Job Listings Apply
  • JA
  • EN
  • CN

The Culmination of a 40-Year Career
A Process Engineer’s Mission to Connect Technology with Society

Sustainability & Innovation Div.
Assistant General Manager (Technology) A

  1. CAREER
  2. Responsibilities
  3. Experience & Skills
  4. Fulfillment & Succession

  1. CAREER

    1987  
    M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University
    1987−
    Major Chemical Manufacturer: R&D, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Corporate Planning/Operations, and Overseas Projects
    2025  
    Joined HighChem as Assistant General Manager (Technology)

  2. Responsibilities

    Could you briefly tell us about your career?

    I specialized in chemical engineering in graduate school, particularly reaction engineering and process design. I was drawn to the dynamic nature of the field, which focuses on bringing technologies into practical use—from research at the laboratory scale to full-scale industrial plants. This field of study had a major influence on my career. My research focused on coal hydrogasification, and I find it quite meaningful that, 40 years ago, I was studying a by-product gas derived from coal, which is related to the feedstock used in HighChem’s C1 Chemistry and SEG® process today.

    After graduation, I joined a major chemical manufacturer and spent my first seven years at what was then called the Process Research Institute, working on process development for a wide range of products and projects. I then moved to the Manufacturing Division, where I was involved in commissioning a state-of-the-art plant based on proprietary technology. As a Manufacturing Section Manager, I was responsible for overall production management and led a team of approximately 100 employees during the commissioning of a new plant. At the same time, as a process engineer serving as a technical leader, I acted as a bridge between the R&D and manufacturing teams. I later joined an overseas project and spent several years in Saudi Arabia as a Manufacturing Department Manager. There, I was responsible for planning and managing the commissioning of a local plant, covering everything from the feasibility study and selection of licensed technology through to the start of operations.

    After returning to Japan, I was seconded to the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), where I worked on biomass energy and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Through negotiations with overseas government agencies and discussions on policies in different countries, I contributed to efforts to promote carbon neutrality. I then returned to my former employer, where I served as a Manufacturing Technology Leader, focusing on developing young talent and managing process improvement and efficiency projects.

    What Led You to Join HighChem?

    While I was seconded to NEDO, I developed a strong desire to give back to society by applying the technologies I had developed throughout my career in the context of the environment and carbon neutrality.

    I kept that thought to myself for some time. Then, while working for my former employer after retirement, I was approached by HighChem about joining the company as Assistant General Manager (Technology). When I visited HighChem’s website and saw its corporate vision, the phrase “We are the BRIDGE” immediately caught my attention. As I read further, I learned that HighChem was seriously committed not only to environmental initiatives but also to achieving economic viability. I strongly identified with this approach, as it was exactly the theme I had pursued throughout my career.

    I was also deeply attracted to HighChem’s business model as a bridge—bringing outstanding technologies that have not been fully utilized in Japan into practical use in China and then expanding them globally. I wanted to play a part in making this happen.

    Looking back, I realized that perhaps my entire 40-year career had prepared me for this moment: my research on coal gasification at university, my experience in manufacturing and plant commissioning at my former employer, and my work on technology transfer in Saudi Arabia. I felt that there could be no better stage for me as a process engineer. I was convinced that this was the perfect culmination of my career.

    Could You Tell Us About Your Current Role?

    As Assistant General Manager (Technology) in the Sustainability Innovation Headquarters, I am primarily responsible for licensed technologies.
    My role covers a wide range of licensing-related activities, including proposing technical solutions tailored to customer needs and negotiating technology transfers for technologies acquired by HighChem. I also support process design and the preparation of licensing materials to enable technologies developed in-house to be implemented on an industrial scale by our licensees.

    This role requires me to take a broad view of our technologies across departments, including the Catalysts Division, C1 Division, Material Research Office, and Tokyo Research Center, while serving as a bridge between these teams. I believe HighChem has achieved outstanding results by bringing together professionals in each department and allowing them to leverage their respective expertise. Going forward, however, HighChem will be developing more technologies of its own. I believe this is where the knowledge and experience of process engineers like me can make a real difference—further refining these technologies, packaging them into complete solutions, and bringing them to the world.

  3. Experience & Skills

    When Do You Feel Your Years of Experience Are Making a Difference?

    I would say it is my ability to make sound judgments when faced with technical challenges. Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience, I can anticipate not only theoretical issues but also problems that may arise on the actual manufacturing floor and propose practical solutions. I believe this is my greatest strength. What I aim to do is serve as a guidepost for others. Drawing on my extensive experience, from license negotiations and the preparation of licensing packages to EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) and plant commissioning, as well as my ability to take a broad view of the entire process, I provide specific advice and share information with colleagues working on the front lines of projects, such as what should be done at a particular stage.

    My mission now is to pass on the knowledge and expertise I have built up over many years as a process engineer to the next generation and to future projects.

  4. Fulfillment & Succession

    What Do You Keep in Mind When Passing Knowledge on to the Next Generation?

    In a word, giving back. I believe my role today is to pass on to the next generation the benefits and knowledge I have received from society.
    What I value most is explaining the thought process behind a decision—why I reached a particular conclusion. Simply providing the answer is not enough. By carefully explaining the experiences and theories behind each decision, I hope to help young and mid-career engineers develop the ability to think and make decisions for themselves.

    I am also focusing on developing researchers and engineers with a solid foundation in process engineering. I am currently working on this initiative together with our HR team. As HighChem continues to grow, refine its proprietary technologies, and expand them globally, I believe we also need systematic training. Having technology alone is not enough; we need the engineering capabilities to connect it to business in an efficient and strategic way. I hope to contribute to strengthening these capabilities across the organization as a whole.