Kobayashi was born in London on April 25, 1933 and graduated with a BA from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University in 1956, and earned his MBA at Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania.

In 1958, he joined Fuji Photo Film, now Fujifilm Corporation, and transferred to Fuji Xerox in 1963. After assuming general manager of planning as well as board director and executive general manager of sales, he was named president and CEO in 1978 at the age of 44.

In 1992, he took on the role of chairman and CEO, and served as chairman of the board from 2004, followed by chief corporate advisor from 2006. He is currently 75 years of age.

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