Chinese search engine Baidu.com (BIDU) has appointed Toshikazu Inoue as president of the company's Japanese subsidiary.

Toshikazu Inoue joins Baidu from Yahoo Japan, where he worked for almost four years. His last post there was vice president of search business, responsible for product research and development. In that role, he oversaw all product development at Yahoo Japan. Prior to Yahoo Japan, he worked for the web portal Excite Japan as chief technology officer.

"We are very pleased to have Toshikazu Inoue joining us as President of Baidu Japan," said Robin Li, Baidu's chairman and chief executive officer. "Mr. Inoue is recognized across Asia as a pioneer in the Japanese Internet search market. He joins Baidu with substantial international experience, an effective management style and a deep understanding of technology, products and end users in the Japanese Internet search market. Under Mr. Inoue's leadership, we expect Baidu Japan will attract new talent, advance product and service development, and steadily improve local user experience."

Inoue holds a master's degree in electronic engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Tokyo, Japan and a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering from Japan's Sophia University.