A Bimonthly Review of the Mitsubishi Companies and Their People Around the World 2015-2016

December & January

At the Forefront of Steel Manufacturing

The Japanese bedeck their homes with a variety of New Year decorations just after Christmas. The kadomatsu decorate gates and front doors, and are considered the most important of all New Year decorations. They differ in their design from region to region but in general they have a central element of three cut bamboo stems around which are arranged pine branches, with everything being wrapped at the bottom with rice straw shaped like a flower pot. From a forest conservation standpoint, however, in recent years many local authorities distribute posters or offer a service enabling people to download a kadomatsu image for printing out. And

for those who, because their residential conditions do not allow the use of large kadomatsu, some

shops offer kadomatsu in a flower arrangement form. Whatever shape they may take, however, it is the custom not to forget to remove the kadomatsu once matsu-no-uchi1 has passed.

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

©2015 Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee

Volume 29 No.6

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

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

Printed in Japan on recycled paper

We want your feedback! ■ http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/talk/form.html

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

The Dragon Boat RacesDragon 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 Giang Age 9, GirlSocialist Republic of Viet Nam

We are playing break the pinata in the garden.The pinata, a pot filled with sweets, is hanging from a tree limb.I am blindfolded and am trying to break the pot with a stick. My friends are teasing me in good spirits.

Manaswi BudhathokiAge 10, GirlFederal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Grand Prix Winners 2012-2013

Kadomatsu New Year Decorations Keeping in Step with the Times

Note 1: The period for putting kadomatsu on display. Originally it was from January 1 to 15 but the period differs depending on the region of Japan.

photo: Kenji Hashimoto / AFLO

photo: Mitsutoshi Kimura

/ AFLO

©OKAYAMA CITY

Commercial Oil Production Gets Underway at Ungani Field in Western Australia

Mitsubishi Corporation

(MC) and Buru Energy

Limited have been working

together in the exploration

and development of onshore

oil and gas in the Canning

Super Basin, located in the

Kimberley region of Western

Australia. This marks the

first time for a Japanese company to commence commercial

onshore oil production in WA. Oil produced from the Ungani fields

is of very high quality, including its notably low sulfur content, and

stable demand for it is expected in Asia and Oceania. The joint

venture plans to expand sales to oil refiners mainly in Southeast

Asia through MC group network members such as Petro-

Diamond Singapore (Pte) Ltd and Diamond Tanker Pte. Ltd.

Mitsubishi Plastics group has

been expanding its advanced

hybrid greenhouse businesses

overseas. The group’s hybrid

greenhouses combine two systems:

Nae-Terrace™, a closed seedling

growth system utilizing artificial light;

and Napperland™, a system for

hydroponic cultivation for leaf vegetables. Unaffected by the weather

or soil conditions, they enable planned production of seedlings,

stabilization of quality and steady production by controlling

temperature, light, culture solutions and carbon dioxide. The

vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides in the system. In

May 2014, the group established a sales base of hybrid greenhouse

systems in China.Then it started to expand the agricultural

businesses in Australia. In July 2014, the group established KAITEKI

Fresh Australia Pty Ltd in Victoria, Australia, which produces and

sells vegetables grown in the hybrid greenhouse. Agricultural

production in Australia faces challenges due to droughts and

serious water shortages, and this system is less water-intensive

than traditional methods. The Australian company began selling leaf

vegetables called ecoLEAF™ in the autumn of 2015 and plans to

build the brand.

All-new Pajero Sport Mid-size SUV Makes World Debut in Thailand

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s (MMC) all-new Pajero Sport

made its world premiere in August 2015 in Thailand, where it is

produced at Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd. It is the first

full redesign of the Pajero Sport mid-size SUV in seven years.

A full-feature off-road SUV, the all-new Pajero Sport brings with

it a refined and high-quality exterior design, a comfortable interior,

high-quality vehicle performance, environmental performance on a

par with the best in its class, and comprehensive advanced safety

features. Sales started in Thailand in the fall, and MMC plans

to introduce the all-new Pajero Sport sequentially in Australia,

the ASEAN nations, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and

Russia, ultimately selling the new model in some 90 countries.

2

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have

signed a contract with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for

the construction of a large-scale hot-strip rolling mill in India with a

production capacity of 3 million tons per annum. The rolling facility

will be built at the Rourkela Steel Plant, located in the eastern

state of Odisha (Orissa). The plant is to produce a wide range

of steels, including high-quality grades for use in the automotive

and household appliance industry, as well as API1 grades. The

contract is valued at approximately 50 billion yen and the plant is

scheduled to start operating from the beginning of 2018.

