February 4, 2010

Hitachi to Launch Special Edition of Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative

Hitachi Group celebrates 100th anniversary with the Launch of Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative Alumni Forum

Singapore, 4 February 2010 – Hitachi Asia Ltd. today announced that it will hold a special edition of the long-running community relations programme, the Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI) in mid-July this year. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hitachi, Ltd., Singapore will host the HYLI Alumni Forum, which will bring together about 100 alumni from the past 14 years to discuss the theme “Driving Asia to a New Paradigm – What is Asia’s role in the global Arena?”

Hitachi’s first Asian business was back in 1929, when mining locomotive trains were exported to Zunkun Mining Company in the former British colony of Malaya. A Representative Office was later established in Singapore in 1963, since then Hitachi has continued to develop for a further 46 years. Today, the Hitachi Group of Companies in Singapore totals 29 entities, with staff strength of 5,000 people and generating a turnover of 370 billion yen (approximately S$5.5billion).

At the same time, the Group is conscious of its role as a good corporate citizen and its corporate social responsibility. In 1996, Hitachi Asia inaugurated the Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative in Singapore. Nine HYLIs and 14 years later, Singapore is hosting this forum again. The 10th forum is significant because it is a ‘special edition’ for the Group’s centennial events.

Mr Takayuki Hirota, Managing Director for Hitachi Asia Ltd. said, “Over the past century, the world has changed greatly but we have never lost the spirit to care for our society. To celebrate 100 years of dedicated effort to contribute to society, Hitachi will continue to nurture future decision-makers with the special HYLI Alumni Forum.”

“This 10th edition of HYLI will bring together HYLI alumni members who joined us as far back as 1996. Having nurtured more than 224 young leaders over the past 14 years, hosting this forum once again in Singapore symbolises the legacy and vibrant journey of HYLI.”

Themed Driving Asia to a New Paradigm – What is Asia’s role in the global arena?, the event will see the congregation of past HYLI student-participants, who have since established themselves as a group of high achievers in respective fields, thought leaders and prominent persons from various parts of Asia.

During the event in mid-July this year, the HYLI Alumni Forum participants will discuss and debate on a series of pressing issues affecting Asia. Established in their own fields of expertise, the HYLI Alumni Forum serves as a crucible for the alumni’s multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary perspectives to crystallise their ideas into viable solutions for Asia and beyond.

Apart from the HYLI alumni members, government officials, prominent business leaders, Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) representatives and respected academia will also be invited to speak at the event 2-day event.

The 14-year-old HYLI logo has also been refreshed for a more contemporary feel in line with today’s youth and their ideals. The logo symbolises Hitachi’s commitment to reach out to the young Asian stars of tomorrow.

Looking forward to the next 100 years, Hitachi Asia continues their commitment in inspiring the next generation and to be the company that continues to grow strong in the 21st century. One of which by participating in Infrastructure Asia 2010 Conference & Exhibition hosted by the government of Indonesia and supported by UN ESCAP in association with the World Bank & ADB, which will be held on 14-17 April 2010 at Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran.

Infrastructure Asia 2010 is Asia’s premier infrastructure forum and the exclusive private sector interface with the upcoming “Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Public & Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Development (APMC PPP 2010)”. A wide range of Hitachi’s products and services such as gas / steam turbines, switchgears, excavators, water & waste-water treatment, lightning protections systems and wide area wireless sensor network will be exhibited during the event. Visitors will experience the collective expertise of Hitachi Group at the Infrastructure Asia at Hall A, booth #8.

Mr. Taga said, “Hitachi’s corporate credo is to contribute to society through technology. Towards this end, Hitachi is pleased to showcase our advanced and eco-friendly technologies for the current and future development of Indonesia.”