Intellectual Property

Promoting the Solution of Social Issues and Value Creation
Strategic Creation, Protection, and Utilization of Intellectual Property

For example, regarding global environmental problems, in the field of gas turbines that achieve both high efficiency and economy, we are contributing broadly to society by solving the environmental and energy issues of various countries by providing the technology and intellectual property that we have refined over many years to overseas partners. In the field of CO₂ capture, we are building an excellent intellectual property portfolio in terms of quality and quantity by continuously acquiring valuable patents that utilize characteristic data from various combustion products, including gas turbines. This leads to providing customers with plants that achieve decarbonization and economic efficiency as quickly as possible.

Regarding constructing a safe and secure society, we are actively investing in building an intellectual property network for power supplies and cooling systems that support the stable operation of data centers by highly applying thermal management technologies for a wide range of temperature zones and temperature differences cultivated in various products. Furthermore, we actively promote intellectual property activities in intelligence -related technologies such as unmanned and autonomous operations.

In this way, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group acquires various technologies, data, and insights through its diverse business operations and has the strength to organically connect these intellectual properties, in collaboration with external partners. Additionally, from the upstream stages such as product planning and research and development, we strategically integrate the creation, protection, and utilization plans of intellectual property, providing momentum to solve social issues and create value.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group will continue to promote intellectual property activities rooted in social value, with the goal of enriching lives and contributing to a better future for all.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
CEO

Eisaku Ito

Promoting the Solution of Social Issues and Value Creation
Strategic Creation, Protection, and Utilization of Intellectual Property

For example, regarding global environmental problems, in the field of gas turbines that achieve both high efficiency and economy, we are contributing broadly to society by solving the environmental and energy issues of various countries by providing the technology and intellectual property that we have refined over many years to overseas partners. In the field of CO₂ capture, we are building an excellent intellectual property portfolio in terms of quality and quantity by continuously acquiring valuable patents that utilize characteristic data from various combustion products, including gas turbines. This leads to providing customers with plants that achieve decarbonization and economic efficiency as quickly as possible.

Regarding constructing a safe and secure society, we are actively investing in building an intellectual property network for power supplies and cooling systems that support the stable operation of data centers by highly applying thermal management technologies for a wide range of temperature zones and temperature differences cultivated in various products. Furthermore, we actively promote intellectual property activities in intelligence -related technologies such as unmanned and autonomous operations.

In this way, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group acquires various technologies, data, and insights through its diverse business operations and has the strength to organically connect these intellectual properties, in collaboration with external partners. Additionally, from the upstream stages such as product planning and research and development, we strategically integrate the creation, protection, and utilization plans of intellectual property, providing momentum to solve social issues and create value.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group will continue to promote intellectual property activities rooted in social value, with the goal of enriching lives and contributing to a better future for all.

The recent global trend towards an energy transition is not limited to addressing environmental problems. This is an extremely high-priority issue for companies like ours operating in the energy sector.

Concentrated Investment of Technical Development Resources in Key Measures

Our company, which has been solving social issues through manufacturing, including in the energy sector, for many years, possesses the technology of a manufacturing company accumulated over a long period and a broad and diverse intellectual property portfolio built on it. By maximizing this portfolio, we can efficiently solve our customers' various challenges while fulfilling our responsibility to contribute to our customers' businesses and society.

For a company like ours, which has the responsibility to provide products and services to diverse customers worldwide, providing realistic solutions to these challenges is not easy to achieve by our group alone. What becomes essential is building partnerships across the entire value chain to tackle these issues together. Our group, which has been engaged in a wide variety of businesses, believes that it can serve as a hub for building a value chain that truly benefits our customers by collaborating with companies and research institutions other than ourselves through mechanisms that allow us to mutually utilize technology and intellectual property.

Managing and Utilizing Intellectual Property with a High Sense of Integrity

Our intellectual property department focuses on developing specialists who can contribute throughout the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group. Building and utilizing our intellectual property portfolio requires specialists who understand our technologies, are well-versed in the relevant technical fields, and can apply global intellectual property laws and regulations.

We aim to build relationships of co-existence and co-prosperity with our customers, business partners, and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group through the development and intellectual property creation of proprietary technologies that help solve social issues.

Realizing MISSION NET ZERO

Responding with Technology to Realize an Energy Transition

Realizing an energy transition is a global challenge. To address this challenge, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group announced its 2040 Carbon Neutral Declaration, "MISSION NET ZERO."

As a leader with a long history of development and manufacturing, spanning over a century, in various industrial sectors, including thermal power generation systems, nuclear power generation, and energy supply businesses, our group is expected to take the lead in climate change countermeasures.

We are engaged in research and development in the energy transition technologies we promote, such as demonstration studies for the realization of a hydrogen society, covering hydrogen production and power generation at the Takasago Hydrogen Park and Nagasaki Carbon Neutral Park, and decarbonization through fuel conversion from fossil fuels (ammonia combustion technology, biomass synthetic fuel production technology, etc.).

