SmartNews Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

SmartNews has 4 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, operations, and finance.

Driven by a commitment to accessible information, SmartNews delivers quality news to millions globally through advanced machine learning and extensive publisher partnerships, shaping the future of news discovery.

Leadership Roles at SmartNews

  • Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Kaisei Hamamoto
  • Chief Financial Officer - Jin Akiyama
  • Chief Operating Officer - Yi Ren
  • Chief Technology Officer - Haishan Liu
  • Kaisei Hamamoto - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Kaisei Hamamoto, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at SmartNews, architects the overarching corporate strategy and vision. Overseeing global operations, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the company's mission to deliver quality information to millions of users worldwide. This leadership role involves guiding the company's expansion and innovation efforts, leveraging unique machine learning technology and fostering relationships with over 3,000 global publisher partners. By driving strategic initiatives, Kaisei Hamamoto directly impacts the company's market position and growth trajectory. Ultimately, Hamamoto secures the long-term success and operational efficiency of SmartNews, ensuring its continued leadership in the news-discovery sector.
    Kaisei Hamamoto

    Jin Akiyama - Chief Financial Officer

    Jin Akiyama, the Chief Financial Officer at SmartNews, oversees all financial planning, reporting, and capital management. Directing the finance department, the Chief Financial Officer ensures fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation to support the company's growth and innovation initiatives, including its advanced machine learning technology. This vital role involves managing investor relations and securing funding to fuel global expansion and maintain relationships with over 3,000 publisher partners. By providing critical financial insights and guidance, Jin Akiyama directly impacts the company's long-term sustainability and market competitiveness. Akiyama's financial acumen is essential for SmartNews's continued success in delivering quality news to millions of users worldwide.

    Yi Ren - Chief Operating Officer

    Yi Ren, the Chief Operating Officer at SmartNews, manages the day-to-day operational execution and global business scaling. Overseeing cross-functional teams, the Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless integration between technology, content partnerships, and user acquisition efforts, supporting the company's mission to deliver quality information. This leadership position involves optimizing internal processes and driving operational efficiency across all departments, particularly in managing relationships with over 3,000 global publisher partners. By streamlining workflows and enhancing resource allocation, Yi Ren directly contributes to the company's ability to serve millions of users worldwide. Ren's strategic oversight guarantees the smooth functioning and sustained growth of SmartNews's global operations.

    Haishan Liu - Chief Technology Officer

    Haishan Liu, the Chief Technology Officer at SmartNews, directs the development and implementation of the company's core machine learning technology. Overseeing all technological infrastructure, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the scalability and efficiency of the news-discovery platform, supporting millions of global users. This critical role involves driving innovation in AI and data science to enhance content delivery and user experience, directly supporting SmartNews's mission. By managing the engineering teams and technological roadmap, Haishan Liu ensures the platform remains at the forefront of the industry. Liu's leadership guarantees the robust performance and continuous advancement of the technology powering SmartNews's global reach and publisher partnerships.
    Haishan Liu

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SmartNews Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads SmartNews?
    SmartNews is led by Kaisei Hamamoto (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jin Akiyama (Chief Financial Officer) and Yi Ren (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of SmartNews’s executive team?
    The executive team of SmartNews includes leaders such as Kaisei Hamamoto (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Jin Akiyama (Chief Financial Officer), Yi Ren (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does SmartNews have?
    SmartNews has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in SmartNews’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of SmartNews includes roles such as Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer.