Hiromi Kitagawa
Project Manager
Corporate Officer
Human Resources Strategy・Sustainability Strategy・Corporate Communication Dept., Well-Being Strategy Group, Global Strategy Div.
Began career at a medical equipment company and a Toyota Group manufacturer, with experience in secretarial, public relations, external affairs, and corporate planning roles. Joined Niterra Co., Ltd. in 2014.
At the medical equipment company, was involved in new business development, primarily in the healthcare sector, through planning, research, external affairs, and public relations. Also achieved a 1.7x increase in sales by revamping domestic and international exhibitions.
At Niterra Co., Ltd., held roles in public relations, corporate planning, and sustainability. Served as the project leader for several key initiatives, including the 80th-anniversary corporate branding, the formulation of the long-term management plan, the relocation of the head office, and the change of the company's English name.
Appointed as head of the Sustainability Department in 2020 and assumed the current position in April 2024. Currently focused on promoting sustainability, creating new business opportunities that balance both Social Good & Business Good, and enhancing corporate value through coexistence with society. Also involved in the SUISO no MORI Project as its project manager.
Keisuke Kure
Operations Manager
General Manager,
Sustainability Strategy Dept., Well-Being Strategy Group, Global Strategy Div.
Joined Niterra Co., Ltd. in April 1998. For over 20 years, was involved in production engineering operations. Joined the Sustainability Strategy Division in April 2024.
In the SUISO no MORI Project, is responsible for overseeing investments in startups, investments in demonstration sites, and the overall environmental setup and operation.
In the production engineering design department, was in charge of equipment design for mass production processes. Was involved in setting up factories both in Japan and overseas and constructing numerous automated lines. In the planning department, managed the progress of Niterra Co., Ltd. Group's capital investments, along with the allocation and management of production engineering resources, including elemental technology development, design, procurement, and maintenance. This work focused on optimizing manufacturing processes based on business plans.
Ryuichi Nojiri
Manager
Manager,
Sustainability Strategy Dept., Well-Being Strategy Group, Global Strategy Div.
Joined Niterra Co., Ltd. in April 1999. For over 10 years, was involved in the Automotive Sales Division before gaining experience in the Secretariat, Human Resources Strategy Division, and divisional Human Resources departments. Joined the Sustainability Strategy Division in September 2024.
As a manager for the SUISO no MORI Project, is involved in operations related to startup investments, investments in demonstration sites, environmental preparation, and managing the entry of tenants into the demonstration site.
Within the Automotive Sales Division, was primarily engaged in overseas sales. From 2002, was stationed in Dubai, UAE for five years, where a local company was established and new sales and business development were conducted across the Middle East and Africa. From 2010, served as an OEM salesperson at the Nagoya sales office, handling a specific automaker in Aichi Prefecture. Began working as a presidential secretary in the Secretariat in 2013, before moving to the Human Resources Strategy Division in 2017 to handle various HR-related matters.
Tetsuya Nakano
Operations Member
Supervisor,
Sustainability Strategy Dept., Well-Being Strategy Group, Global Strategy Div.
Joined Niterra Co., Ltd. in April 2012. For over 10 years, was involved in new business operations before joining the Sustainability Strategy Division in April 2024.
For the SUISO no MORI Project, is responsible for supporting investments in startups, investments in demonstration sites, environmental preparation, and the tenants of the demonstration site.
In new business launch operations, gained experience in manufacturing cost estimation, building and improving pilot lines, formulating mass production and capital investment plans, introducing verification equipment, and handling maintenance, preservation, and business withdrawal operations.
Rino Noguchi
PR・Operations Member
Supervisor,
Sustainability Strategy Dept., Well-Being Strategy Group, Global Strategy Div.
Joined Niterra Co., Ltd. in April 2015. Was responsible for safety and health-related tasks in the Environment and Safety Department, and for new equipment development and startup operations in the Production Engineering Department.
Transferred to the Sustainability Strategy Division in 2022, where was engaged in disclosure-related work, such as updating the company website and launching and managing owned media, as well as internal education-related tasks.
For the SUISO no MORI Project, is responsible for PR-related tasks, including the website and exhibition management, and for investments in startups.
