 24-7, which recently became the company’s first ‘Diamond Partner’ in Asia.

Speaking to Campaign just prior to her departure, Akahira said that Japan is behind the curve in terms of understanding of inbound marketing, and digital marketing in general, especially among small and midsize businesses (SMB), which are HubSpot’s core clients.

Akahira is a graduate of the University of Oregon and helped establish Meltwater in Japan in 2008.

This article was updated on 23 January 2016.