Yoshiki Kimura: Driving Fujifilm’s Bold Legacy of Innovation and Equity in Cancer Care

Cancer is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. With nearly one in five people developing the disease at some point in their lives, it’s a reality that touches us all—either directly or through someone we love. Under the leadership of Yoshiki Kimura, Fujifilm is not only advancing innovation in detection and treatment, but also championing a critical piece of the cancer care story: equity—ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can benefit from these life-saving advances.

At the heart of Fujifilm’s bold mission to improve cancer care and access is Yoshiki Kimura, a leader whose global journey reflects not only a deep understanding of the company’s heritage but also a clear vision for its future.

Yoshiki Kimura: A Global Leader Shaping a Human-Centered Mission

Appointed in April 2023 as President and Managing Director of Fujifilm Europe GmbH, Yoshiki Kimura’s leadership represents a blend of tradition and transformation. Since joining Fujifilm in 1986, Yoshi—as he is fondly known—has held a wide range of roles across the globe, starting in Recording Media and Imaging, and moving through key positions in sales and marketing.

His path has taken him from Japan to The Netherlands, Germany, and later to Italy and France—where he led teams through some of the most challenging periods in recent history, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis. These experiences shaped not only his leadership style but also his deep empathy for people and communities navigating uncertain times.

Now, leading Fujifilm’s operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Kimura’s vision is firmly rooted in expanding the company’s presence and driving innovation that truly serves human health. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: Innovation must be meaningful, and progress must be shared.

Photo from uicc.org

A Legacy of Innovation in Cancer Detection and Diagnosis

2025 marks the 130th anniversary of the discovery of the X-ray—a breakthrough that revolutionized medicine. Since launching its first X-ray film in the 1930s, Fujifilm has been part of that story, delivering pioneering imaging solutions that continue to shape cancer diagnostics today.

Under Kimura’s leadership, the company’s commitment to early detection and diagnostic excellence remains stronger than ever. Fujifilm provides cutting-edge tools—from digital mammography systems for breast cancer screening to AI-powered diagnostics for colorectal, lung, gastrointestinal, and liver cancers. These tools empower clinicians with reliable insights, helping patients make decisions with confidence.

Kimura’s global perspective has been crucial in advancing these technologies across different health systems and geographies—adapting innovation to meet real-world needs.

Photo from Yoshiki Kimura/Linkedin

Equity at the Core: Transforming Access to Cancer Care

For Kimura, innovation must go hand in hand with equity. Around the world, nearly half the population lacks access to essential healthcare—including cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. That’s a challenge Kimura is determined to address.

One of the boldest initiatives in this direction is NURA—a network of AI-powered health screening centers launched by Fujifilm in 2021. Located in India, Mongolia, Vietnam, and the UAE, these centers bring advanced cancer and lifestyle disease screenings to underserved populations. By combining high-quality medical imaging with expert clinical interpretation, NURA makes early detection more accessible and efficient.

The goal? To scale NURA to 100 locations by 2030, creating a global web of early intervention that can transform outcomes for millions. It’s a vision Kimura fully champions—grounded in the belief that where you live should not determine whether you live.

Partnering for Global Impact

Fujifilm’s dedication to equity also extends to supporting the development of new cancer therapies. The company is a trusted manufacturing and development partner, providing essential raw materials like reagents and cell culture media—vital to the pharmaceutical industry’s pipeline of new treatments.

Kimura sees this as an extension of Fujifilm’s purpose: not just to innovate, but to enable innovation in others—to help bring life-saving therapies to patients faster, and more affordably.

In line with this mission, Fujifilm is also proud to be a Visionary Partner for World Cancer Day from 2025 to 2027. The theme, “United by Unique“, mirrors Kimura’s own approach to leadership—recognizing that each cancer journey is different, but all deserve dignity, hope, and personalized care.

Looking Ahead: A Legacy Carried Forward

Yoshiki Kimura’s leadership is a testament to what’s possible when deep industry experience meets a global, human-centered mindset. As Fujifilm continues to build on nearly a century of medical innovation, it does so with a renewed commitment to equity, empathy, and excellence—values that Kimura lives every day.

The future of cancer care will be shaped by those who dare to combine technology with compassion, and ambition with accountability. In that future, under Kimura’s guidance, Fujifilm is not just imagining progress—it’s delivering it.

Because cancer knows no borders. And neither should care.

Let’s shape the future of cancer care—together.
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