2026年3月3日，日本百貨業者Sogo & Seibu正式宣布一項重要人事變動：劉勁將自2026年4月起升任集團執行長（CEO）。這項任命被視為公司在新經營體制下的重要一步，也引起日本零售業界的高度關注。

在接班安排方面，劉勁原本擔任SOGO・西武的代表取締役（代表董事）。此次升任CEO，將接替現任社長Hiroto Taguchi。田口廣人未來則會轉任會長職務，形成新的領導架構。

從個人背景來看，劉勁現年約41歲，出生於中國內蒙古自治區，之後長期在東京發展職涯。他同時也是美國投資公司Fortress Investment Group日本法人的高層幹部，而該公司正是SOGO・西武目前的母公司。這樣的背景使他在零售經營與資本運作兩方面都具有一定經驗。

在戰略層面上，這項任命具有象徵意義。日本大型百貨公司過去多由本土出身的經營者領導，而劉勁的上任，被視為日本百貨業首次由中國出身的專業經理人掌舵。未來他的主要任務之一，是推動旗下核心門店的大規模改革與翻新，特別是東京代表性店鋪Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store。同時，公司也計畫加強與家電零售商Yodobashi Camera的戰略合作，以重新塑造品牌定位並提升商場競爭力。

這次人事調整也與公司近年的股權變化密切相關。SOGO・西武原本隸屬於 Seven & i Holdings，也就是便利商店品牌7‑Eleven的母公司。不過在2023年9月，該百貨業務被出售給Fortress Investment Group。自此之後，公司的經營方向逐漸轉向由投資基金主導的重整與效率提升策略，而此次CEO的更替，也被外界視為這一轉型過程中的關鍵一步。

On March 3, 2026, the Japanese department store operator Sogo & Seibu officially announced a major leadership change: Jin Liu will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting in April 2026. The appointment has attracted significant attention within Japan’s retail industry and is seen as an important step in the company’s evolving management structure.

Regarding the succession plan, Liu previously served as a Representative Director of Sogo & Seibu. In his new role as CEO, he will succeed the current president, Hiroto Taguchi, who will transition to the position of chairman. This change will establish a new leadership framework for the company.

In terms of background, Liu is about 41 years old and was born in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region before building his career in Tokyo. He is also a senior executive at the Japanese subsidiary of the U.S. investment firm Fortress Investment Group, which is currently the parent company of Sogo & Seibu. His professional experience combines both retail management and investment expertise.

Strategically, the appointment carries symbolic significance. Major Japanese department stores have traditionally been led by domestic executives, and Liu’s promotion marks the first time a large Japanese department store group will be headed by a professional manager of Chinese origin. One of his key responsibilities will be overseeing large-scale renovations and restructuring of flagship stores, particularly the prominent Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store. The company also plans to strengthen its strategic collaboration with electronics retailer Yodobashi Camera in order to reshape its brand positioning and enhance the competitiveness of its retail spaces.

This leadership change is also closely linked to the company’s recent ownership transition. Sogo & Seibu was previously part of Seven & i Holdings, the parent company of the convenience store brand 7-Eleven. However, in September 2023, the department store business was sold to Fortress Investment Group. Since then, the company’s strategy has increasingly shifted toward restructuring and efficiency improvements under an investment fund–led management model, and Liu’s appointment is widely viewed as a key step in this transformation.