SUBARU Aerospace Company is located at Nakajima Aircraft Company's former premises.
The new main administration building constructed on these premises has become the first in the SUBARU Group to obtain ZEB certification (Nearly ZEB).
Here is a video introducing the collaborative initiatives with Mitsubishi Electric in the leadup to accomplish this goal.

Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd, a company that has rolled out global brands in the automotive and aerospace fields, changed its name to SUBARU Corporation in 2017.
At the same time, it formulated a new environmental policy, and in 2018, the "Aerospace Company New Building ZEB Conversion Project" was launched as part of this.
We spoke with Ms. Saori Ishimura of SUBARU Corporation’s Aerospace Company about the details of how this project came about, why SUBARU chose Mitsubishi Electric as a project partner, how the project unfolded at the time and future expectation.

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Looking back on the transition over the last few years, Ms. Ishimura recalls "When we changed our name to SUBARU in 2017, as part of consolidating our branding, we declared that SUBARU is a company ‘Delivering Happiness to All’ and stated in our new environmental policy that ‘The earth, the sky and nature’ are SUBARU’s fields of business."

"The Aerospace Company’s New Building ZEB Conversion Project launched in 2018 was conceived from our strengthened commitment to utilizing natural energy and coexisting with nature as part of our new environmental policy – therefore it can definitely be described as a project inspired by the newborn SUBARU’s corporate philosophy."

The new building is an office building occupied by the employees of SUBARU Aerospace Company. The construction site was a section of the former Nakajima Aircraft factory site.

"This location is where Nakajima Aircraft factory once stood, so there were many buildings built right after the end of WW2. For that reason, we had been renewing these buildings one by one to date, however they were mostly factory buildings, so achieving ZEB was difficult.
The new building is an office building that is used by employees, so we decided to get serious about achieving ZEB."

It is clear that the Aerospace Company New Building ZEB Conversion Project arose due to the company name change and formulation of a new environmental policy as a manifestation of SUBARU employees’ unwavering resolve to help protect the environment.

- I’ve heard that Mitsubishi Electric provided information and proposals related to ZEB since the initial planning stage.

"It was our first attempt at achieving a ZEB building, not only for a business branch, but also for the entire SUBARU Group, so when the plan was first formed, Mitsubishi Electric, whom we had an existing relationship with, generously offered their advice regarding any gray areas we weren’t sure of."

Ms. Ishimura elaborates by saying that, thanks to exhaustive, concrete proposals, it became clear what the team had to do.

"Mitsubishi Electric’s proposals gave us concrete tips regarding how to obtain ZEB certification, namely, in addition to being self-sufficient in energy through solar power generation, other requirements included building structure and energy-saving performance of equipment. Also, Mitsubishi Electric made us aware of the fact that there are various ZEB rankings. As a result, our project team became aware at an early stage of exactly what we had to do in order to obtain ZEB certification."

Ms. Ishimura continues to say that the prompt proposals provided in the initial stage by Mitsubishi Electric were a major factor in choosing the same company as a partner.

"Our decision was majorly influenced by Mitsubishi Electric outputting the ZEB calculations and providing us with proposals so swiftly despite the fact we were still only at the stage of a rough overview of the building plan.
If we provided them with sample data, they provided us with several straightforward proposals.
From the very early days of this project, Mitsubishi Electric was right by our side supporting us, so we never even considered competing with another company."

- I heard that later on, SUBARU issued a purchase order to the design company stating "We will engage in a joint study with Mitsubishi Electric."

"When we first formulated the plan, Mitsubishi Electric told us that our ZEB building, which would exceed 10,000 sq meters in size, would be the largest scale ZEB project in Japan. This news made us so proud.
However, despite our grand expectations for this project, the preparation period up until issuing the purchase order for design took a lot longer than we had originally predicted.
Throughout that whole time, Mitsubishi Electric never left our side. In addition, ZEB certification required an immense amount of calculation regarding lighting and other internal equipment and fixtures. That’s why we knew without a doubt that we needed to proceed with Mitsubishi Electric’s invaluable advice.
Also, we were so determined to obtain ZEB certification this time that we included Mitsubishi Electric in the purchase order to the design company by saying that we wished to engage in a joint study with them, and that’s how they (Mitsubishi Electric) became our partner."

"In order to confirm project progress, we would hold long meetings every week with each of our supporting companies to discuss items of concern.
In these meetings, we witnessed firsthand how the design company, Mitsubishi Electric, and the construction company united in order to achieve ZEB certification and that really gave us a sense that everyone was doing their absolute best to ensure our project would be a success."