MC and L&T will serve as contractors for the project, with

MC undertaking project management. Mitsubishi Heavy

Industries group member company Primetals Technologies

(PT) will execute the designing and engineering of the entire

plant and will supply the main mechanical equipment. Hitachi

Ltd will design, engineer and supply electrical equipment and the

automation system. Overall project execution will be supported

by Mitsubishi Corporation Machinery, Inc.

Although MC has a wealth of experience with steel plants

worldwide, this is its first full turnkey2 steel plant project in India.

Factors leading to SAIL’s choice were the reputation MC, PT

and Hitachi have in executing such projects globally; PT’s

proposed technology for finishing rolling equipment; Hitachi’s

advanced electrical control systems for rolling mills; and the

tie-up with local partner L&T, which has vast experience in plant

engineering and construction in India.

India produced approximately 90 million tons of crude steel

in 2014, and the Ministry of Steel plans to expand that to 300

million tons by 2025. MC will

use this project as a platform

to explore opportunities for

further engagement in India’s

steel industry.

News&Products

Hot-Strip Rolling Mill Orderfrom SAIL of India

Cover Story

Thailand

Australia

Australia

China

■

http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2015/html/0000028309.html■

http://www.primetals.com/en/PressAndMedia/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=29

■

http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2015/html/0000028122.html

The all-new Pajero Sport

■

http://www.mitsubishi-fuso.com/en/press/150623/150623.html

■

http://www.mpi.co.jp/english/news/201507170792.html

■

http://www.mpi.co.jp/english/news/201407030720.html

FUSO Trucks Launched in Trinidad and Tobago and Cambodia

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has

launched its FUSO brand light-medium and medium-heavy-

duty trucks in Trinidad and Tobago and in Cambodia. The trucks

are produced at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.’s

Oragadam plant. The launch of these trucks in Trinidad and

Tobago marks the debut of the FUSO brand in Latin America

and the first time the company has exported FUSO brand left-

hand drive vehicles. At a presentation by local distributor Diamond

Motors the new trucks were introduced to over 100 customers and

government officials,

and their quality and

finish were highly

praised. MFTBC

plans to strengthen

the position of FUSO

brand trucks both in

left-hand drive and

other global markets.The FJ medium-heavy-duty left-hand truck

Overseas Promotion of Advanced Hybrid Greenhouse Businesses

Mitsubishi Plastics Est. 1943

1-1, Marunouchi 1-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8252

Mitsubishi Plastics contributes to establishing a better society by providing a wide spectrum of advanced products and materials. By enhanced technology and product development capabilities, the company will optimize the infinite potential of plastics and advanced materials.

■ http://www.mpi.co.jp/english

Technology Transfer and Adaption of H2Station® CAR-100 Fueling Packing

Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha (MKK) and Danish company H2

Logic A/S, a leading manufacturer of hydrogen fueling stations,

have executed an agreement for a technology transfer of the

H2Station® CAR-100 product and the development of a low-cost

fueling packing which complies with Japanese laws and market

requirements. The CAR-100 is an integrated package housed

in a container and can start fueling hydrogen within 48 hours of

installation. MKK has been involved in the construction of hydrogen

fueling stations in Japan using the company’s own HyGeia steam

reforming technology. The collaboration with H2 Logic strengthens

MKK’s market leader position in the supply and construction of

hydrogen fueling stations in Japan. MKK expects to market launch

a Japanese version of the H2Station® CAR-100 during 2016.

■

http://www.kakoki.co.jp/english/news/pdf/p150710.pdf

■

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_en/products/2015/news/detail0977.html

Japan

The CAR-100 hydrogen fueling package

The production site (Courtesy of Buru Energy)

3

Nae-Terrace™ The leaf vegetable seedlings are transferred to Napperland™

Packaging for the vegetables ecoLEAFTM on sale in Australia

Trinidad and Tobago

Cambodia

HydroponicsSeedlings

Note 1: American Petroleum Institute (API) grades.Note 2: A plant that is designed, supplied, built, or installed fully complete and ready to operate.

