Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

File:Mitsubishi heavyindustries mhi logo.svg
File:Marunouchi Nijūbashi Building.jpg Headquarters located in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Native name	三菱重工業株式会社
Romanized name	Mitsubishi Jūkōgyō Kabushiki-kaisha
Company type	Public
Traded as	Template:Tyo Template:FSE
Industry	Energy Space Defense Aviation Logistics Engineering Data Center
Founded	July 7, 1884 (1884-07-07) (initial establishment) January 11, 1950 (1950-01-11) (incorporation)
Founder	Iwasaki Yatarō
Headquarters	Marunouchi Nijūbashi Building, Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Shunichi Miyanaga (chairman) Seiji Izumisawa (president & CEO)
Revenue	Template:Gain ¥4,657.1 billion (2023)
Operating income	Template:Gain ¥73.5 billion (2023)
Net income	Template:Gain ¥153.0 billion (2023)
Total assets	Template:Gain ¥6,256.3 billion (2023)
Total equity	Template:Gain ¥2,360.7 billion (2023)
Number of employees	100,153 (total) 22,375 (non-consolidated) 77,778 (consolidated) (as of September 30, 2024)
Divisions	Energy Systems Plants & Infrastructure Systems Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems Aircraft, Defense & Space
Subsidiaries	Mitsubishi Logisnext Mitsubishi FBR Systems Mitsubishi Power Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Primetals Technologies Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation MHI RJ Aviation Group
Website	{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}

is a Tokyo-based Japanese multinational corporation specializing in engineering, electrical machinery, and electronics. As a pivotal entity within the Mitsubishi Group, it preceded the establishment of Mitsubishi Motors through its automotive division.

The company's extensive product range includes aerospace and automotive parts, HVAC systems, elevators, forklifts, hydraulic machinery, printing equipment, missiles, armored vehicles, power generation systems, vessels, aircraft, railway technology, and space launch vehicles. In the defense sector, it ranked as the 23rd-largest global contractor by defense revenue in 2011 and stands as Japan's foremost defense manufacturer.

History

In 1857, responding to a request from the Tokugawa Shogunate, Dutch engineers led by naval specialist Hendrik Hardes initiated construction of the Nagasaki Yotetsusho (), a Western-style foundry and shipbuilding facility near Dejima in Nagasaki. This site was renamed Nagasaki Seitetsusho () in 1860 and completed by 1861. Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the government assumed control of the shipyard and finalized its first dry dock in 1879.

Mitsubishi's founder Yataro Iwasaki leased the Nagasaki Seitetsusho from the government in 1884, renaming it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works and expanding its shipbuilding capacity significantly. He acquired full ownership in 1887. The "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Yokohama Machinery Works" originated as Yokohama Dock Company, Ltd in 1891 and specialized in ship repair services by 1897. It was renamed Mitsubishi Shipyard of Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha in 1893 with additional dry docks completed in 1896 and again in 1905.

Established in 1914, the "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works" focused on manufacturing industrial equipment alongside merchant vessels.

The company was renamed Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Ltd. in 1917 and subsequently adopted the name Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1934. By then it had become Japan's largest private manufacturer of ships, heavy machinery, aircraft, and railway vehicles. In 1935 it merged with Yokohama Dock Company. The Nagasaki shipyards were heavily engaged with Imperial Japanese Navy contracts; notably constructing the battleship Musashi, launched in 1942. Due to these military associations, Nagasaki became a primary target for strategic bombing during World War II, culminating with the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945.

The Kobe Shipyard of Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha, founded in 1905 and merged into MHI by 1934, produced ocean liners such as Argentina Maru (which was later converted into the aircraft carrier Kaiyo) along with submarines including I-19 and I-25.

Following World War II and the dissolution of zaibatsu conglomerates, Mitsubishi was divided into three separate companies as of January 1950: Mitsubishi Nagasaki became West Japan Heavy Industries, Kobe turned into Central Japan Heavy-Industries, and Yokohama was designated East Japan Heavy-Industries. After occupation forces ended their control in April 1952 and zaibatsu names were reinstated on May 7 that year: West Japan Heavy Industries was renamed Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd., Central Japan Heavy Industries became Shin-Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K., trading as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Reorganized, while East Japan Heavy-Industries took on the name Mitsubishi Nippon Heavy Industries.