- Do you mean that there were certain moments during these regular meetings that made a strong impression on you?

"Exactly. Back then, Mitsubishi Electric was only required to take part in the design discussions at the beginning of these meetings, but I remember well how their representatives remained right up until the very end, diligently taking down notes. That sincere stance made us feel that we could truly depend on them."

Next, Mr. Hamanaka, the general salesperson for Mitsubishi Electric, looks back on those times.

"Thank you. Various members from SUBARU participated in those meetings and we were able to meet many new people.
It was also a precious opportunity to strengthen communication with other supporting companies.
I think we were able to grasp progress on parts of the project we weren’t involved in, what sort of issues existed, and basically the project as a whole during those meetings."

- From 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic became increasing serious both in Japan and overseas, didn’t it?

"COVID-19 caused a sudden slump even in the aerospace industry, triggering much debate within SUBARU as well, and we were forced to make various changes to the New Building ZEB Conversion Project.
Although we had originally planned to construct the building on a much larger block of land in the middle of the factory site, we had to relocate the construction site and scale down the structure from a 4-story building to a 3-story building, thus reducing the overall surface area. Despite this challenge, we were able to work out the details so that functions and requests were practically unaffected, and successfully switched to an extremely difficult downsizing plan."

"None of our supporting companies, be it the design company, Mitsubishi Electric, or the construction company, ever gave up despite all the changes to the project. On the contrary, they powerfully overcame all the hurdles we faced.
I believe that the project was carried out in a very reliable manner despite the extreme changes occurring on the frontline."

Ms. Ishimura also tells us about the repeated, substantial changes made to the equipment and fixtures to be used in the building.

"Even if there was a change to a single one of the several thousand lighting fixtures we planned on installing, it would totally alter the ZEB calculation, and I think that Mitsubishi Electric made those countless calculation alterations every time such a change occurred."

Ms. Ishimura goes on to share how Mitsubishi Electric offered peace of mind with regard to ZEB certification.

"Despite the multiple changes, Mitsubishi Electric’s abundant product lineup meant that we were never at risk of not satisfying the requirements for ZEB certification, so we were able to leave the task in their hands with peace of mind."

With COVID-19 as one hindering factor, the new ZEB of administration building was finally complete five years from project launch.
Ms. Ishimura reveals how she felt at the time of its completion.

"Actually, in the beginning I was only the contact person for the ZEB project and it wasn’t until the design change due to COVID-19 came about that I was appointed project leader responsible for everything related to ZEB, including design and construction.
During the initial stage after I took on this role it was such a struggle amid the pandemic, so I really had a lot of weight on my shoulders. That’s why, when I look at the new building that stands today, I am overwhelmed with such immense gratitude.
Like I said at the completion ceremony, it truly is an irreplaceable, deeply sentimental building."

Mr. Hamanaka, the general salesperson for Mitsubishi Electric, reflects on the project.

"Considering the sheer size of SUBARU Corporation, I was truly amazed by how so many different department members came together for this large-scale construction project and demonstrated such solid teamwork to keep this project on track, not to mention their strong capabilities as a company able to overcome whatever hurdles arose.
Ms. Ishimura took the helm of this project as its leader, so I am sure she faced many challenges, but despite this I am once again reminded just what a fantastic job she did."

Ms. Ishimura recalls that this project team was made up of many young members.
"We wanted to keep the project lively and in order to do that we encouraged the active participation of young employees from the design stage. Team members in their 20s played an active role, even with regard to electrical and equipment-related work. Due to having so many young team members, we frequently exchanged technical views with Mitsubishi Electric and received such a broad range of advice. That’s what I remember first when I think back on this project.
Mitsubishi Electric provided us with straightforward explanations of specialized and new technologies and this pathed a clear way forward for us, despite all the uncertainties we faced.
I am truly grateful that Mitsubishi Electric was on the same page as us right from the initial planning stage."

Nearly ZEB administration building began full-scale operation in August 2023

"After entering full-scale operation, I was relieved to see that the building was smoothly producing results in terms of the energy being supplied by in-house energy generation, energy-saving achievement level, and so forth.
If we are subjected to any further demands regarding energy-saving in the future, I hope Mitsubishi Electric will provide us with various proposals.
The future landscape entails many new areas, including AI, DX, and GX."

- I heard a rather happy experience occurred after the building went into full-scale operation.

"There is one reception room that doesn’t have windows so we installed Mitsubishi Electric’s "misola" LED lighting that replicates a blue sky in there. Several of the employees were amazed saying things like "I thought I was looking at an actual blue sky!!"
I am looking forward to seeing such smiling, happy faces of employees in the new building even more in the future."