Hiroshi Komiyama, Chairman, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

2026.08.24

Life doesn't always go according to plan. That's why we should cherish chance.

■ Profile
After completing his doctoral studies at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering in 1972, he served as a professor in the Faculty of Engineering, Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering before becoming the 28th President of the University of Tokyo in April 2005. After stepping down as president in March 2009, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. in April of the same year (current position). In August 2010, he established the "Platinum Initiative Network" and became its chairman. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the STS Forum, Chairman of the Super Education Association, Chairman of the International Science and Technology Foundation, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heat Pump and Thermal Storage Center, among others.

Hiroshi Komiyama, who graduated from the University of Tokyo Graduate School, served as the 28th President of the University of Tokyo, and currently serves as the Chairman of Mitsubishi Research Institute and Chairman of the Platinum Initiative Network, is shaping Japan's future. Based on his own experience that "life doesn't always go according to plan," we asked him about the ideal state that Japan, a country facing many challenges, should aim for, the skills needed in the age of AI, and his message to university students.

During my university years, I was a member of the American football team. My student life was pretty typical; I balanced my studies with my athletic activities. My main part-time job was tutoring. However, because American football requires a lot of money for protective gear, I also did some day labor in logistics.
At the University of Tokyo, first and second-year students study at the Komaba campus, while third-year students study at the Hongo campus. However, since the American football team's practices were held at the Komaba campus, in my third year I would travel there after finishing my classes and student experiments to participate in practice. Balancing studying and club activities was by no means easy, and there was a time when I considered quitting the club, but with the support of my classmates, I was able to continue until the end.
Sports coaching back then was different from today; for example, drinking water during practice was prohibited, creating an environment that's unthinkable now. Nevertheless, the time I spent with my teammates remains an unforgettable memory.

■Life doesn't always go according to plan.

Currently, I'm pursuing a career as a researcher and serve as the chairman of Mitsubishi Research Institute, but I didn't aspire to be a researcher since my student days. I thought I would get a job at a company after graduating from university, and I never imagined I would stay at academia.
The turning point was my uncle's words and my graduation research. My uncle worked for a chemical company, and he told me that "chemical engineering will become important in the future," which led me to decide to pursue that field. Also, because I had to balance it with my activities in the American football club, I started my graduation research early. Unlike lectures, I kept getting results that were different from what I expected, and I found great fascination in thinking about "why this is happening." That was the beginning of my passion for research.
Furthermore, when I decided to pursue graduate studies, the university's recommendation system, aimed at increasing the number of graduate students, also played a role. Looking back, my life hasn't unfolded exactly according to the blueprint I drew. A combination of various coincidences and encounters with people has shaped who I am today.
That's why I believe it's more important to focus on what's in front of you and cherish the opportunities that come your way, rather than trying to stick to a plan.

■From a country facing many challenges to a country advanced in solving them

Mitsubishi Research Institute is a think tank that not only considers the future but also champions the concept of a "Think & Act Tank." It values not only thinking about social issues but also taking action to solve them.
In recent years, we have seen an increase in challenges that cannot be solved by specializing in just one field, such as global warming, declining birth rates and an aging population, and energy problems. While deepening one's expertise is important, it is also essential to connect different perspectives and consider society as a whole from a broader viewpoint.
With that in mind, I established the Platinum Initiative Network and am also dedicating my efforts to realizing a "Platinum Society." Until now, Japan has developed by acquiring information from Europe and the United States. However, Japan is currently facing challenges such as an aging population and population decline, ahead of the rest of the world. In other words, we can no longer acquire information from others.
However, Japan's current situation is something that other countries around the world will inevitably face in the future. If Japan can solve these challenges, its experience will serve as a model for the world. I believe Japan should aim to become a leading country in problem-solving.
To achieve this, the Platinum Initiative Network is working on various themes, including forest recycling and renewable energy. Furthermore, even the most advanced technology won't change society. We believe that for technology to be implemented in society, it's essential that many people understand and cooperate with the project.

■The key is curiosity and seriousness

The kind of person I want to work with is "someone who isn't like ChatGPT." Of course, I use generative AI. However, AI sometimes lacks hesitation and internal conflict. While it's a convenient tool, I feel there's a big difference in terms of human-like qualities.
That's why what I value most is "earnestness." People who approach things seriously naturally develop curiosity, learn new things, and continue to challenge themselves. Furthermore, I believe that "optimism" is also important. Optimism is not an innate personality trait, but rather a positive attitude that one consciously chooses to take. I want to work with people who try to move forward even in difficult situations.

■Message to university students

I would like to urge students not to seek too much "security." In the past, it was said that "joining a large company guarantees security," but those days are over. Society is constantly changing, and no one can completely predict the future.
That's why you should find something you can truly dedicate yourself to and gain a lot of experience. Challenging yourself to grow as a person will ultimately broaden your life choices.
I also encourage you to actively interact with people of different ages and backgrounds. By being exposed to different values, you can gain new perspectives and ways of thinking that you might not have thought of yourself.
I believe that "life doesn't always go according to plan." It's because I seriously faced what was in front of me that chance encounters and experiences have led me to where I am today.
No one knows what the future holds. That's why you should not be afraid of change, but instead dedicate yourself fully to what's in front of you. I believe that this accumulation of effort will become a great force in forging your own unique path in life.

Student Newspaper Online, June 6, 2026 Interview with Kaito Sato, 3rd year student at Hosei University

Kaito Sato (3rd year, Hosei University) / Kenhiko Yamada (1st year, Hosei University) / Tatsushi Harada (2nd year, Nihon University) / Yurie Watanabe (3rd year, Josai International University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto University of the Arts) / Nina Ishikawa (2nd year, Sophia University)
Kotomi Miyama, 4th year student at Dokkyo University