In 1964 these firms consolidated into Shin-Mitsubishi Jukogyo which was then renamed Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Subsequently, Nagasaki operations were designated as Nagasaki Shipyard & Engine Works, while Kobe operations became known as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works.

The automotive parts segment separated from MHI to form Mitsubishi Motors in 1970.

In 1974 a bombing targeted MHI’s Tokyo headquarters resulting in eight fatalities.

In January 2005 MHI joined Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group to inject ¥540 billion into rescuing Mitsubishi Motors financially. MHI purchased ¥50 billion worth of shares increasing its ownership to 15%, reestablishing corporate ties after previous product recall controversies.

In 1994 MHI inaugurated the Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum located in Yokohama dedicated to science and technology education.

By October 2009 MHI had secured an order from U.S.-based Trans States Holdings for up to one hundred regional jets.

In August 2011 MHI entered discussions with Hitachi about a potential merger that would have been historic for Japanese industry; however negotiations ultimately failed.

November 2012 saw MHI and Hitachi agree to merge their thermal power generation operations into a joint venture with MHI holding a majority stake of 65%. This joint venture operated from February 2014 until Hitachi returned its shares to MHI in 2020.

In June 2014 Siemens partnered with MHI to form joint ventures aiming to acquire Alstom’s energy and transportation sectors but were outbid by General Electric.

MHI commenced high-speed train manufacturing with the MLX01 SCMaglev vehicle introduced in 1995 but exited this market by 2017 due to high development costs related to the Mitsubishi SpaceJet program and disagreements over expenses with Central Japan Railway Company.

In February 2021 MHI divested its machine tools division to Nidec.

By June 2024 MHI announced it would discontinue production of newspaper rotary printing presses amid falling demand; at that time it controlled approximately half of Japan’s rotary press market share.

Aerospace

MHI maintains aerospace production sites located in Nagoya, Aichi, Komaki, Aichi, and Mississauga, Canada.

The company re-engaged in aerospace activities during the 1950s, playing a significant role in the design and manufacture of the NAMC YS-11, recognized as Japan’s first airliner developed after World War II. The initial aircraft design by MHI postwar was the Mitsubishi MU-2, which commenced development in 1956.

Within the defense sector, MHI has manufactured jet fighters for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and anti-submarine helicopters for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. This includes licensed production of 139 Mitsubishi F-15J fighters and 200 helicopters from the Sikorsky S-70 family, designated as Mitsubishi H-60. Additionally, the company produces aero-engines, missiles, torpedoes, and plays a key role in Japan's Ballistic Missile Defense System.

In space technology, MHI is responsible for producing Japan’s principal launch vehicles: previously the H-IIA and H-IIB rockets, and currently the H3 series. It provides launch services to organizations such as JAXA, KARI, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, and Inmarsat. Furthermore, MHI serves as a contractor for cargo spacecraft supplying the International Space Station program.

On 1 April 2008, MHI established Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation with the goal of developing the MRJ (later rebranded as SpaceJet), a regional airliner accommodating 70 to 90 passengers. MHI holds majority ownership while Toyota Motor Corporation owns a 10% stake.

On 12 December 2012, MHI expanded its gas turbine capabilities by acquiring Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, previously part of United Technologies’ small gas turbine division.

In civil aviation manufacturing, MHI produces key airframe components such as fuselage panels for the Boeing 777 and composite wing boxes for the 787. In June 2014, it joined a consortium tasked with supplying parts for Boeing’s 777X aircraft.

