Akihiro Shirane
President & CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Joined MITSUI & CO., LTD., in 1996. Engaged primarily in infrastructure projects in the electricity, water, and energy sectors. From 2016, worked on infrastructure projects in the Middle East, Africa, and Russia CIS regions, gaining experience in asset management and project development for thermal power plants, solar power generation, and other projects in Jordan, Morocco, Oman, and other regions. During a secondment to a water utility company in Mexico, worked closely with the engineering team on the frontlines of operations. Well versed in global infrastructure projects and appointed to the current position in August 2025.
“Here, expertise comes to life in real-world projects.”――。What is truly fulfilling work, as seen by the head of the expert group that supports Mitsui’s global projects from a technical standpoint? And what kind of people does he want to build the future with? President Shirane candidly shared his thoughts.
One-step-ahead solutions for a changing world
—As a front runner in solving social problems, what kind of future are you envisioning?
Shirane: Today, geopolitical issues and environmental changes are emerging at an ever-increasing speed around the world. Individual countries and regions are facing new social issues one after another, and existing problems are also becoming more complex. In the midst of such rapid change, we would like to continue providing solutions that look one step ahead together with Mitsui.
We provide specialized technical support for various projects across the broad range of business domains undertaken by Mitsui on a global scale. Using the networks and partnerships Mitsui has cultivated in various countries and regions as a foundation, we provide our technical expertise to create large-scale, high-impact projects that would be difficult to achieve independently. This cooperation, I believe, is our strength.
In addition, we also serve as a hub that consolidates technical insights across businesses within the Mitsui Group. By accumulating experience and know-how gained from projects around the world, we combine them with the latest technologies and information and leverage them for the development of the next new projects. By going through this cycle, we would like to be an organization that can consistently take proactive steps to address the challenges society faces.
Great synergy generated from diverse areas of expertise
—You champion the slogan “Center of Excellence.” How would you characterize your organization?
Shirane: We currently have over 30 members in our organization. What’s unique is that we can provide a variety of services based on the insights each of us brings from our diverse areas of expertise. We have professionals in a variety of fields, including the civil engineering, electrical, design, operations, and maintenance fields, as well as safety and health management.
All of them have gained deep expertise in their respective fields during their previous careers. Now that they have joined our company, we want them to combine their expertise with Mitsui’s project development capabilities to generate even greater synergy.
While individual capabilities have their limits, bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds allows us to build an organization that can flexibly handle complex projects that cannot be managed alone. We also want each member to gain experience in new fields beyond their area of expertise and further broaden their specialties.
—From your own experience, were there any projects that marked a turning point?
Shirane: The most memorable experience for me was the one I had in Mexico. When Mitsui acquired a water business company in Mexico, I had the opportunity to be seconded to that company. While in Tokyo, we tend to work from the perspective of investors. In Mexico, on the other hand, I was able to work much closer to the operational sites, running around the plants alongside Mexican staff members.
What struck me most in Mexico was that specific ideas and solutions from technical experts are truly what support the core of the business. Seeing firsthand how engineering experts tackle the problems they face every day and the technical solutions they come up with, I realized the true value of expertise.
Our company is precisely the organization made up of such technical experts. It is thanks to my experience in Mexico that I take pride in knowing how to collaborate with experts to deliver the best possible results.
—What direction do you envision for future business development?
Shirane: So far, Mitsui has carried out global projects across diverse business fields, and professional personnel within Mitsui’s global operations have excelled by applying their expertise in each field or business.
Recently, Mitsui Engineering Partners was established by bringing together technical professionals working across the Mitsui Group. By making full use of this opportunity and consolidating and deepening the insights of each professional, we aim to further elevate the level of technical support our organization provides. We aim to identify trends in the changing business environment and take proactive action by leveraging the Mitsui Group’s business foundation and consolidating extensive technical insights.
In addition, Mitsui is increasingly handling projects that cut across business sectors and business units in Mitsui. As an organization that provides technical support for the entire Mitsui Group, we will respond to these projects with flexibility.
Earnestly and sincerely as a frontrunner in realizing a sustainable society
—What kind of personnel would you like to have in your company?
Shirane: First and foremost, I would like to have personnel with profound expertise in their respective fields. In addition to that, I would like to see people with curiosity and the motivation to join us. We are seeking individuals who value the attitude of being earnest and sincere, who believe that they can better apply their know-how and insights to new fields, and who are highly motivated to work in regions and on project themes different from past experiences.
Our greatest asset is that we have numerous worksites where individual employees can deepen their insights and gain experience while taking on new challenges. We want our employees to demonstrate the technical expertise that they have cultivated at various project sites around the world and fully realize their potential.
Here, we have meaningful jobs that tackle social problems as we carry pride in our hearts. Mitsui’s global networks and on-site challenges tackled using expertise—in an environment where we can experience both, let us together envision the future across diverse operations.