India

Front Line

This is definitely one of the most frequent phrases that you can

hear in Hong Kong, which truly explains the attitude of most

of the people here. Hong Kong is an extremely fast-paced city

where people are always hurrying off, from walking, dining, even to speaking. Working efficiently is an

expected norm in your workplace; while feeling stressed out could be just part of your life, and most people

get used to it and ironically a lot of people love to get neck-deep in work here, including me. It’s no wonder

why Hong Kong remains one of the most competitive cities in the world. On the other hand, Hong Kong

people, especially the younger generation, do know how to

enjoy life, to relax after working long hours. For me, I love to

escape from the “urban jungle” and go hiking. You will be

surprised to know that Hong Kong has so many mountains

with amazing scenic views.

Diversity in Culture

Ruled as a separate British

colony for more than 150 years, Hong Kong has developed a unique culture

– a fusion of East and West. Local Chinese continue to keep many Chinese

customs and the Chinese New Year is a key festival to celebrate. At the

same time, Christmas and Halloween are very popular here. Christmas

trees are found in major shopping malls and many scrapers around Victoria

Harbour will be all decked out with twinkling Christmas lights. Another

interesting proof of a blended culture is the wedding ceremony here. The

new couples will generally follow the Chinese traditions or rituals in the

morning time, while later they tend to have a more Western ceremony to

exchange vows. The way they dress is also very different from day to night.

A challenging career suits me

Joining Meiji Yasuda Asia as a senior

research analyst in 2011, I was very honored

to be one of the members managing the

newly founded Meiji Yasuda Asia Equity

Active Fund in the same year. The last four

years have been very fruitful for me as I have

had many opportunities to travel across

Asia and meet with hundreds of companies.

I believe Hong Kong’s diverse culture does really help me in communicating effectively with people of

different background. In fact, this is quite a challenging job not only because our team has to come up with

attractive investable ideas, but it is also about taking decisive action and critical thinking everyday in our

fast-changing business environment. Thanks to the best efforts of our dynamic team and the help from our

supporting members in the HK office, our fund performance has been outstanding in the industry.

I have strong confidence that this track record will continue in future, and that our HK office will serve its role

in exploring more business opportunities and promoting our company’s reputation in Asia.

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

the USAfrom

from Hong Kong

Mitsubishi Polycrystalline Silicon America Corporation

(dba Mitsubishi Polysilicon) is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi

Materials Corporation. Our company produces ultra

high-purity polysilicon for the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductors are generally small and complex devices, and

are found in thousands of products such as computers, cell phones, appliances, and medical equipment.

Due to the extraordinary precision and quality required of semiconductors, the material from which they

are made must be equally extraordinary as is the ultra high-purity

polysilicon manufactured by Mitsubishi Polysilicon.

As Vice President Accounting, Treasurer, I am responsible for the

accounting and financial activities of the company. I was fortunate to

be one of the first employees hired at the Mobile, Alabama, plant in

1996 and have experienced several plant expansions over the years.

Today, I enjoy working alongside 150 wonderful co-workers who are

committed to producing quality polysilicon for the world market.

The Location and Things to Do

Mitsubishi Polysilicon is located in the Mobile, Alabama,

metropolitan area which is in the southeastern United States,

near the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile is one of Alabama’s largest

cities with a population of approximately 1.2 million within a

60-mile radius. Being a coastal city, Mobile was founded in

1702 as the first capital of colonial French Louisiana. Known

as the City of Six Flags, Mobile has enjoyed a rich history of

French, Spanish and British influences. We are proud of our

heritage as the birthplace of Mardi Gras (French Catholic carnival tradition) in the United States.

Near the water, the area enjoys a semi-tropical climate and 32 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches.

Popular pastimes include swimming, boating and all forms of fishing. Personally, I enjoy catching, cooking

and eating a variety of delicious seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding waterways.

Alabama is well known as a

“football state” where all residents

must declare allegiance to their favorite

team. In the fall months, you can

always catch me rooting for my alma

mater, Auburn University.

If you ever find yourself along the

Gulf Coast of Alabama, please look me

up. I’ll be happy to take you fishing,

teach you about American football, or

show you the local sights.

