Fostering a sustainable future in Japan - where tradition meets innovation
Web Story
4min
2025-05-12
Steeped in tradition, yet a powerhouse of industrial modernity, Japan has a proud reputation for technological innovation that has helped its economy become one of the world’s largest.
Japan’s capital, Tokyo, hosts ABB Formula E this weekend
Its government has made net-zero emission pledges for 2050 as it moves to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels under the Green Transformation (GX) Policy. This is built on a public and private investment package of $1 trillion over the next ten years, with the aim of achieving decarbonization, energy security and economic growth.
Helping Japan’s industries to outrun – leaner and cleaner, through the adoption of more energy-efficient solutions, is at the heart of ABB’s offering in the country, where we have more than 600 employees across 13 sites.
Collaborating in Japan since 1907
Our presence can be traced back to 1907, when one of ABB’s predecessor companies opened an office in Yokohama. Since then, our operations have grown to encompass a nationwide service network that includes a global manufacturing facility for ABB painting equipment. Deep local market knowledge has been key to ABB’s success over the decades, resulting in highlights such as:
1965
Mercury rectifier installed at the Sakuma Frequency Converter Station, connecting power in the east and west of Japan.1993
Establishment of a worldwide R&D and production center for ABB paint atomizer products in Shizuoka Prefecture.2020
Invention of the Pixel Paint process.2024
Largest share of market for DC EV chargersAs ABB Formula E returns to Japan this weekend, for the second Tokyo E-Prix, we explore some of the ways in which ABB is helping Japanese industry to outrun – leaner and cleaner.
Tokuyama Nanyo cement plant
ABB Ability Expert Optimizer controls the calciner, kiln, and cooler processes at the Nanyo plant.
At the Tokuyama Nanyo plant, in Japan’s south-west Yamaguchi prefecture, the ABB Ability Expert Optimizer is helping one of the country’s largest cement factories to operate more efficiently.
The advanced system controls, stabilizes and optimizes industrial processes across the calciner, kiln and cooler. Our solution has reduced thermal energy consumption in the kiln by three percent and reduced the number of manual tasks performed by plant operators by around 70 percent.
First electric tugboat in Tokyo harbour
The Taiga, Japan’s first electric tugboat, has operated in Tokyo Bay since 2023
ABB’s electrification solutions extend into Tokyo’s waterways, thanks to our collaboration with an electrified tugboat project.
The first vessel of its kind in Japan – The Taiga – has been created for Japanese towage specialist Tokyo Kisen Co. Ltd for use in the ports of Tokyo Bay and started operation in January 2023.
The Taiga supports Japan’s ambition of achieving net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050, without compromising performance. The tug features Onboard DC Grid™, to enable simple, flexible and functional integration of energy sources and loads.
Supporting production of high-quality glass fiber
Our solutions help to stabilize Nitto’s Fukushima production line
Our PCS100 AVC-40 Active Voltage Conditioner is protecting a part of the production line at Nitto Glass Fiber Industries, in Koriyama City, Fukushima.
Nitto is a leading producer of glass fiber used for electronic materials, such as printed circuit boards used in smartphones.
Protecting production equipment from voltage sags helps avoid unexpected production equipment stoppages and prevents equipment damage – thus ensuring production schedules are met and losses minimized.
For a close look at how ABB is helping key Japanese industries, click on the links below.