On 25 June 2019, MHI announced its intention to acquire Bombardier Aviation’s CRJ program, with completion anticipated in early 2020 subject to regulatory approval. This acquisition is set to enhance MHI’s capabilities in engineering, certification processes, customer relations, and support services. It also strengthens the SpaceJet program and opens opportunities for production within North America. The deal includes service centers located in Canada and the United States along with type certificates for the CRJ series. Bombardier retained ownership of its Mirabel assembly plant and continued CRJ production until existing orders were fulfilled. Following finalization on 1 June 2020, the aviation division was renamed MHI RJ Aviation Group.

MHI reported a financial loss during fiscal year 2020 partly due to delays affecting SpaceJet deliveries. The COVID-19 pandemic’s severe impact on global aviation led MHI to suspend the SpaceJet project.

Defense

Starting in 2010, MHI began manufacturing the Type 10 advanced main battle tank, priced at approximately $11.3 million per unit, intended to succeed the older Type 90 tank.

Energy

MHI’s nuclear energy operations include facilities situated in Kobe, Takasago, and Yokohama, alongside a nuclear fuel processing plant in Tōkai that handles about 440 metric tons of uranium each year.

The company developed the Mitsubishi APWR reactor design and formed a joint venture called Atmea with Areva to produce the ATMEA1 reactor model. Selected by Japan’s government as lead developer for next-generation Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) technology, MHI created Mitsubishi FBR Systems, Inc. to advance FBR and other Generation IV reactor developments.

In 2011, Mitsubishi introduced its Type-J gas turbines—the first combined-cycle models operating at temperatures around 1700°C—achieving over 60% efficiency thanks to innovations including single-crystal turbine blades and improved thermal barrier coatings.

By 2015, MHI was engaged in developing a $15.8 billion nuclear power plant project in Sinop, Turkey with partners Itochu and Engie; however, this project was canceled in January 2020 due to concerns about feasibility.

In an effort to expand its presence in Southeast Asia's energy sector, MHI pursued acquisition of Alstom’s energy business in 2014 and maintained interest in oil and gas industry acquisitions through 2015. Following financial difficulties faced by Areva, MHI acquired a 19% stake in its successor nuclear reactor entity renamed Framatome in 2018.

In 2020, MHI furthered its gas turbine business by acquiring Hitachi’s operations after merging their respective assets into a joint venture.

Through its subsidiary Mitsubishi Power, the company manufactures solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems as well as hybrid SOFC-micro gas turbine power generation units known as Megamie.

Shipbuilding

The shipbuilding sector forms a core component of MHI's business, tracing its origins back to 1884 with the acquisition of Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, which had been established in 1857. Over time, Mitsubishi developed into one of Japan's foremost shipbuilders, crafting both commercial vessels and military ships, notably including the World War II-era Yamato-class battleship Musashi.

MHI maintains shipyard facilities located in Nagasaki, Kobe, and Shimonoseki. The main entity, Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, specializes in constructing commercial ships such as LNG carriers and cruise liners.

On 1 January 2018, MHI restructured its shipbuilding division by creating two subsidiaries: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.—responsible for vessels requiring sophisticated outfitting and primarily based in Yokohama, Shimonoseki, and Nagasaki—and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Structure Co., Ltd., which focuses on large-scale ships and marine structures.

Toward the end of 2019, MHI initiated discussions to sell its Koyagi Nagasaki shipyard to Oshima Shipbuilding as part of a strategy to withdraw from LNG carrier production. In December of that year, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding successfully delivered its inaugural fuel gas supply system designed for marine LNG engines.

In June 2020, MHI entered negotiations to acquire Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding’s naval and patrol vessel segment, aiming to strengthen Japan’s defense manufacturing sector. The transaction was anticipated to conclude by October 2021, subject to regulatory clearance.

On 17 January 2022, MHI’s autonomous vessel Soleil completed a sea voyage spanning 240 kilometers from Shinmoji to the Iyonada Sea at speeds reaching 26 knots. This milestone showcased cutting-edge unmanned maritime technology developed in collaboration with Shin Nihonkai Ferry.

At LIMA 2023, MHI introduced its Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) concept, emphasizing its capabilities in naval innovation.

