A Bimonthly Review of the Mitsubishi Companies and Their People Around the World 2016

October & November

Official Website ■ http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/monitor/back/index.html

The Mitsubishi Monitor is published by the Mitsubishi Public Affairs CommitteeMarunouchi Nakadori Bldg., 2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, JapanPhone: 81-3-5218-8660 Fax: 81-3-5218-8661

©2016 Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee

Volume 30 No.5

For more information about the Mitsubishi companies, see “Mitsubishi Profile” ■ http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/activity/profile.html

Printed in Japan on recycled paper

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＊ The Enikki entries above, when necessary, have been translated into English from the language they were originally written in.

Started in 1990, the Mitsubishi Asian Children’s Enikki Festa is a program that seeks to promote literacy education and to stimulate cultural exchange among children by allowing them to learn about each other through “enikki” (illustrated diaries).

■ http://enikki.mitsubishi.or.jp/e/index_f.html

The Dragon Races Dragon boat races are a long tradition in our nation. They are a beautiful tradition. The races on Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake are especially exciting. This spot reminds us of Vietnam’s heroic legends.

Phan Huong GiangAge 9, GirlSocialist Republic of Viet Nam

11th

Dragon boats are long boats propelled by paddles that were first built in ancient China. Racing between them is said to have originated when local fishermen paddled out to a court official who had waded into a river to commit suicide in protest at corruption after being banished by his king. The fishermen beat drums as they raced to save him from dragons and great fish believed to live on the bottom of the deep river. Later, racing between dragon boats spread to South-east Asia and in modern times has emerged as an international sport.

Dragon Boat Race

In the February/March issue through to the October/November issue of Mitsubishi Monitor in 2016, we shall be featuring some Enikki essays from the 2010-2011 (10th) and 2012-2013 (11th) editions of the Mitsubishi Asian Children’s Enikki Festa which give a sense of the national character and regional characteristics of the countries in which the submitting children live, along with photographs of the scenes portrayed in the Enikki.

©AP/AFLO

Viet Nam

Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Shirakawago is a historic village in Gifu Prefecture where the entire village is deluged by a curtain of

water in early November each year. Shirakawago village is famous for its heavy snowfall landscapes and its illuminated night views in winter. But it is also known for its tradition

of discharging all the fire-hydrants in the village at once in November as a fire-fighting exercise in preparation for the winter when dry air and the use of oil stoves are conducive to fire outbreaks. The gasshozukuri*1 thatched roofs for which the village is also famous can catch fire very easily and so in 1971 the local government recommended that water cannons be installed. Capable of turning through a full 360-degrees, 59 water cannons are currently installed in the village, and the full salvo in November is carried out to check that they are functioning properly. The practice is an indication of how capable the local residents are of responding to a fire outbreak and to their high awareness of the need to conserve the regional community.

Shirakawago: A Tradition of Discharging All The Firehydrants

©JIJI PRESS

©JIJI PRESS

Note 1:Thatched and steep roofs which resemble palms placed together and fingers pointing upward in prayer.

Delivering A Refreshing and

Healing Experience

Concession Granted for Canberra Light Rail Project

Canberra Metro PC Pty Ltd (Canberra Metro), a joint stock

company established between Mitsubishi Corporation (MC),

Pacific Partnerships (Australia), John Holland (Australia) and

Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments (United Kingdom), has

signed an agreement with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Government granting it a concession to undertake Light Rail

Transit (LRT) operations in Canberra under a public-private

partnership (PPP) scheme. The project is being promoted as one

of the ACT Government’s top priorities and forms the first phase

of LRT network development

in Canberra. Through Canberra

Metro, MC will be seeking to

provide a safe and punctual

public transportation service

that is in keeping with

Canberra’s verdant townscape,

that improves convenience for

residents and that stimulates

economic activity in the region.

■

http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2016/ html/0000030228.html

CG image of LRT in operation

Australia

Zeolite Membrane Technology Creates New Japanese Sake Featured On Ise-Shima Summit Menu

Mitsubishi Chemical and Japanese brewer

Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten have developed a

new 30% alcohol sake called “concentration

ZAKU gyoshuku H” using Mitsubishi Chemical’s

KonKer™ zeolite membrane technology to

concentrate flavor, aroma and alcohol content.

