DECTRIS Japan Announces Leadership Transition: Leonard Chavas Appointed as Representative Director
A 2-minute read
Dr. Takeyoshi Taguchi, former Representative Director (current Senior Advisor) of DECTRIS Japan
Dr. Leo Chavas, the new Representative Director of DECTRIS Japan
HIMEJI, JAPAN | April 2026 – DECTRIS Japan K.K., a subsidiary of the global leader in Hybrid Photon Counting (HPC) detector technology, DECTRIS Ltd., today announces a change in its executive leadership. Dr. Takeyoshi Taguchi has stepped down as Representative Director, with Dr. Leonard Chavas appointed as his successor to lead the company into its next phase of growth.
A Legacy of Excellence
Since the establishment of DECTRIS Japan in 2021, Dr. Taguchi has been instrumental in transitioning the brand from a third-party distribution model to a direct, customer-centric presence in the region. His leadership solidified DECTRIS’ relationship with major Japanese research institutions, and expanded the company’s reach into the broader Asia-Pacific market.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the kindness and professional support shown to me during my years of office,” said Dr. Taguchi. “It has been an honor to serve this community. I humbly ask our partners to provide Dr. Chavas with the same guidance and support that allowed us to achieve so much together.”
Driving Future Innovation
Dr. Leonard Chavas, who joined DECTRIS Japan as Sales Manager in early 2025, brings over 25 years of experience in structural biology. Having held key leadership positions at prestigious scientific institutes globally, he possesses an understanding of the operational and technical needs of the research community. His appointment signals a continued commitment to deep technical expertise and scientific collaboration.
“I am honored to take on the role of Representative Director as the successor to Dr. Taguchi,” said Leonard Chavas. “While I approach this responsibility with humility, I am fully committed to the continued growth of our company and to ensuring our customers in Japan and beyond have access to the most advanced X-ray and electron detection solutions.”
A Message from Dr. Matthias Schneebeli, CEO of DECTRIS
"We are sincerely grateful to Dr. Takeyoshi Taguchi for his years of service and his role in establishing our presence in Japan. As Dr. Leonard Chavas takes on this new responsibility, we are confident that his extensive background within the scientific community will help us remain a reliable partner for researchers across the region."
A photo from DECTRIS Japan's visit to SPring-8: Dr. Stefan Brandstetter, CCO of DECTRIS; Dr. Nobutaka Shimizu, Life Science Research Infrastructure Group Director at RIKEN SPring-8 Center; Dr. Masaki Yamamoto, Division Director at RIKEN SPring-8 Center, and President of the Japanese Society for Synchrotron Radiation Research; Dr. Leonard Chavas, Representative Director DECTRIS Japan; Dr. Takeyoshi Taguchi, Senior Advisor DECTRIS Japan
A visit to the University of Tokyo: Dr. Stefan Brandstetter, CCO of DECTRIS; Professor Naoya Shibata, Director of Institute of Engineering Innovation University of Tokyo; Dr. Takehito Seki, Assistant Professor Institute of Engineering Innovation University of Tokyo; Dr. Leonard Chavas, Representative Director DECTRIS Japan; Dr. Takeyoshi Taguchi, Senior Advisor DECTRIS Japan
About DECTRIS Japan K.K.
Established in 2021 and headquartered in Himeji, Hyogo, DECTRIS Japan K.K. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DECTRIS Ltd. (Switzerland). The company provides high-performance X-ray and electron detectors that enable scientific breakthroughs in fields ranging from drug discovery to materials science.
Contact:
DECTRIS Japan K.K. Email: info@dectris.com Phone: +81 (0)79 280 9585 Website: www.dectris.com
