About Mitsubishi Electric Factory AutomationThe Road to Automating the WorldInterviews with People Involved in the Factory Automation Systems Business
Becoming a Leader in creating a richer Life through Developments Created from Different PerspectivesAkihito Kibita
Head of Measurement Device Development Team, Power Distribution System Department.2, Fukuyama Works
Joined Mitsubishi Electric in 2015
2025-12
Mitsubishi Electric’s FA systems business aims to enable employees to fully demonstrate their ideas, technologies, and beliefs to achieve the common goal of “Automating the World.”
Through the “Road to Automating the World” series, we share their authentic voices from around the world.
In this article, we interviewed Akihito Kibita, who works on the development of energy measuring modules at Fukuyama Works.
Developing Measuring Instruments to support Monozukuri (the Art of Manufacturing)
── How did you come to join Mitsubishi Electric?
Kibita:I wanted to be involved in a field connected to monozukuri — the art of manufacturing — as a career, so I majored in engineering at university. My actual job hunting was focused on local companies. Fortunately, I had a chance to visit Mitsubishi Electric’s Fukuyama Works, where I learned that even the small springs used in the company’s products were manufactured in-house. That experience led to me believing that I could be part of manufacturing here even down to the finest detail. Additionally, a number of alumni at my university were working at Mitsubishi Electric, so I had a chance to talk to them. The wide areas of business operation, as well as the large scale of manufacturing, also inspired me to join the company.
── What sort of job responsibilities have you had so far at Mitsubishi Electric?
Kibita:I have been continuously involved in the development of energy measuring modules since I joined the company. My current responsibilities are mainly the planning of products and the design of software to achieve higher energy efficiency. Additionally, I am working on planning and development to expand usage in new areas and applications.
── Could you elaborate on those new areas.
Kibita:This may sound surprising, but we are targeting the production departments within manufacturing companies. Mitsubishi Electric’s FA products are already widely used in many production sites; however, that is not the case for energy measuring modules. To date, the majority of our customers have been departments focused on carbon-neutrality initiatives.
As the name suggests, energy measuring modules measure the amount of electricity, so it is difficult for workers to recognize the direct impact on manufacturing processes. My goal is to develop energy measuring modules that will be chosen by on-site personnel and introduced into manufacturing sites alongside our FA products.
── Is there anything you specifically keep in mind during development?
Kibita:I try to have different perspectives, as well as my viewpoint as a developer. I prioritize the customers’ perspective by asking questions like, “What do they truly need?” I do this to increase acceptance and adoption of our products on the production floor.
Creating Something Indispensable for the Customer
── Could you give us any anecdotes that helped you realize the importance of broad perspectives?
Kibita:When I was involved in expanding a product’s functions, I initially thought I had perfected it. However, later I realized that I could have done better. In the development stage, your perspective is fixed on a single point of view as a developer. However, I felt that a single angle was not sufficient. Some things could only become visible when taking a bird’s-eye view and looking at them from different perspectives. Since then, I have been trying to keep in mind the fact that there are always customers at the end of my work. As I work on development, I try to keep an eye on various aspects, such as how customers will use them and what problems customers currently have.
── How is that reflected in your current job?
Kibita:I value measuring from the customers’ perspective rather than just measuring electricity data. That means I focus on why customers measure, what data to collect, and how to analyze it so that it can effectively benefit manufacturing sites. I am currently working on energy-efficiency support, which is socially important but whose necessity is not yet widely recognized on the production floor. Therefore, I visit customers’ manufacturing sites in person to hear their real feedback and develop products with a focus on what on-site personnel actually need.
── Please share your objectives and vision.
Kibita:I believe that Mitsubishi Electric’s monozukuri approach helps in solving problems for people and companies, and supports a richer way of life. That’s why it is important to provide things that are truly indispensable.
In the case of energy measuring modules, if we can offer high added-value proposals based on current/voltage data, for example, adding functions that can detect equipment abnormalities, they will become even more essential for our customers.
As a comprehensive manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric can deliver unique solutions by combining Fukuyama Works’ power distribution devices with its wider FA product lineup and products from its other business areas. Through these combinations, I believe that Mitsubishi Electric will become a driving force in enhancing people’s daily lives.
*This article is based on interviews conducted in December 2025.
