Christopher Yang is group vice president of Business Development and deputy general counsel of Legal at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). He also serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Toyota Connected North America (TCNA).

In his role leading the Business Development division, Yang is responsible for the development of TMNA’s portfolio of new business ventures, alliances, and partnerships in the areas of EV Charging, battery lifecycle (4R), hydrogen fuel cell, flying mobility and IP monetization. He is currently leading the creation of Toyota’s EV charging and battery lifecycle ecosystem for Toyota’s lineup of new electrified vehicles. As deputy general counsel of TMNA, Yang leads the transactional legal practice at TMNA and provides executive leadership and counsel on global legal matters that involve Toyota entities around the world.

TCNA serves as Toyota’s data science, software and innovation hub connecting vehicles, customers and businesses through connected solutions. Yang leads business operations for TCNA, including corporate planning, business management, agile operations, corporate communications and human resources, and serves on its Board of Directors. Previously, Yang served TCNA’s first general counsel, where he successfully launched the Toyota Connected brand and business in North America, Europe, and India, and led a global Toyota Connected legal team of over 20 professionals.

Yang is on the Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum and a council leader of the U.S.-Japan Council. Additionally, he serves as the executive sponsor of Toyota Asian American Society in Alliance (TAASiA).

Prior to joining Toyota in 2011, Yang worked at the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions, securities, and complex corporate transactions, including a secondment at General Electric Japan.

Yang earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with high distinction from the University of California, Berkeley and was elected Phi Beta Kappa in 2000, and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2003.

Yang has been a devoted practitioner of the martial art of kendo for over 35 years and holds a 7^th degree black belt. Yang was a member of the U.S. National Kendo Team for 18 years, has placed second twice (2006 and 2009) and placed third three times (2003, 2012, 2015) at the World Kendo Team Championships, and is the former U.S. National Men’s Kendo Champion (2005).

• Add to Cart
• Print
• Convert to PDF