The latest move in the restructuring process that the Japanese brand is going through, which started more than a year ago, will most likely not stop with the departure of Kuwata, who will become part of HRC's car division.
The executive will remain in his post until 1 April, when the Japanese corporate calendar is reset.
Kuwata will be replaced by Taichi Honda, who comes from the off-road department and had recently taken charge of the team that competed in the Dakar Rally.
Although Honda is at pains to stress that this move is not a response to the poor results of its MotoGP teams in recent years, it is difficult to believe that the sporting slump, coupled with the departure of Marc Marquez, had no influence on the decision.
Honda's last victory was achieved by Alex Rins at the United States Grand Prix last year, before the Spaniard left for Yamaha, and it finished last in the constructors' table in 2023 with 11 fewer points than its Japanese rival despite having twice as many bikes.
Marquez secured the second of only two podiums celebrated in 2023 by HRC riders at Motegi, prior to announcing his departure to Gresini Ducati.
Kuwata has been associated with the MotoGP project since 2010, when he joined as a development strategy engineer, moving in 2016 to the role of general manager of all racing divisions.
Source: Autosport