“Concentration ZAKU gyoshuku H” is made from

the brewer’s “ZAKU Ho No Tomo” junmai＊1 sake

using KonKer™ technology to remove water

molecules. The process doubles the alcohol

content, flavor and aroma to create a crisptasting

sake. The new sake was on the buffet

menu for delegates at the G7 Ise-

Shima Summit in May as well as being

displayed and offered for tasting at

the Mie Prefecture International Media

Center during the summit.

Front Line

2

News&Products

Yusen Logistics provides

ocean transport of foodstuffs

using “Maxtend” controlled

atmosphere (CA) technology in

reefer containers. CA refers to

the regulation of the atmosphere

composition inside the

container and this is managed

by an external Maxtend unit.

Developed by Mitsubishi

Australia Limited, Maxtend was first offered to customers in 1999

and is already used widely in the import and export of perishable

produce, including avocado, bananas, asparagus and blueberries.

Changing the composition of the atmosphere inside the container

brings a major increase in the time foodstuffs can be kept fresh

compared with systems that control temperature alone. Different

products require different atmosphere compositions to keep them

fresh and this know-how is a part of the Maxtend. The Trans-

Pacific Partnership agreement is due to come into force in the

near future and the demand for the Maxtend

is expected to grow with the increase in

imports and exports of perishable foodstuffs

it will bring.

Front Line

Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd.Est. 1955

Sumitomo Fudosan Shiba-Koen Tower 2-11-1, Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011

Yusen Logistics, with ocean and air freight forwarding and contract logistics as its pillars and a network spanning 42 countries and regions, is meeting the increasingly diverse and sophisticated respects of its customers by developing total logistics solutions. Aiming to be a “world-leading total logistics provider” providing high-quality transportation and logistics solutions. Yusen Logistic continues to fulfill its customers needs while contributing to the sustainable development of society through business activities under the values of “integrity, Innovation and Industry.”

■ http://www.yusen-logistics.com

Japan

Japan

3

Greening of Event Space at Yokohama Landmark Tower

Cover Story

Mitsubishi Estate and Sakata Seed Corporation have reached

agreement on a comprehensive tie-up on greening of the

Yokohama Landmark Tower, using flowers and green plants

to create a more refreshing and invigorating ambience. Under

the agreement, the companies have implemented a greening

strategy embracing the five-story Garden Square atrium that

lies at the center of the Landmark Plaza shopping complex

located in the lower floors of Landmark Tower. The Garden

Square has also been renamed the Sakata Seed Garden Square after Mitsubishi Estate concluded a naming rights deal

for the first time in a facility that it operates.

The new Sakata Seed Garden Square sees a major increase

in the number of cultivated plants decorating the interior.

In addition to ornamental foliage plants, the seasonal rotation

of original varieties of flowers developed by Sakata Seed will

offer visitors to the building a healing area full of flowers and

greenery. The space will also be used throughout the 2016 fiscal

year to stage events relating to agriculture and hor ticulture.

The greening project has been partly funded by a subsidy from

the Yokohama City Environmental Planning Bureau under the

Yokohama Green-Up Plan.

In Yokohama’s futuristic port district Minato Mirai 21, the

26th Japan Flower & Garden Show 2016 (staged by The Japan

Home Garden Association) was held for the first time at the

PACIFICO Yokohama convention center in April this year.

The event is scheduled to return there in 2017 and 2018, while

the 33rd National Urban Greenery Fair Yokohama - Garden

Necklace YOKOHAMA 2017 is to be staged from March

through June in 2017 with the Grand Mall Park in the Minato

Mirai 21 district as one of its main sites. Sakata Seed will

be cooperating in the staging of such events with the aim of

attracting more visitors to the district.

Yokohama Landmark Tower celebrates its 25th anniversary

in 2018, and Mitsubishi Estate and Sakata Seed will continue

to cooperate in promoting the attractiveness of the Minato

Mirai 21 district.