My Company and Job

Mr. Chan Kit TakResearch Analyst

Meiji Yasuda Asia Ltd.A subsidiary of Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company

“No rush, but move fast”

Photos are provided by Mr. Simon Lam

photo: AP / AFLO

Mr. Rob HowellVice President Accounting & Treasurer

Mitsubishi Polycrystalline Silicon America CorporationA subsidiary of Mitsubishi Materials

Joint Japan-France Energy Storage Project

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Mitsubishi

Corporation have reached agreement with Electricité

de France (EDF); Forsee Power, a key provider of energy

storage solutions sponsored by EDF; and PSA Peugeot

Citroën to launch a joint demonstration project for utilizing

used lithium-ion batteries from electric-powered vehicles.

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate efficient

and economically feasible energy management practices

based on the optimization of electricity storage, charging

and generation

technology to

meet fluctuations

in demand. The

demonstration

project will be

inaugurated in

autumn 2015 at

Forsee Power’s new headquarters near Paris. The parties

to the agreement will study the viability of a new business

model for energy storage systems utilizing used lithium-ion

batteries in France and the rest of the European market.

DURABIOTM Bio-based Engineering Plastic wins the Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry GSC Award

DURABIOTM, a bio-based engineering plastic developed

by Mitsubishi Chemical, won the Minister of Economy,

Trade and Industry Award1 at the 14th Green and

Sustainable Chemistry (GSC) Awards.2 Developed by the

company, DURABIOTM is a bio-based engineering plastic

made mainly from plant-derived isosorbide which gives it

outstanding surface impact, heat and weather resistance. It

also has excellent transparency and optical properties such

as ease of coloring,

and its tough surface

hardness gives it

superior scratch

resistance. These

properties eliminate

the need for any

coating process and enable a reduction in emissions of

volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The product won the

Award in recognition of its use of renewable resources,

its lower environmental impact and its provision of higher

performance and thus added value.

Financial Support for India’s Swaminathan Research Foundation

Mitsubishi Corporation has announced that it will

provide financial support to the MS Swaminathan Research

Foundation1 in India to assist with initiatives supporting

poor rural communities in the southeastern state of Andhra

Pradesh. A ceremony held in August to commemorate

the five-year project was attended by Chief Minister N.

Chandrababu Naidu. The foundation’s Smart Village Project

is aimed at providing comprehensive support for improving

the sanitary and living conditions of about 8,000 people

across eight poor rural communities in Andhra Pradesh.

One of the primary aims of the project is to secure urgently

needed clean drinking water and install hygienic toilets and

other sanitary facilities in the target villages with the ultimate

aim of helping them to meet the guidelines of India’s Model

Village Scheme.2

Green Diamonds

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.

Japan

Commemorative photo of the 14th Green Sustainable Chemistry Award ceremony

Bio-based engineering plastic DURABIOTM

Forsee Power’s new headquarters near Paris

Ceremony commemorating the start of the Smart Village Project

A scene in Andhra Pradesh

Inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index for 13th Straight Year

NYK has been selected by the FTSE Group,1 a global index

provider, for inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index, marking the

13th straight year that the company has appeared in this

major yardstick for socially responsible investing (SRI).2 The

FTSE4Good Index is a leading indicator used by investors

who value corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

NYK’s environmental activities were seen as particularly

noteworthy and led to this 13th consecutive recognition.

NYK also has been selected for a number of other SRI

indexes, including the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific

Index (USA). A good corporate citizen, NYK will continue to

take an active role in social issues, including conservation

of the environment, to contribute to the achievement of a

better global society.

■ http://www.nyk.com/english/release/3710/004036.html

■ http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_en/corporate/2015/news/detailf710.html

■ http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2015/html/0000028345.html

Note 1: Established in Chennai in May 1988 to support agricultural development and the improvement of livelihoods in poor rural communities.

Note 2: Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2014. Under the scheme, the projects are required to set practical targets for improving physical and institutional infrastructure in terms of hygiene and livelihoods. The scheme aims to provide comprehensive support for communities as they draw on the lessons learnt from the model villages for their own development.

Note 1: Awarded to corporations that have contributed to the development of industrial technology.Note 2: Awarded to corporations which have contributed to the promotion of chemistry and chemical technologies that are people- and eco-friendly and that support the development of a sustainable society.

Note 1: Wholly owned subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange. Employed worldwide, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Note 2: Investing in companies engaged in ethical activities and confirmed through financial analyses to meet established investment standards.

UK

France

6

India

Congratulations!

*Other Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee member companies selected for the FTSE4Good Index in 2015: Kirin Holdings, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Mitsubishi Estate, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance, Nikon, Tokio Marine Holdings.