In response to these business strategies and technological development strategies (management policies), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group has been increasing its intellectual property investment in energy transition-related technologies in recent years.

Contributing to Enhancing Business Competitiveness
High-Quality Patents

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group's role and what is expected of us is to accelerate the challenges towards achieving the energy transition.

Accelerating the challenge toward achieving the energy transition. This is both our mission and the expectation placed upon Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group.

In the gas turbine field, we have been promoting continuous technological development. In recent years, we have been able to expand our profits. In doing so, regarding the patents created through technological development, we have continued activities to increase the number of patents while enhancing the overall value of the patents.

As a result, the number of times our related patent portfolio has been cited (citation count) in patent examinations of the same field by the Japan Patent Office has increased significantly compared to before. Generally, the citation count indicates the influence of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group's patents on technological development in the relevant field, and the increase in citation count indicates that the quality of patents has improved in terms of influence.

Regarding new fields, we are also building a patent portfolio that is mindful of the connection between business profits and intellectual property and focuses on patent value. In particular, we are making every effort to build a patent portfolio to address new fuels (hydrogen and ammonia), for which future market expansion is expected. The total value of patents in this field has significantly increased.

Leading with Patents
CO₂Capture and Storage Technology

In this field, we are actively engaged in technological development. We are filing numerous patent applications that are attracting significant attention. We are working towards realizing a CO₂ ecosystem that covers the entire CO₂ value chain, from capture to conversion and utilization.

At Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, we actively promote various licensing activities to build a licensing network based on our intellectual property strategy to achieve the energy transition.

Furthermore, we are strengthening our intellectual property investments in climate change countermeasure technologies related to the realization of "MISSION NET ZERO. " Non-fossil fuel power generation, such as nuclear power generation (innovative light water reactors) and green steel (hydrogen reduction steelmaking), contributes to the stable supply of clean energy and decarbonization, which are global social issues.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, which is working to solve various social issues, develops and provides innovative products and technologies that support national security in social and industrial infrastructure, as well as land, sea, and air, to the world. To support our global business, we are strengthening overseas patent applications, focusing on major countries such as the United States, Europe, and China, in addition to Japan. Please refer to the MHI Report (Integrated Report) for trends in the number of patent applications.

• MHI Report 2024

Towards the Realization of a Safe, Secure, and Comfortable Society

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group has a track record of contributing to social development since its founding, including building critical infrastructure and challenging unknown worlds such as space and the deep sea, as well as a wealth of knowledge. By integrating and applying these, we are promoting the construction of flexible, robust, and excellent labor savings systems.

Building a society where people can live safely and securely is essential for realizing a prosperous life. We aim to realize a safe social infrastructure not only by making our own individual mechanical systems intelligent and autonomous but also by achieving collaboration among the mechanical systems surrounding society and, furthermore, making social systems intelligent, enabling "Smart Connections."

One example is the provision of infrastructure solutions for data centers, whose importance has been increasing in recent years.

The infrastructure technology (power, cooling, digital) that supports the stable operation of data centers must not only offer reliability but also deliver innovative cooling capabilities that support high computational loads, as well as outstanding energy efficiency.

In addition to our rich technical infrastructure in power and cooling, we are working to strengthen our patent portfolio in the digital field, by promoting intellectual property investment (patent applications, etc.) in "machine intelligence-related technologies". This includes the OT (Operational Technology)/IT (Information Technology) fields, particularly unmanned and autonomous technologies.

We will provide green and sustainable one-stop solutions by "intelligently connecting" the high infrastructure technology base we have cultivated thus far.

• About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Data Centers

Enhancing the Value of Brand Intellectual Property

To ensure that a wide range of customers understand Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group's products, solutions, and services that address social issues such as energy transition, we are working to enhance the value of our technology brands, including strengthening trademark registrations.

The solutions brand behind Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group’s DX infrastructure

One example is 'ΣSynX' (SigmaSynX), a digital innovation brand that leverages our company's unique operational data related to digital technology and automates and intelligently connects entire products. Towards realizing a safe and secure social infrastructure, we are promoting activities to intelligent various product groups and realizing new human-machine collaboration by enabling "Smart Connections" using digital technology.

External Awards

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group's intellectual property activities have been evaluated by external parties. To ensure a world where people around the globe can live with peace of mind, we will continue to engage in intellectual property activities that originate from social value.

Clarivate Top 100
Global Innovator

Selected for 'Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators 2025' by Clarivate, a global information services company. We were chosen as one of the leading companies/research institutions at the pinnacle of the world's innovation ecosystem, which is selected once a year.
This award is based on Clarivate's unique intellectual property/patent trend analysis of company patent data. It is supported by innovators worldwide as an index that accurately grasps the ecosystem and its impact.