Note 1: Sake made without added alcohol.

Note 1: Impacting Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program

Ceremony at Sakata Seed Garden Square

concentration ZAKU, gyoshuku H

Tasting session

First International KD Bus Operation

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation has launched

the “ROSA” light bus on the Vietnamese market to respond to

increasing market demand for this type of bus. To deliver ROSA

buses to customers as soon as possible, the company has

started production at an assembly plant located in Cu Chi on

the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. GDP in Viet Nam is growing

at a rate on a par with the Philippines, the fastest in Southeast

Asia. This has brought a rapid increase

in demand for light buses for use in

school, hotel, office, factory and tourist

transportation. FUSO has introduced

four ROSA models in Viet Nam to meet

diverse customer needs.

■

http://www.mitsubishi-fuso.com/en/press/160512/160512.html

“ROSA” vehicle in Viet Nam

“ROSA” launch in Viet Nam

Viet Nam

Ethylene gas absorbent used inside container

Bananas and mangos ready for transport in Maxtend CAs. CAs being transported on container ship.

Worldwide

Controlled Atmosphere Containers Transform Perishable Foodstuff Transportation

Front panel of Maxtend. Nitrogen gas is introduced into the container through the valve before sailing and the controller regulates the composition of the internal atmosphere.

New Biped Robot Climbs Vertical Ladder 12x Faster/Avoids Falling

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Professor

Atsuo Takanishi of the Faculty of Science

and Engineering and Assistant Professor

Kenji Hashimoto of the Waseda Institute

of Advanced Study have created an

algorithm that enables a biped robot to

climb up and down a ladder 12 times

faster than its predecessor. Their work

is part of the Tough Robot Challenge in

the ImPACT＊1 Program led by Japan’s

Council of Science, Technology and

Innovation. The new 2-point foot contact

algorithm allows the robot to move two

limbs at a time and replaces the previous

one which used a 3-point foot contact

mechanism to move one limb at a time.

The new algorithm makes it possible for

biped robots to negotiate vertical ladders

in carrying out maintenance tasks and

in operating to prevent disasters in

dilapidated infrastructures and factories.

Japan

Standing on two legs

2-point foot contact bipedal robot negotiating ladder

valve controller

valve CO2 sensor

Global Spotlight focuses on employees from the Mitsubishi companies who are excelling in their respective fields around the world. In each issue we will get to know different employees, who will tell us about their hometowns, businesses, culture, and pastimes.

4 5

GlobalSpotlight

Myanm

arfrom

Ms Su Pyae NyeinOfficer

Ms Zin Hlaing WaiDeputy Manager

Mitsubishi CorporationYangon Branch

Mitsubishi Corporation Yangon Branch

“A Work of Art Is A Scream of Freedom” – Christo, Bulgarian artist By Ms Su Pyae Nyein

Bermuda - The Tiny Island with Big Ideas - Industry Innovation -

In 2000 Tokio Millennium Re AG (TMR) was founded in Bermuda by our parent Tokio Marine Nichido Fire

to diversify its domestic insurance business into international reinsurance. Today, TMR has grown into

a global reinsurer headquartered in Switzerland, employing over 180 employees from over 30 countries,

mainly from North America, Europe and Asia. TMR offers reinsurance and capital market solutions to

clients around the world from its five offices in Switzerland, Bermuda, USA, UK, and Australia, with a

diverse employee base. In eight rewarding years at TMR, I was privileged to lead the expansion of our

business with capital markets including the incorporation of our subsidiaries, Tokio Solution Management

Ltd. and Shima Reinsurance Ltd. in 2012. I was CEO of Tokio Solution until January, when I became Head

of the Bermuda branch, overseeing the branch and Tokio Solution. The Bermuda branch offers a strong

team culture where collaboration and innovation are essential to our success.

