Governor Abbott Meets with Hitachi, Ltd. Leadership in Tokyo, Japan
Governor Greg Abbott today met with Hitachi, Ltd. CEO Toshiaki Higashihara in Tokyo, Japan. The Governor thanked Mr. Higashihara for Hitachi’s investment in the state of Texas, and discussed Hitachi’s experience of doing business in the Lone Star State. Following his meeting, Governor Abbott toured the Hitachi Executive Briefing Center. The meeting is part of Governor Abbott’s week-long economic development trip to Asia. A readout and photos of the meeting can be found below:
Mr. Higashihara and Governor Abbott began their meeting by talking about cybersecurity efforts. Governor Abbott then discussed the potential for working together on cybersecurity efforts, as well as autonomous vehicles, in the future. Mr. Higashihara highlighted his company’s work to develop proton therapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Mr. Higashihara and Governor Abbott then discussed the work Hitachi is doing in the Dallas area to promote STEM education. The meeting concluded with a discussion of social innovation in Texas, with Mr. Higashihara expressing a desire to partner with Texas on this issue.
Hitachi Ltd. engages in the manufacture of electronics and electrical equipment. The company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Hitachi America’s Hitachi Consulting Corp. is headquartered in Dallas, with offices in Houston and Bryan. Hitachi American Ltd. has an office in Dallas, Hitachi Communication Technologies America Inc. has an office in Richardson, Hitachi Data Systems Corporation has an office in Dallas, Hitachi High-Technologies America Inc. Semiconductor Equipment Division has an office in Dallas, and Hitachi Transport Systems (America) has an office in Irving.
Toshiaki Higashihara has been Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO and Director of Hitachi, Ltd. since 2016. Higashihara has been with Hitachi since 1977 and has held various roles during his tenure. In 2018, Higashihara received the Leonardo International Prize in Italy. The award is presented to business leaders from foreign companies that have made substantial contributions to strengthening relationships with Italy. Higashihara graduated the University of Tokushima with a degree in Engineering.