




Editor’s note: From May 12 to 14, the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will host “Shenzhen Week.” To mark this occasion, Shenzhen Daily and EyeShenzhen, a multilingual information and news platform, are publishing a special series of articles about Japanese people in Shenzhen. The collection features diverse perspectives and unique “Shenzhen Stories” from Japanese corporate executives, chamber of commerce leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and community volunteers. This is the second story. Chen Siqi vankochensq@163.com WITH over 25 years at Seiko Epson Corp., Masahiro Uchida has risen from an engineer developing cutting-edge technologies in 1999 to a visionary leader and business innovator. Now, he aims to transform Epson Engineering (Shenzhen) Ltd. (ESL) into a tech-driven company. Uchida took on this leadership role at ESL, Epson’s strategic manufacturing hub in Shenzhen, in April 2023. Though the city was uncharted territory for him at the time, the prospect was exciting. “I accepted the role almost without hesitation,” Uchida told Shenzhen Daily. Like many industry leaders, Uchida recognizes Shenzhen’s strong supply chains. However, he believes the city’s true distinction lies elsewhere. “Shenzhen has supply chains and manufacturing capabilities that are hard to beat,” he said. “But even more importantly, it’s a perfect place to test new technologies and innovative ideas.” A new vision for ESL Established in 1985 as a traditional manufacturing base for Epson, ESL specializes in commercial printers, projectors, and industrial robots. But when Masahiro Uchida took the helm, he saw an opportunity for the company to evolve beyond its manufacturing roots and deliver greater value. “We’re based in one of the most dynamic innovation centers in the world,” Uchida explained. “It made sense to push beyond manufacturing and embrace innovation as a core part of our future.” This conviction led Uchida to introduce ESL Vision 30, a mid-to-long-term strategy designed to transform the company into a technology-driven innovator while maintaining its manufacturing excellence. Only one year into implementation, Uchida is already seeing promising results. “Despite market challenges, our teams are energized by this future-focused mission,” he said. Uchida also embraces corporate environmental responsibility. Under his direction, ESL has implemented sustainable practices such as LED lighting and industrial wastewater recycling. One standout achievement is the installation of solar panels on the factory’s rooftop, which supply about 10% of daily power needs. “Such large-scale renewable adoption is rare to see around Shenzhen,” Uchida said. With the support of government departments, the system officially began operating last year. Building bridges beyond business Uchida’s contributions extend beyond ESL. As president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Shenzhen since 2024, he supports a growing community of Japanese companies and business people in Shenzhen. Founded in 1988 with just 30 members, the chamber now includes around 380 member companies and approximately 1,200 Japanese individuals. The chamber organizes workshops on topics like Chinese law, taxation, and customs clearance. Beyond these professional development activities, it also hosts social events, including golf tournaments. For Uchida, these social outings are particularly welcome, as golf is one of his favorite pastimes. “Golf has been a cherished hobby since I moved from Japan,” he shared. “Shenzhen’s climate and favorable courses make golf a year-round joy.” In Uchida’s hometown of Osaka, the highly anticipated Expo 2025 is drawing global attention. Featuring pavilions from 158 countries and regions, as well as seven international organizations, the expo attracted 140,000 visitors on its opening day alone. “I’m glad to see Osaka hosting a World Expo again after half a century, said Uchida. “For those visiting Japan during this event, I encourage you not only to experience the expo but also to immerse yourselves in Japan’s culture. Engaging with local communities will deepen your understanding of what makes this country unique.” |