Makiko Tsumura Elected as WDO President-Elect
Makiko Tsumura, Director of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP), was elected as the next President-Elect of the World Design Organization (WDO) at the General Assembly held in London on September 11, 2025.
This marks the first time in 50 years for a Japanese (since Kenji Ekuan, 1975–1977) and the first time ever for an Asian woman to assume this position. Tsumura will serve as President-Elect for the next two years, and will assume the Presidency at the next General Assembly in Seoul in 2027.
The WDO Board of Directors is composed of 11 representatives from member organizations worldwide, including one President, one President-Elect, and nine Board Members. The term of office is two years. The President-Elect, elected by vote of the membership, automatically becomes President after completing the two-year term. From Japan, Kenji Ekuan, industrial designer and founder of GK Design Group, previously served as WDO President from 1975 to 1977.
The Japan Institute of Design Promotion will continue to support the activities of WDO.
About Makiko Tsumura
Makiko Tsumura is Director of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP). She holds a B.A. in Literature from Keio University (1990) and a B.A. in Art and Cultural Studies from Musashino Art University (2015).
Since joining JDP in 2010, she has expanded international collaboration through the Good Design Award with partners in India, China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, Mexico, and Indonesia. From 2017, she oversaw the entire Good Design Award program, and since 2021, she has served in her current position as Director.
She has played a key role in launching new initiatives in human resource development and research programs to further promote design. Tsumura served on the WDO Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023 and was Secretary General of the World Design Congress Tokyo 2023.