Bermuda is also known for business innovation and collaboration. Bermuda is recognized as having a

well-developed regulatory regime for reinsurance that

has been recently granted Solvency II equivalency

by the EU. Bermuda’s reinsurance industry dates

to 1940s, and today is the largest single non-

governmental source of GDP on the island. Bermuda

is home to 20 reinsurers and insurers that directly

employ over 1500 people on the island and nearly

39,000 globally. The captive insurance concept

was developed in Bermuda and we are the leading

domicile for insurance linked securities.

Celebrating Diversity and Accomplishments -

We like to honor our Japanese roots whenever we can and

cultivate a unique and fun way to celebrate our successes.

My colleague Tsuyoshi Harigai and I located a beautiful 60-year-

old Taiko drum in Kyoto – we had to have it! It blends our

competitive spirit with the Japanese history of the Taiko as a call to rally the troops to impress the enemy.

Our Taiko drum has also become a cherished feature at community and corporate events.

In addition to TMR’s Japanese heritage, the Bermuda branch is steeped in

rich island culture, among lush greens, cerulean seas and miles of pristine pink

beaches. Described as a “place of eternal spring” by Princess Louise and

“Paradise” by Mark Twain, the island is well known for charming pastel-painted,

white-roofed houses, its flora and fauna, and a spectacular coral reef.

Bermuda is tiny but has been a pioneer in areas of commerce and life.

Despite its small size, approximately 21 square miles,

the island has made a big impression worldwide. Bermuda

greatly influenced ocean sailing with the development of the

Bermuda rig, the now ubiquitous configuration in modern

sailboats for recreation and racing. Duly, Bermuda will set

the scene for the 35th America’s Cup in 2017, where we’ll be

cheering on Japanese Team in their bid for the Cup.

from Bermuda

Ms Kathleen FariesHead of Bermuda

Tokio Millennium Re AGA group company ofTokio Marine Nichido Fire Insurance

©Bridgeman Images/PPS

Trapped for over 5 decades under repressive military rules and state censorship, Myanmar contemporary

artist could not hold art exhibitions or performances without approval from the censorship board. So, it was

such a shame for artists not able to show off talent and techniques.

Currently, it is exciting to see how the new government has brought changes to Myanmar contemporary

art. Artists now have more freedom to let loose their unlimited creativity unlike in the old days. Without

boundary or censorship, artworks are now more colorful and meaningful. Artists do not hesitate to

illustrate their vision, idea and inspiration, for example, a collection of portraits of Gen. Aung San, Burma’s

independence leader, which was strongly censored under the military government rules is hanging on the

wall of the gallery at the art exhibition in front of thousands of visitors locally or internationally.

Nowadays, a number of art galleries are also curating more art exhibitions.

Artists are also considering the contemporary art in l ine with business, which will

lead to the revolutionary of Myanmar art market. They will not let their artworks to

be undervalued in the dealer’s hands like in the old days since the country is more

open to the outside world. Our young generations will also have

an opportunity to learn fine arts and arts career management

from degree level to doctorate level.

All in all, it cannot be denied that the transparency and

development of Myanmar contemporary arts affect the community

and society for the better way. Therefore, I believe that Myanmar

contemporary arts should be promoted by the government.

Supporting Flood Victims By Ms Zin Hlaing Wai

Days offs are perfect moments for doing things that you have less time

to do during weekdays. Especially, life would be very enjoyable if people

spend the time off in putting all their efforts in helping people.

Myanmar is one of the developing countries, which still has more efforts

in rehabilitating people in disaster areas. As the new government is trying to develop a concrete system for

this task, it reversely encourages its citizens to work cooperatively in giving voluntary service to the public.

There are tons of requirement in our country but it is encouraging knowing that over 1000 volunteer groups

currently are working in finding and rescuing victims of natural disasters.

We are one of them in which are working closely with our MC colleagues and friends founded as a voluntary

group. It regularly organizes members in collecting money every month as fund raising for continual support.

Funds are being operated to help people in disaster area by offering basic necessities such as, water, food,

clothing, temporary shelter and medical aid.

As there have been several places of flood hit areas in the country as

a result of bad weather, it is sure there will also be more efforts in fighting

against natural disaster in the future. Hopefully, the new government and

voluntary groups are working hand in hand more effectively with a proper

system in reacting to continue disasters relief services throughout Myanmar.

