• 1987　Joined Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• 2008　General Manager of IT&ITS Development Department, Electronic Technology Development Headquarters
• 2009　SVP of Nissan International Co., Ltd.
• 2013　Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• 2014　Managing Executive Officer, SVP of Nissan North America, Inc.
• 2018　Senior Managing Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• 2019　Vice President
• 2024　Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
• 2025　Senior Fellow, currently

Expanding technological diversity to lead the future of mobility

The needs for cars are diversifying, and cars and their technology are in a period of major change.

Countries have declared carbon neutrality, and Europe, China, the United States, and Japan have also shifted their policies toward electrification. On the other hand, due to the rapid shift from internal combustion engines to electrification, the automobile industry is facing a mountain of challenges, including procurement of key components such as batteries, product profitability and business sustainability, expansion of charging infrastructure, and resource recycling of used batteries. I am doing a lot of trial and error. The reality is that the path to electrification in each market is still unknown.

On the other hand, in the Japanese market, the shift away from cars is accelerating, especially among young people. The reason for this is the increased burden of ownership costs, especially in urban areas, but it can also be said to be the result of a failure to convey the value of ownership and freedom of movement. Cars are now more than just a means of transportation. During the coronavirus pandemic, we realized that various activities, including work, can be done anywhere. Cars are expected not only to provide safe and comfortable transportation, but also to provide quality added value that can be enjoyed while on the move, such as for work, SNS, information searches, shopping, entertainment, etc. by connecting to networks outside the car.

The variety of technologies implemented in cars to provide this value has evolved beyond what it was 10 years ago. The range of applications is expanding dramatically, including autonomous driving, the provision of software services that utilize telematics, and billing systems. The importance of technologies that make cars even more intelligent, such as software, high-performance digital semiconductors (SOCs), sensors, and communications, is also increasing. In addition, battery materials, motors, and power elements used in inverters, which hold the key to electric vehicles, have become essential technologies for automobiles. As a result, various emerging players around the world are adding new value to automobiles.

While the field of automotive technology is expanding, the number of members of the Society has reached a plateau. As there are various challenges and opportunities, we believe that expanding the scope of automotive technology and deepening consideration and discussion will improve the appeal of the Society and become a source of competitiveness for Japan's automotive technology and industry.

For example, regarding the future of these technological fields, it might be a good idea to once again discuss how Japan's automobile technology can overcome competition in the world. Furthermore, in addition to conventional automobile technology, the points at issue will also become more diverse as experts in various technological fields will come into our discussions, including software, intelligent technology such as sensors, and new material technology including batteries. ．． I believe that the organic lectures and discussions on various advanced technologies that will lead to future automobiles will further enhance the appeal of the conference.

Last year, the Tokyo Motor Show was renamed the Japan Mobility Show, and it was a great success with participation from various fields including startups. From 2022, the association will also be holding a technology exhibition "From Automobiles to Mobility." I hope to further deepen these efforts to expand our field and work to improve the appeal of our association.

Furthermore, until now Japan has been leading the way in electrification and intelligent technology, but countries and regions such as Europe and China are increasingly trying to keep these technologies in check. In order for Japan's automobile technology and industry to compete more than ever before, Japan needs to make efforts to further expand its areas of cooperation and take the initiative in global technological standardization.

Academia, government, and industry will deepen their discussions and cooperate to evolve competition. We once again deeply accept the founding purpose of this association, which is to "promote the advancement and development of science and technology related to automobiles, thereby contributing to the promotion of academic culture, the development of industrial economy, and the improvement of people's lives." We look forward to expanding the scope of technology and actively discussing the future of a mobility society, and we look forward to your continued support.

*From the JSAE journal “Let’s expand the diversity of technology and lead the future of mobility” published in June 2024