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
I Wayan Sastra Kesuma
Kim Go Eun
Age 10, Boy
Republic of Indonesia
Age 9, Girl
Republic of Korea
Decorated penjor bamboo poles are part of our region’s cultural
heritage. They remind us that the Galungan festival day is
approaching. And my friends and I have learned how to make them
since we were little to preserve our heritage.
A Bimonthly Review of the Mitsubishi Companies and Their People Around the World
2017
April & May
I am passionate at the sports day. I am determined to win.
I am too concerned with winning at this special time for doing
sports with my friends. Won’t someone please cool my fire?
Please cool off my passion for winning.
＊ The Enikki entries above, when necessary, have been translated into English from the language they were originally written in.
Nakizumo: “Bawling Sumo” Festival Prays for Healthy Growth
N
akizumo, or bawling sumo, is a Shinto festival in
which babies of around a year old fight for the
honor of recording the loudest bawl in a sumo
wrestling ring. Today, it is celebrated mainly as a prayer for
easy childbirth and the healthy development of babies. At the
Sensoji Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, the ceremony
is held annually in April. Only babies born the previous
year can take part. Organized by Asakusa Sightseeing
Information, it has been held annually there since 1991.
Parents whose names are called out by the master of
ceremonies make their way forward toward the East and
West sides of the sumo ring and hand over their babies to
their “seconds,” loincloth-clad novice wrestlers who are
members of the Nihon University Sumo Club. The two
seconds hold the babies face to face and when the referee
shouts, “Go to it; keep going!” the bawling match begins.
Whether a baby cries first or if it cries within 10 seconds
of the other, the one who bawls loudest wins. The seconds
work up a sweat as they do everything they can to get their
©Jiji Press Photo
GOOD DESIGN
AWARD 2016
baby to cry first: making faces at it, lifting it above their
head. These comic antics produce waves of laughter among
those looking on, as the babies either start bawling, laugh
or remain blissfully asleep in the arms of their seconds. In
2016, some 3,200 people turned up to watch.
For more information about the Mitsubishi companies, see “Mitsubishi Profile” ■ http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/activity/profile.html
The Mitsubishi Monitor is published by the Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee
Marunouchi Nakadori Bldg., 2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Phone: 81-3-5218-8660 Fax: 81-3-5218-8661
Volume 31 No.2
Official Website ■ http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/monitor/back/index.html
We want your feedback! ■ http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/talk/form.html
©2017 Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee
Printed in Japan on recycled paper
Front Line
Nikon
The Good Design Award is the only inclusive design evaluation and
commendation system in Japan. Starting as the Good Design Selection
System (or G Mark System), it was founded in 1957. More than a
competition that judges relative excellence alone, this comprehensive
design-promotion system selects designs from the perspective of whether
they have the potential to enrich lives and communities as a whole. The
designs are evaluated and commended on the basis of their efficacy and
usefulness. The thought given to and the methodology used in entries
selected as Good Designs can provide a springboard to future activities.
2016 proved to be the best-subscribed year in recent memory, with 4,085
GDA entries screened and 1,229 granted the use of the G Mark symbol.
http://www.g-mark.org/?local=en
The type of award is indicated by red, green, blue and orange dots.
Good Design Award
● Good Design Long Life Design Award
●
Design for the Future Award
● Good Design Best 100
●
Kirin Holdings
Group
Mitsubishi Electric
Air Conditioner – Kirigamine MSZ-FL Series,
MSZ-LN Series, MSZ-JL Series Mitsubishi Electric 3
●
The Kirigamine- style domestic a/c unit presents the ideal slim- line look for a wallmounted ductless mini-split air conditioner through scrupulous attention to fine detail.
The main features that attract attention include the flaps that deploy to hide the outlet
vent grille from view in the front, and the sensor unit that retracts when the unit is
switched off. While offering all the functionality and high energy savings demanded of
a/c units on the Japanese market, it shows the passion and endeavor of those involved
in its development in the linear, smooth surface design that achieves harmony with
the surrounding space.
Designed for a longer
product life than normal,
this unit hints at the
development possibilities
for a new type of domestic
air conditioner.