By February 2025, MHI announced plans to broaden its Australian presence with an eye toward securing contracts related to Mogami-class frigates. Subsequently, on 5 August 2025, Australia designated MHI as the preferred bidder for a $10 billion frigate program based on the Mogami-class design.

Wind power

By December 2009, MHI had installed wind turbines generating over 3,282 MW globally, mainly consisting of 1 MW and 2.4 MW units. The company has been advancing development of offshore turbines with a capacity of 7 MW, with testing scheduled in Europe during 2013. On 27 September 2013, MHI partnered with Vestas Wind Systems to establish the joint venture MHI Vestas Offshore Wind aimed at offshore wind energy projects utilizing Vestas' V164 8.0MW turbine model. In 2020, MHI acquired a 2.5% equity stake in Vestas by transferring its half ownership of the joint venture back to Vestas and receiving five million newly issued shares.

Products

MHI’s diverse product range encompasses:

• Aerospace systems
  • Aircraft
    • Both historical and contemporary military aircraft such as the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, F-1, F-2, F-15J, and the experimental X-2 Shinshin
    • Commercial airplanes including the Mitsubishi MU-2 and MU-300 Diamond series as well as Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft (acquired from Bombardier Aerospace in 2019 and rebranded under MHI RJ Aviation Group)
  • Space launch vehicles
    • H-I series (licensed from McDonnell-Douglas), H-II series, and the H3 rocket
  • Spacecraft and satellites
    • Components such as the Kibo module on the ISS, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) series, and lunar exploration missions

• Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment

• Defense products
  • Armored vehicles including the Type 16 maneuver combat vehicle and Type 99 self-propelled howitzer
  • Main battle tanks like the Type 10 and Type 90 Kyū-maru
  • Missile systems comprising air-to-air missiles (AAM series) and surface-to-ship missiles such as Type 12
  • Naval vessels including destroyers (Atago-class, Kongō-class), submarines (Oyashio-class, Sōryū-class), and patrol boats
  • Torpedoes

• Desalination technology

• Diesel engine manufacturing

• Electric buses

• Energy equipment
  • Fossil fuel power generation components including boilers, combined cycle plants, gas turbines, and steam turbines
  • Fuel cell technology
  • Renewable energy solutions featuring wind turbines
  • Traction battery systems

• Material handling machinery such as forklifts

• Industrial machinery
  • Injection molding machines, machine tools, compressors, paper processing equipment

• Beverage dispensing systems (including Pepsi Spire)

• Railway vehicles
  • Automated people movers like Crystal Mover
  • Metro cars for MTR (K-stock developed with Rotem) and Manila MRT Line 3 light rail vehicles produced in cooperation with ČKD Tatra
  • Traction motors

• Robotics including the MEISTeR robot

• Ships and marine structures
  • Cruise liners such as Sapphire Princess, Diamond Princess, Amadea, Asuka II, AIDAprima, AIDAperla
  • Ferries alongside LNG/LPG carriers and oil tankers
  • Deep-submergence vehicles including Shinkai 2000 and Shinkai 6500
  • Ocean-going drilling vessel Chikyū

• Turbocharger manufacturing

Controversies

In 2015, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) issued an apology and provided reparations to Chinese individuals subjected to forced labor during World War II. Nevertheless, Yonhap News Agency criticized MHI for compensating Chinese victims while overlooking those from Korea.

On 28 November 2018, the South Korea Supreme Court mandated that MHI compensate 10 surviving Korean forced labor victims from the Japanese colonial period with 150 million won (approximately $133,000). This decision also extended financial redress to 18 relatives of other plaintiffs who had initiated lawsuits prior to 2008. All 28 claimants had previously faced dismissal of their cases by Japan's Supreme Court in 2008.

The Japanese government contested the South Korean court's ruling, referencing the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and South Korea, which it asserts settled all claims regarding property and rights arising from the colonial era.

Amid the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, MHI chose not to withdraw from the Russian market. Research conducted by Yale University as of April 2022 identified MHI among firms that "resisted calls for exit or reduction of operations" within Russia.