NEWS
STATEMENT
Hydrogen and Circular Carbon
for the Future of the Earth
ABOUT
The Earth's warming due to the increase in greenhouse gases, rising sea levels, and the increasing intensity of natural disasters are becoming more severe environmental issues. Properly managing and reducing these effects has become a common agenda for humanity, and hydrogen is attracting attention as an alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels. The SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project is a framework aimed at accelerating the realization of a hydrogen and circular-carbon society by supporting related technologies. Through fund investments, provision of demonstration facilities, and incubation programs, we help startups turn their ideas into reality.
Investment and Collaboration Areas
Our support extends to the following fields, including related technologies and some services.
Hydrogen Field Production, Transportation, Storage, Utilization
Renewable energy is clean but its generation is unstable. Hydrogen, abundant on Earth and produced through water decomposition, can store surplus renewable energy, contributing to energy stabilization. However, energy loss during conversion remains a challenge. SUISO no MORI supports efforts to reduce this loss, enhance conversion and storage efficiency, and explore new hydrogen-derived materials.
Circular-Carbon Field CCU, CCS, DAC, Circular Economy
Innovative technologies are being developed to reduce excess atmospheric CO2, the root cause of environmental issues. Examples include converting CO2 into other materials, solidifying it, and capturing it from the air. Technologies that repeatedly capture and release CO2, preventing excess emissions, are also being developed. The common idea is to utilize CO2 in some form, transforming it into new value. SUISO no MORI supports technological innovation in the circular-carbon field, viewing it as a new resource for nurturing the forest.
Strengths of SUISO no MORI
Hands-on Support
From growth strategies to recruitment, PR & marketing, development, and intellectual property strategies - Global Brain's specialized support team, co-founder of the Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund, will provide powerful assistance in crucial business areas as startups grow.
Corporate Network
We leverage extensive corporate networks, including the industry, government, academic, and finance connections cultivated by Niterra. These networks will be instrumental in propelling startup growth.
Demonstration Facility: SUISO no MORI hub
We plan to establish a demonstration facility, SUISO no MORI hub, at Niterra's (formerly NGK Spark Plug) mother factory in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture. This environment, equipped with hydrogen and renewable energy resources, will allow startups to verify technologies related to hydrogen and carbon cycling.
Additional Assets
We support startups through various means, including our team of experts, facilities and equipment, and the use of the Shinagawa office. We will continue to expand our range of available assets.
FACILITY
Total Support from Funding to Demonstration Test Site
SUISO no MORI offers total support encompassing investment, incubation, acceleration, and open innovation. At the heart of this initiative is the SUISO no MORI hub, a dedicated facility for demonstration experiments. It's a 40-minute drive from Nagoya Station, providing an environment conducive to focused experimentation and demonstration. It features open spaces for presentations and pitches, office areas for desk work, and a garage-like area designed for practical experiments. Depending on the scale of the demonstration, the open space can also be used.
MEMBER
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Hiromi Kitagawa
Project Manager
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Keisuke Kure
Operations Manager
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Ryuichi Nojiri
Manager
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Tetsuya Nakano
Operations Member
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Rino Noguchi
PR・Operations Member
PORTFOLIO
PARTNER &
EVENT SPONSORSHIP
FAQ
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Can you only receive investments?
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What are the conditions for the investment and residency periods in the demonstration facility?
Conditions are set initially case-by-case, with milestones confirmed mutually before making a decision. Therefore, the period and conditions may vary for each project.
FUND
-
- Fund name
- SUISO no MORI Fund L.P. (registered name)
(address name: Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund)
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- Operation period
- 10 years
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- Investment Area
- Technology development and some services to realize a hydrogen society and a carbon recycling society
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- Total Amount Managed
- 4 billion yen
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- General Partner
- Global Brain Corporation
LIBRARY
We have materials on SUISO no MORI available.
CONTACT
For questions or inquiries regarding SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project, please contact us at the address below.
Contact Email Address
About Niterra
Niterra Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive ceramics manufacturer headquartered in Nagoya. With over 80 years of history, we've cultivated ceramics technology and a global network. We aim not only to contribute to a sustainable society through our business but also to exist as a company that illuminates the Earth with unique technologies and ideas. For more details, please visit the Niterra website.