■ http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/products/airconditioning/ln/index.html
Other Award Winners
● Segment-Handling Robot for Large Telescope – Segment-Handling Robot for Thirty
Meter Telescope Mitsubishi Electric
● Refrigerator – MR-CX series Mitsubishi Electric
● High-accuracy GPS Mobile Mapping System – Mobile Mapping System MMS-G
Mitsubishi Electric
Induction cooktop – CS-T34BFR Mitsubishi Electric
● Ceiling wall-mounted circulation fan – “Health Air equipped” circulation fan JC10K series Mitsubishi Electric
● Head-Up Display – Head-Up Display DU-200HU Mitsubishi Electric
● Car Speakers – 08603-K2007, 08603-K2008 Mitsubishi Electric
● Fiber 2D Laser Processing Machine – Fiber 2D Laser Processing Machine eX-F Series
●
Mitsubishi Electric
Protection Relay – MP31 Multi-Relay Mitsubishi Electric
LV Switchgear & Controlgear – Low Voltage Motor Control Center Type-D Mitsubishi Electric
● Tool for elevator maintenance – Floor mat for brake maintenance Mitsubishi Electric
● Hand Dryer – Jet Towel Smart JT-S2AP, JT-S2A Mitsubishi Electric
● Hand Dryer – Jet Towel Slim JT-SB216JSH2, JT-SB216KSN2 Mitsubishi Electric
● Multihop Wireless Network for Surveillance Cameras – Measures to Introduce Wireless
Network for Security Cameras Mitsubishi Electric
●
●
1
2
2
4
3
5
Cover:
Good Design Award-winning entries featured in this section with a circled number are
pictured on the cover. The numbers correspond to those in the illustration on the left,
showing the position of the entry on the cover.
Note: The information shown was correct at the time of the presentation of the awards
(October 2016 ), but the particulars of the designs may have changed since.
Packaging Designs for Bottles – Kirin moogy, A Hearty
Barley Tea with Ginger and Herbs Kirin Beverage
Inverted Microscopes – Eclipse Ts2/Ts2R
●
●
Nikon
The inverted microscope is designed to observe specimens from below. It is suitable
for observation of cells and tissues in culture dishes and it is widely used in biological,
medical and pharmaceutical fields. Despite their compact size and reasonable price,
the Eclipse Ts2 and Ts2R inverted microscopes flexibly accommodate a number of
needs providing sharp, clear 3-D images with a self-aligning, high-intensity LED light
source and a wide range of stages for different specimen sizes. Other features include a
compact design that allows the microscopes to fit into different laboratory environments,
and that keeps them clean.
The stringent criteria sought of an
inverted microscope are housed
in a refined and unified shape
and in a polished design that
projects the sense of accuracy,
reliability and appeal of a
precision instrument.
Ts2
Group
Ts2R
Other Award Winners
● Portable Microscope – EZ micro Nikon Vision
● Binocular – Monarch HG Nikon Vision
● Fieldscopes – Monarch Fieldscope Nikon Vision 5
● Digital SLR Camera – Nikon D5 Nikon
● Digital SLR Camera – Nikon D500 Nikon
● Digital Imaging Solution – Nivo-i Nikon Trimble
● Application software – DS-L4 Nikon
The packaging design for Kirin “moogy” barley tea was not developed for standard shelf
placement in stores but more for online shopping websites, targeting women between
their 20s and 40s who are busy bringing up children or with work. Sixteen delicate,
pastel, hand-drawn designs give expression to the excitement that the consumers will
feel while wondering which patterns will be delivered, giving much the same enjoyment
as choosing which outfit to wear each day. Inside the bottles is a blend of four warming
ingredients – roasted barley, ginger, chamomile and lemon grass. Normal design
methodology promotes brand awareness by printing large amounts of information on
the packaging. The “moogy”
approach, however, is unique
in that exploiting the nature of
Internet shopping it employs
a variety of patterns while
keeping written descriptions
of the product to a minimum.
The fact that the design is
based on real-life situations is
also worthy of applause.
Other Award Winners
● Home Beer Dispenser/ Bottle/ Service – Kirin Brewery Owners Club Kirin Brewery
● Whisky – Kirin Whisky Fuji-Sanroku 18Y Blended Whisky 2016 Kirin Brewery
● Heartland Beer – Art Project Slice of Heartland Kirin 1
Reducing Social Insurance Costs by
Raising Medical Checkups
Japan
MRI (Mitsubishi Research Institute) started a new business
aimed at raising the examination rate for “specified health
checkups.” Its target is the dependents of persons covered by
social insurance, the majority of whom are wives of company
employees. Specified health checkups refer to checkups that
company health insurance associations are required to provide
for employees and their spouses. Figures show, however, that
the percentage of wives having checkups falls far short of their
husbands who are employees: less than 50 percent.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as part
of the current administration’s Japan Revitalization Strategy, has
made it mandatory that company health insurance associations
formulate Data Health Plans, which are health care programs
that employ assessment benchmarks, one key performance
index (KPI) of which is the health checkup attendance rate.
