STAFF
Introducing a group of air mobility technology professionals
※アナリストの記載は「あいうえお」順になります
Umezu Mitsuo
Born in Oita Prefecture in 1951. After majoring in aeronautical engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1975, he joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., where he worked in the maintenance department, handling production management, supply management, budget management, and human resources and general affairs management. He was seconded to the Japan Center for Economic Research, where he researched Japan's economic trends and co-authored "Verification of the Oil Shock," published by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. He then worked in the management of an MRO company with Lockheed in the United States before retiring. In 2012, he established a staffing company focusing on engineers. He also founded the Mie Aerospace Industry Promotion Council, and served as its vice-chairman. In order to revitalize Japan's aviation industry, he established Tech Fellows Co., Ltd. in 2023. In addition to dispatching engineers, he is also involved in the development of next-generation aerospace.
We are challenging the development of mobility.
Shinji Suzuki
Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1953. Graduated with a master's degree from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering in 1979. After working at Toyota Central R&D Labs., he retired as a professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering, and is now a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and a specially appointed professor at the University of Tokyo Future Initiatives Institute (current position). He holds a PhD in Engineering and specializes in aeronautical engineering. He is currently involved in developing the aviation industry through his roles as chairman and director of various aviation-related organizations. He is the president of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences (43rd term) and president of the International Federation of Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS). His books include "Airplane Stories" (Chikuma Shobo), "Modern Aviation Theory" (edited by University of Tokyo Press), and "The Challenge to Uncrashable Airplanes" (Kagaku Dojinsha).
Yoshikazu Sugino
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University in 1980, he joined a city bank. In 1983, he was seconded to the Japan Center for Economic Research, and in 1985, he was dispatched to the Conference Board Institute in New York. In 1989, he was dispatched to Barclays Trust Bank of New York, and was then stationed in the United States when the bank was established. In 1995, he became the bank's domestic branch manager. In the banking division, he also had experience in headquarters departments such as securities, international planning, research, and auditing, and is well-versed in banking operations. He then went independent, and currently consults and advises financial institutions.
Kazuhiro Shirai
Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1959. After graduating from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Nihon University in 1983, he joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., where he worked on cabin/electrical design projects in the maintenance operations and technical departments. He participated in the design of the 777 at Boeing in the United States, and then worked in the aircraft and equipment technical department, maintenance management department, and government aircraft technical department, before becoming head of maintenance management at the Napa Aircraft Training Center in the United States. After serving as a director of the JAL Group, he was involved in maintenance audits. He then served as head of the safety management promotion office, deputy head of the maintenance department, and head of operations at a business jet operating company. He currently works in MRO consulting, is a professor at Hosei University's Faculty of Science and Technology, is a visiting researcher at the Urban Air Mobility Institute at the same university, and is an auditor for HIEN Aero Technologies. He is a member of SAE and a member of the ASTM F37/F39/F44 subcommittee.
Hideo Hiramoto
Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1950. After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Osaka University in 1973, he joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., where he was involved in the maintenance and technical work of system equipment in the maintenance department. In 1984, he was stationed in Seattle, USA, where he was responsible for aircraft specification adjustment and aircraft acceptance inspection. He continued to be in charge of a wide range of technical work in the maintenance and technical department and became an auditor for the company. Since 2014, he has worked as an aircraft industry consultant, supporting SMEs in entering the aircraft industry and receiving consulting orders from various clients. He is involved in research on legal requirements such as airworthiness standards for unpiloted aircraft and AAMs.
Toru Kubota
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1948. After graduating from the Department of Aeronautics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo in 1971, he joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. In the maintenance department, he was involved in system technology, maintenance-related regulations, maintenance time extension, changes to the 747 aircraft maintenance method, and retirement planning.
He was in charge of creating simulator data for the flight control system. After returning to Japan, he worked in the Corporate Planning Office, the Anchorage Airport Branch, and the Maintenance and Training Department, and was involved in management, operation, and maintenance-related supervision at AGP and JEX.
Since 2010, he has provided aviation technology consulting services and lectured on human factors, aviation English, and airworthiness management at the Japan Aviation Technology Association, Takushoku University, JAL Consulting, and NS Aviation Technology Research Institute.
