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Mitsubishi Electric joins Gaia-X Mitsubishi Electric relies on international cooperation and exchange in European data project to achieve SDGs

RATINGEN, April 7, 2022 - Mitsubishi Electric, through the German branch of its European subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. is one of the first Japanese companies to join the European data infrastructure project ‘Gaia-X’. The project aims to realise a secure, rule-based and trustworthy industrial data flow for sustainable transformation and societal innovation. As a technologically broad-based and global company, Mitsubishi Electric aims to achieve digital and sustainable transformation against the backdrop of social challenges and common goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Japan has formulated a government program called "Society 5.0," which is a vision for the future that sees digitalisation as an opportunity to address current and future challenges through positive use of technology. In addition to solving urgent social challenges, this should also enable further economic development. In this context, Japan sees data as a new resource that should be used accordingly, and this is a viewpoint that Mitsubishi Electric fully shares. The company, which has been known for over 100 years for its innovations in areas such as electrification and automation is focusing on industrial data, the volume of which is increasing rapidly.

The regulated flow of industrial data opens up new avenues for technological collaboration, which in turn creates the basis for building a new, innovative world. In particular, sustainable transformation for climate protection has now become a key prerequisite for innovation, prosperity and competitiveness. And since the underlying ideas and implementation models of "Society 5.0" and "Industry 4.0" are already very similar, the initiative around industrial data is building on fertile ground and enabling great potential, by deepening cooperation against the backdrop of shared societal challenges.

Gaia-X: A project for digital transformation

For data to be shared and for companies to drive their digital transformation, the framework for sharing data in a sovereign, rule-based, and trustworthy manner must be created. This is a project that Gaia-X is now pursuing for Europe. At its core, Gaia-X is creating the conditions for the flow and use of data to become broadly interoperable, autonomous, and sustainable. Representatives from business, politics and science from Europe and around the world are working very closely together on this goal, which was first presented to the general public in 2021 with the founding of the non-profit association “Gaia-X Association” that currently holds more than 335 members. Further details are available on the site here.

Mitsubishi Electric wants to contribute to the creation of a networked and secure data infrastructure through the Gaia-X project. This is the basic requirement for companies to be able to realize linked added value jointly with their customers and partners, to develop innovations for solving social challenges and for economic development, which ultimately leads to the realization of "Society 5.0".

Andreas Wagner, President of Mitsubishi Electric Europe’s German branch (Image: Mitsubishi Electric)

Andreas Wagner, President of Mitsubishi Electric Europe’s German branch in Ratingen, is convinced of the necessity of the Gaia-X project in view of the global challenges: "Only if the digitisation of industry is successful and energy-use becomes more efficient and ecological, can we create a more climate-friendly world. International cooperation and the fact that data can be shared more easily following a rule-based framework will be key. Digital transformation is the driver of sustainable development and represents a great opportunity for positive societal innovation."

About Mitsubishi Electric

With 100 years of experience in providing reliable and high-quality products, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKIO: 6503) is a globally recognized leader in the manufacturing, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment for information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, mobility and building technology. Following "Changes for the Better," Mitsubishi Electric strives to enrich society with technology. The company had consolidated sales of $37.8 billion* at the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2021. For more information, visit: http://www.MitsubishiElectric.com
  1. *U.S. dollar amounts are converted at an exchange rate of 111 yen for 1 U.S. dollar, the approximate exchange rate on the Tokyo Foreign Exchange as of March 31, 2021.Sales offices, research companies and development centers, and manufacturing facilities are located in more than 30 countries.

Mitsubishi Electric has been represented in Germany since 1978 as a branch of Mitsubishi Electric Europe. Mitsubishi Electric Europe is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in Tokyo.

  1. *Conversion rate 111 Yen = 1 US Dollar, as of 03/31/2021 (Source: Tokyo Foreign Exchange)

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