The aim is to rationalize ballooning hea lth care costs.
On behalf of health insurance
Mitsubishi Estate
●
Group
No - Attendant Room Viewings – Smart Nairan
associations, MRI’s “Health, Go For It”
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
AGT (Automated Guideway Transit ) Vehicle –
New Shuttle 2020 Series 4
Mitsubishi Jisho, Mitsubishi Jisho Residence, Mitsubishi Jisho Housenet
●
The NinjaLock smart lock and its operating system allow an unattended viewing service
for rental properties. Potential viewers obtain the right to use the lock from a dedicated
website and unlock the door at the time reserved using a key downloaded to their
smartphone. This can be done alone at
any time without the need for the real
estate agent to attend. While almost
everything is available on the Internet
today, property viewing was still being
carried out as in the past. The aim,
therefore, was to use the Internet and
smartphones to provide viewers with more
options for accessing real estate and to
Door fitted with NinjaLock
reduce costs for the real estate agent.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Other Award Winners
● Condominium – The Parkhouse Harumi Towers : A new twin tower design model
that creates a lagoon city view with different, changing and discontinuing building
expression Mitsubishi Jisho Residence
● Architecture – Head office & museum Yaskawa Innovation Center Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei 2
● Office Building – Shibuya Toyu Building Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei
● Renovation of company housing – Reuse sublease business renovation of company
housing that has become idle assets Mitsubishi Jisho Residence
● Research and development for new condominiums – “R & D eco-life model,” research
and development for newly built condominiums, utilizing the renovation business of used
condominiums Mitsubishi Jisho Residence, Mitsubishi Estate Home, MEC eco LIFE
● House – “Order Gran” Komazawa Stage 2 Home Gallery Mitsubishi Estate Home
Group
The New Shuttle 2020 series is a brand-new people mover system introduced on the
Saitama New Urban Transit Ina line, serving 13 stations along a 12.7- km track that
connects Omiya station to the northern suburbs of the city. Operating on a dedicated
elevated track and with electric drive and rubber tires, it delivers environmentally friendly
medium-capacity urban transportation. This automated guideway transit (AGT) is a
one-man operated system fully equipped with Automated Train Control and Automated
Route Control safety systems. The 2020 series coach uses a double skin aluminum
construction that makes it over a
ton lighter than the previous series,
while delivering improved comfort.
The new series brings further
developments in the technology of
the highly acclaimed Yurikamome
7300 series AGT and uses
hexagonal cross-sectioning that
improved interior space efficiency
and created the iconic exterior.
■ http://www.mhi-global.com/news/story/1609292012.html
Other Award Winners
● Ceiling Cassette Type Air-Conditioner – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioner
Exceed Hyper Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
http://www.mhi-global.com/news/story/1610032016.html
email service encourages spouses to go
for checkups. In order to make people
who are reluctant to have checkups
more interested in their wellness,
the email service delivers a mail
magazine that provides information
on beauty and health care, as well
as a “Knowledge Box” women’s
health portal. Health, Go For It
was launched in April 2016 as a
free trial online service, to become
chargeable in April 2017.
The “Knowledge Box” website carries notifications from the
health insurance associations as well as information relating
to women’s health and is also accessible by smartphone. As
well as a variety of information, the site also has a section
that gives away wellness-useful presents.
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
Est.1970
10-3, Nagatacho 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8141
TEL.81-3-5157-2111　FAX.81-3-5157-2119
Mitsubishi Research Institute is a leading research and consulting firm
in Japan. Through integrated interdisciplinary knowledge, the company
provides research and consulting services in a wide range of areas, from
economy and industry to social systems, energy, environment, science and
technology, as well as IT solutions to government and commercial clients.
■ http://www.mri.co.jp/english/index.html
3
from
Germany
Beautiful Düsseldorf
Multi-language Training Center
Mitsubishi Motors Middle East & Africa Operations and the service
Training Center are based in Dubai. The Training Center offers an 18week training program each year with on-site and satellite training
As we cover training in the Middle East and in Africa we
provide multi-language instructors. Our team is as below.