Takashi Saito
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1953. After graduating from the Department of Aeronautics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo in 1975, he joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., where he worked in the flight operations and maintenance departments, and was responsible for flight operations and maintenance technology. He also served as technical director and deputy director of the maintenance headquarters. While employed at Japan Airlines, he was involved in autopilot control law design and flight testing at Boeing in the United States. Since 2013, he has been in charge of operations and safety for a domestic cargo airline. Since 2019, he has been engaged in consulting work such as cybersecurity and integrated product support. He holds an FAA commercial pilot license and a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism second-class unmanned aerial vehicle pilot license.
Akira Sato
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1960. After graduating from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University in 1982, he joined Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., where he was involved in research into jet engines and the development of control devices for unmanned helicopters. In 2003, he received the Ichimura Industrial Award for Contribution for his work on "Usu Volcano Observation Using an Autonomous Control Unmanned Helicopter." In 2019, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Commendation for Science and Technology for his work on "Development of a Control Device for an Industrial Unmanned Helicopter." Doctor of Engineering (Kyoto University)
In 2018, he became a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology. He served as chairman of the Shizuoka Prefecture Next Generation Air Mobility Working Group from 2023 to 2024. He served as chairman of the Japan Helicopter Association from 2023 to 2025, and is currently a director of the Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Inspection Organization and an advisor to the Japan Industrial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Industry Association.
Haruo Takashika
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from the Department of Applied Physics at the National Defense Academy in 1980, he joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. After serving as a Tactical Airman (TACCO) for anti-submarine patrol aircraft, he completed the Officer Specialized Course in Information Processing (ASWOC Program) and graduated from the National Defense Academy in 1991 as a member of the Department of Communications at the Defense Department of the Maritime Staff Office.
He worked on the development of satellite communications (Superbird) in the Air Force and the Research and Development Force.
In 2008, he served as Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Fleet Command and Communications Division, and in 2009 he served as Commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Communications Development Unit before retiring. After retiring, he worked at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's communications equipment manufacturing plant, where he was mainly involved in defense-related communications networks and system integration. He also supported the work of retired Ministry of Defense officials.
Gaku Minorikawa
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from the Department of Applied Physics at the National Defense Academy in 1980, he joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. After serving as a Tactical Airman (TACCO) for anti-submarine patrol aircraft, he completed the Officer Specialized Course in Information Processing (ASWOC Program) and graduated from the National Defense Academy in 1991 as a member of the Department of Communications at the Defense Department of the Maritime Staff Office.
He worked on the development of satellite communications (Superbird) in the Air Force and the Research and Development Force.
In 2008, he served as Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Fleet Command and Communications Division, and in 2009 he served as Commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Communications Development Unit before retiring. After retiring, he worked at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's communications equipment manufacturing plant, where he was mainly involved in defense-related communications networks and system integration. He also supported the work of retired Ministry of Defense officials.
Gaku Minorikawa
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from the Department of Applied Physics at the National Defense Academy in 1980, he joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. After serving as a Tactical Airman (TACCO) for anti-submarine patrol aircraft, he completed the Officer Specialized Course in Information Processing (ASWOC Program) and graduated from the National Defense Academy in 1991 as a member of the Department of Communications at the Defense Department of the Maritime Staff Office.
He worked on the development of satellite communications (Superbird) in the Air Force and the Research and Development Force.
In 2008, he served as Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Fleet Command and Communications Division, and in 2009 he served as Commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Communications Development Unit before retiring. After retiring, he worked at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's communications equipment manufacturing plant, where he was mainly involved in defense-related communications networks and system integration. He also supported the work of retired Ministry of Defense officials.
Gaku Minorikawa
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from the Department of Applied Physics at the National Defense Academy in 1980, he joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. After serving as a Tactical Airman (TACCO) for anti-submarine patrol aircraft, he completed the Officer Specialized Course in Information Processing (ASWOC Program) and graduated from the National Defense Academy in 1991 as a member of the Department of Communications at the Defense Department of the Maritime Staff Office.
He worked on the development of satellite communications (Superbird) in the Air Force and the Research and Development Force.
In 2008, he served as Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Fleet Command and Communications Division, and in 2009 he served as Commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Communications Development Unit before retiring. After retiring, he worked at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's communications equipment manufacturing plant, where he was mainly involved in defense-related communications networks and system integration. He also supported the work of retired Ministry of Defense officials.