• About Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators

IAM's Asia IP Elite

In June 2024, IAM (Intellectual Asset Management), an international intellectual property media outlet, selected us for the '2024 Asia IP Elite'. As a global engineering and manufacturing company, we were recognized and awarded for strategically increasing our patent applications overseas, including in the United States, Europe, and China.

• About IAM's Asia IP Elite

DX Grand Prix 2024

In May 2024, we received the 'DX Grand Prix 2024' from among the companies selected for the Digital Transformation (DX) Stock 2024, which is jointly selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the Information-Technology Promotion Agency, Japan. We were selected as the Grand Prix company as a 'company leading the digital age,' marking our first win.

Mechanical Industry
Patent Asset Scale Ranking 2024

In November 2024, Patent Result Inc., a company providing patent analysis software services, ranked us second in the "Mechanical Industry Patent Asset Scale Ranking 2024." Technologies such as gas turbine equipment compatible with new fuels (hydrogen and ammonia) and thermal power plants capable of flexibly responding to external power generation fluctuations are cited as highly noteworthy patents.

Invention Awards and others

National Invention Awards (Organized by: Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation)

A historical invention award system that began in 1919 (Taisho 8) with the aim of contributing to the improvement of science and technology and the development of industry. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group received the Imperial Gift Invention Prize, the highest award of this program, in 1971 (Showa 46), receiving an Imperial donation.

Recent Major Awards

Regional Invention Awards (Organized by: Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation)

This system began in 1921 (Taisho 10) to recognize engineers and researchers who have created outstanding inventions, devices, or designs being implemented. It is implemented by dividing the country into 8 regions (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu) based on how much the invention contributes to regional industry.

Recent Major Awards

Good Design Award (Organized by: Japan Institute of Design Promotion)

This comprehensive design evaluation and recommendation system was established in 1957 (Showa 32). It does not simply select beautiful designs but comprehensively judges whether the design improves the quality of life and industry and recognizes "good designs" that enrich society.

Recent Major Awards

Year	Award	Award Winner	Name of Invention	Design
2024	Good Design Award	Tamachi Building (Ltd.) / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Ltd.) / Mitsubishi Estate (Ltd.) / High-Rise Office Building	Tamachi Tower See Details (link)
2022	Good Design Best 100	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Ltd.)	Plant Autonomous Inspection Robot "EX ROVR Series ASCENT" See Details (link)
2021	Good Design Award	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Ltd.)	AM-Zone "AM-Zone Additive Manufacturing Open Factory" See Details (link)
	Good Design Award	Hiroshima Rapid Transit Co., Ltd. / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering Co., Ltd.	"Astram Line 7000 Series" See Details (link)
2020	Good Design Award	Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd.	Electric Counterbalance Forklift "ALESIS Series (0.9-3.5t)" See Details (link)

Intellectual Property Management Structure

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group operates organically linked intellectual property activities. Under the direction of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries CTO, intellectual property managers are appointed to manage intellectual property in each domestic and international business division. By promoting intellectual property management through these managers, we are leveraging the strengths of our conglomerate.

To contribute to "MISSION NET ZERO" and the realization of a safe, secure, and comfortable society, each business division formulates intellectual property strategies that originate from social value based on the group's common intellectual property policy. We are promoting the intellectual property protection of highly advantageous unique technologies and the development of our intellectual property portfolio.

Education and Human Resource Development

We systematically conduct domestic and international intellectual property training and internal rotations with business, research, and development divisions. We strive to improve the capabilities of individuals and the entire intellectual property department and help them acquire the necessary specialized skills, thereby leading to the development and utilization of intellectual property personnel within the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group.

Strategy Department: Mr. Kimura

It's been six years since I transferred from the intellectual property department of a manufacturer. At Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, I could handle a wide range of products and gain various experiences. It is rewarding because I can contribute to society with the technologies I've helped create. After joining the company, I was thoroughly instructed, so I was able to proceed with my work without anxiety. I've engaged in various tasks, such as patent analysis and licensing activities, and I've experienced the breadth of intellectual property work. There are also internship programs and events for students, so please come and talk to the actual employees.

Application/Rights Acquisition Department: Ms. Kitamura

It's been seven years since I joined the company as a new graduate. I decided to join because I heard I could be in charge of one product during the company information session and thought I could experience the upstream and downstream aspects of intellectual property work. I have many opportunities to communicate with various people, such as those in the business divisions, and I build a casual relationship in my daily communication. I have also participated in external organization activities, interacted with intellectual property department members from other companies, and experienced a business trip to Europe. I'd like to tell students interested in intellectual property that many are often torn between research and development, but please choose intellectual property.

Work at the Intellectual Property Department

To students who are interested in a career at our company:

We also have internship programs for students and hold job-hunting events periodically. Please take a look at the recruitment video introducing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' intellectual property department from the URL below.

MHI JOBCON Online Seminar: Introduction to the Intellectual Property Department (This video is for students graduating in 2026)

• Introduction to the Intellectual Property Department Video