The German Branch of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.
for automotive technicians from the Middle East and Africa in order to provide the MMC Authorized
is headquartered in Ratingen next to Düsseldorf.
Dealer Network in the Middle East & Africa region with highly trained automotive technicians.
In keeping with MMC’s vision and mission to build on continued success and ongoing business
Ratingen is located between the Ruhr region in the
north and the Rhine valley in the south, a region
abundant with historical castles and beautiful towns,
MEU-GER
and also known for its local wine. Among others,
Düsseldorf is renowned for its many local culinary
growth, MMMEA (ME-TSC) meets the training needs of various departments. It also senses and
analyses trainee needs and delivers training accordingly.
Technical training covers the M-STEP (Mitsubishi Service Technician
Education Program). M-STEP offers three levels and four qualifications.
specialties and beverages, such as the famous Altbier.
Basic: Regular inspections, and pre-delivery inspections.
Each year, the cities in this region, called Rhineland,
Middle: Component overhaul.
celebrate their carnival season from November onwards,
High: Troubleshooting.
ultimately culminating in festive street parades in
Schweinemett and Düsseldorf’s famous Altbier
Hajime Kawai
Non-technical training covers M-SAT (Mitsubishi Service Advisor
Training Manager: Technical
and Body Repair Training
instructor; speaks Japanese,
French and English
Apolinario Consemino
Assistant manager:
Technical / Non-Technical;
speaks Tagalog and English
February. People put on colorful costumes for the street
Training), M-FOT (Mitsubishi Foreman Training), MACS (Management and Communication Skills), INS-
carnival and the cities become one big party.
GEN (Instructor General Skills), and PST (Parts Staff Training).
I work as a software engineer in the field of servo
In training for new models, ME-TSC updates technicians on new technologies used in new models
and motion for the Factory Automation European
as well as existing vehicles, enabling them to maintain and repair vehicles professionally (Fix it right
Development Center. We develop products to fulfill the
the first time) for better customer satisfaction.
needs of the European market and customers. Germany’s
“Industrie 4.0,” the fourth industrial revolution, is a big
topic and has become ever-present in our daily work.
Celebrating at the street carnival, famous in Düsseldorf and Cologne
Mr Matthias Müller
Mr Imed
Daboussi
2016 News
It gives us a lot of challenges but also very interesting
Mitsubishi Motors Middle East & Africa, with the
topics to work on.
cooperation of Al Habtoor Motors, successfully
organized its first African skill contest to give more
Service Training Division Training
Officer
MY16 Montero Sport training course
A/T technical training course
Free - time travel
motivation in the African region. Winners of the African skill contest held in Dubai in July 2016 were Mr.
Mitsubishi Electric
Europe B.V.,
German Branch
(MEU-GER)
In my free time, I enjoy travelling
winners won a place in the Global Service Skills Contest 2016 held in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2016.
A group company of
Mitsubishi Electric
and their capital cities, such as
Software Engineer
the UAE
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.
from
Global
Spotlight
Mitsubishi Motors
Middle East & Africa
A subsidiary of Mitsubishi
Motors Corporation
Sheikh Yaqoub of Simba Colt Motors, Kenya, and Mr. Charles Semukuut of Victoria Motors, Uganda. Both
around Europe with family and
friends. Other European countries
Videos or picnics
Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam,
Actually, for myself, and all the people I know and
can be reached easily by train or
mix with, living in Dubai is, well, normal. We get up
car. London is also just a one-hour
and go to our workplaces five or maybe five and
flight away. I always look forward
a half days each week, and we engage in a variety of recreational activities in our spare time and at the
to tasting different local cuisines
weekends. These activities may be no more exotic than getting up a bit later than during the working
week, spending longer over breakfast, and maybe having a second coffee and deciding if the weather is
during trips.
Germany’s national sport is
Visiting a vineyard in France
without doubt football. Germany’s biggest stadium, which boasts a capacity of more than 80,000
too hot to do anything outdoorsy.
If it is too hot, I am happy to re-watch the whole first series of “Mad Men” or “Game of Thrones,”
people, is located just about one hour away from our office in the city of Dortmund. I enjoy watching
with some snacks from the pantry or the refrigerator, as the urge takes me. If it is a bit cooler, perhaps
games there with colleagues and friends from time to time.
a swim and a picnic somewhere or go down to the gym, or join a safari trip with freinds and enjoy the
sunset in the desert. And the days fly by, normally.