Big Data Reduces Sea Vessel CO2 Emissions In fiscal 2015 NYK achieved a 14.3 percent reduction in

fleet CO2 emissions. This exceeded the goal established

in 2011 in the company’s “More Than Shipping 2013”

mid-term management plan that called for a 10 percent

reduction by fiscal 2015 in the CO2 emission rate per unit of

transportation＊1 compared with the rate recorded in 2010.

This accomplishment is the result of cooperative efforts

by shipowners, ship-

management companies,

crews, and NYK in

utilizing Big Data to

reduce fuel consumption.

NYK has worked

to contribute to the

protection of the global

environment and the

creation of sustainable

societies by managing environmental risks and reaching

an optimal balance between environment and economy,

as called for in the company’s environmental management

vision established in March 2005.

Green Diamonds

6 7

Green Diamonds highlights the ongoing efforts of Mitsubishi companies to foster a greener, more sustainable planet and brighter, more vibrant communities through wide-ranging environmental and social initiatives.

Sharing Tokyo’s Solid Waste Management Knowhow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and group company Mitsubishi

Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering co-

hosted a forum on large city solid waste management in

Yangon, Myanmar, a country undergoing robust economic

development. The forum was the fourth and final in a series

sharing Tokyo’s expertise in a field that is of growing social

concern in Myanmar. The forum, hosted jointly by the MHI

Group and Myanmar Engineering Society as one of MHI’s

CSR activities, looked at the lessons to be learnt from

Tokyo’s experience in solid waste treatment, including its

history, technology, and laws and regulations, and was

aimed at contractors in Myanmar. The series of forums,

which started in September last year, was well received

and attracted 734 participants in total.

Myanmar

IoT Supports Community-wide Energy Saving, More Pleasant Daily Life

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new energy management

system (EMS) called DIAPLANET TOWNEMS that utilizes

the IoT,＊1 the Cloud＊2 and other resources to reduce energy

usage in a wide range of applications connected to the local

grid as well as to make daily life safer and more comfortable

in keeping with community needs. Making the television the

control center for household EMS services, DIAPLANET

TOWNEMS provides an environment that encourages all

family members to participate in energy management.

The menu-based system provides a unified service

platform matched to

community needs and

growth that allows

users to select natural

disaster, traffic or other

regional information for

display on the screen,

as well as to reserve public facilities or view electronic

community notices. The service is to be launched as part

of the ZUTTOCITY redevelopment project (Amagasaki City,

Hyogo Prefecture) due for completion in March 2018.

Japan

DIAPLANT TOWNEMS service schematic

Digital signage screen impression

Aries Leader. Oceangoing car carrier fitted with latest energy saving technology.

NYK Blue Jay. 14,000 TEU container ship boasts industry-leading fuel economy.

Note 1: Environmental load unit. NYK uses CO2 per ton of freight moved one kilometer.

Note 1: Internet of Things: network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.

Note 2 : A kind of Internet-based computing that provides shared processing resources and data to computers and other devices on demand.

■ http://www.nyk.com/english/release/4208/004335.html

■ http://www.mhi-global.com/news/story/1606101990.html

Japan

Cooperating with Volunteer Language Aide Project

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has stated in its

Tokyo Long Term Vision its intention to recruit volunteer

language aides to make visitors from all over

the world feel more welcome and comfortable

in the nation’s capital. This prompted Tokio

Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance(TMNF) to

work with the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural

Affairs and look at how private companies

could cooperate in the education and training

of volunteer language aides. As a result,

TMNF has decided to introduce a series of

lectures on volunteering as part of their new

employee training. The role of the volunteer

language aides is to offer help to foreign

visitors they find around town who seem to

be in difficulty, using simple foreign phrases

to give directions to places they are looking

for or to help them in other ways. TMNF becomes the

first private enterprise to cooperate with the Tokyo

Government in this project and will take this oppor tunity

to further its promotion of activities that are rooted in and

that contribute to the local community.

Japan