JIRO Kamiharako, former manager of the Higashiyama Prince Hotel, has been appointed general manager of Nihon Harmony Resorts.
A representative of Japan in the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, Kamiharako was born in Sapporo and has lived in Niseko for the past nine years.
NHR is a shareholder in and manager of the Niseko United’s Hanazono Resort, which sits alongside Grand Hirafu.
NHR president Colin Hackworth said Kamiharako was a welcome addition to the company.
"He is a respected elite sportsman and has a deep understanding of the mountains and why we are all here," he said.
"Jiro-san also has a terrific local following, which I think is important. If Harmony is to survive and prosper over the long term, it must grow as a Japanese business fully integrated with the local and wider Japanese business communities. I believe he can continue that process for us and further position Harmony for growth in the future."