4
5
Green
Diamonds
Water Purifiers Donated to Public
Schools in Ma’an, Jordan
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.
Jordan
Recognition as CDP Climate and
Water A-list Companies
Japan
Japan
Eighty percent of Jordan is desert and the shortage
Kirin Holdings and Mitsubishi Electric have been
of drinking water is a serious problem. The city of
awarded A-list recognition by CDP in its Climate Change
Ma’an is situated in the desert and until now was
and Water Programs. CDP is an international NPO
unable to provide pupils at its public schools with safe
committed to creating a sustainable world economy.
drinking water. Mitsubishi Corporation has donated
For the third successive year, Kirin was accorded
60 domestic water purifiers to 38 public schools in
Climate Change A-list recognition for its commitment
Ma’an this fiscal year, thereby providing a safe supply
to saving energy, its progressive use of solar, wind
of drinking water for some 10,000
and biogas generated electricity and other renewable
pupils and teaching staff. A ceremony
energy sources, and to its cutting of CO 2 in the value
providing low-impact products and
marking the donation was held on
chain, this including container weight reduction and the
services. The company is driven in this
implementation of shared transportation logistics.
by its Environmental Vision 2021
October 10, 2016, at a high school
in the city and was attended by the
MC Senior Vice President & Regional CEO Katsuya Nakanishi attends the ceremony.
Mitsubishi Electric, meanwhile, was recognized for
initiative, which focuses on the creation of low-carbon,
Ma’an Director of Education and
girls’ school that admits outstanding pupils from
the first time, for its efforts in
recycling-based societies and on efforts to preserve
Municipal Board of Directors as well
each grade of all the public schools in the city. To the
reducing the environmental
biodiversity. Mitsubishi Electric also received A-list
as school principals and parents.
accompaniment of a folk band and folk dancing, the MC
impact of production processes
recognition in the climate change and water categories
The ceremony was held at the King
delegates were greeted by children of all ages waving
throughout its global value
of CDP’s Supply Chain Program, in addition to the top
Abdullah II School for Excellence, a
the Jordanian and Japanese flags.
chains and in developing and
rating in CDP’s first ever Supplier Engagement Rating.
Short-term Exchange Program
by Maritime Schools in Japan
and the Philippines
Excellence Award at Biodiversity
Action Awards 2016
Philippines Japan
Japan
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings’ group company
The NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), which NYK
Quadrant Plastic Composites Japan (QPCJ) was presented
operates in the Philippines, conducted an international
with the Excellence Award in the Let’s Select Award of
short-term student-exchange program with maritime
the Biodiversity Action Awards 2016 at a ceremony held
schools in Japan through the months of August and
on November 19, 2016, and sponsored by the Japan
October 2016.
Committee for the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
(UNDB - J ). The panel of judges cited the measures
The program was organized as part of the NYK Mirai
Project. From August 31 to September 10, nine students
QPCJ had taken to preserve biodiversity in its program to
from the Hiroshima, Yuge, and Oshima colleges of the
contribute to biodiversity by replacing imported plywood
Award ceremony
panels with recyclable performance plastics.
National Institute of Technology travelled to the Philippines
to participate in study and
College. During the visits, students attended classes and
activities at NTMA. And for
drill training together, communicating with one another in
Southeast Asia for the panels used in concrete formwork
four days from October 9,
English and sharing the excitement of, and gaining further
on construction sites. The impact of this is a rapid
ten students from NTMA
motivation toward, becoming international seamen.
reduction in the region’s tropical rain forests, which
“X-Sheet” formwork made from glass-mat-reinforced
harbor a rich biodiversity, and is considered a cause of
thermoplastics (GMT), which are used as a metal
climate change and of damage to the ecosystem. To
substitute for parts in the automotive industry.
of Technology’s Yuge
■ http://www.nyk.com/english/release/4208/004521.html
visited the National Institute
Japan relies heavily on plywood imported from
solve the environmental problem of resource depletion
6
WATER
“X-Sheet” formwork
Forming a concrete wall with “X-Sheet” formwork
QPCJ won the Excellence Award in recognition of its efforts
resulting from the use of plywood that is disposed
to solve environmental problems and preser ve biodiversity
of after use, in 1990 QPCJ developed the reusable
through its development and sales of eco-friendly products.
7