Editor’s note: 

　　编者按：

　　From May 12-14, 2025, the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will host "Shenzhen Week."

　　To mark this occasion, Shenzhen Daily and EyeShenzhen, a multilingual international portal, have produced a special video and report series about Japanese in Shenzhen. The collection features diverse perspectives from Japanese corporate executives, chamber of commerce leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and community volunteers, all sharing their unique "Shenzhen Stories."

　　2025年大阪世博会中国馆将于5月12-14日举办“深圳周”。为此，EyeShenzhen九语种国际门户网站和英文《深圳日报》特别策划制作了“日本人在深圳”中英日三语系列视频， 采访在深的日资企业高管，商会领袖，创业者，教育工作者和社区义工等，通过不同维度讲述他们的“深圳故事”。

　　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.

　　自1999年以开发前沿技术的工程师身份加入爱普生集团以来，内田昌宏已为这家企业奉献了超过25年。他也从技术专家蜕变为远见卓识的领导者与商业创新者。如今，他致力于引领爱普生技术（深圳）有限公司（ESL）向科技型企业迈进 。

　　Masahiro Uchida, executive officer, chairman and president of Epson Engineering (Shenzhen) Ltd. (ESL), poses for a photo in the company's factory in Nanshan District. 

　　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, who now serves as ESL’s executive officer, chairman, and president, told Shenzhen Daily.

　　2023年4月，内田迎来了新的使命：领导爱普生集团在深圳的重要生产基地ESL。那时的深圳对内田而言是一个未知的世界，但这种挑战让他非常心动。“我几乎没有犹豫地就答应了。” 内田接受英文《深圳日报》的采访时说道。

　　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.”

　　与众多行业领袖一样，内田高度认可深圳的供应链与制造业实力，但他更洞察到这座城市的特色。"深圳供应链异常完备，制造能力非常强。”内田表示。“这对验证新技术和新想法，是一个非常理想的环境。”

　　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 Uchida took the helm, he saw an opportunity for the company to evolve beyond its manufacturing roots and deliver greater value.

　　1985年，ESL在深圳创立。自创立起，该公司的定位便是爱普生集团重要的制造基地之一，主要生产打印设备、投影仪和工业用机器人三大类产品。内田上任后，感觉到这样的状态其实有点可惜。置身深圳这座创新之都，他敏锐捕捉到转型契机。

　　Uchida introduces an Epson inkjet printer to Shenzhen Daily journalists. 

　　“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.”

　　“我们身处的是全球最具活力的创新城市之一——深圳。”内田解释道。“我们应该可以做得更多，不光是制造，还能在这里创造出更多的价值。”

　　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.

　　于是，在任职第一年，他提出了一个新的中长期发展蓝图——“ESL愿景30”，其核心在于充分利用深圳的地理和产业优势，以及ESL积累多年的制造能力，逐步将公司转型为一家更具创新力的技术型企业。

　　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.

　　一年过去了，内田感受到这个愿景逐步深入人心。“虽然整体经济环境比以前更具挑战，但我能感受到，公司内部的氛围已经有了很大改变，大家都变得更积极，更有面向未来的信心。”

　　Solar panels installed on the rooftop of ESL's factory. Electricity generated by these panels now supply about 10% of the factory's daily needs.

　　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.

　　在内田的推动下，公司也在积极进行环保转型。除了常规的措施，比如将照明全部换成LED、工厂排水循环再利用等，ESL还在工厂屋顶铺满了太阳能板，目前已经可以供应约10%的用电量。

　　“The adoption of renewable energy on such a large scale is unprecedented in the Shenzhen area,” Uchida said. Approval of the project took around six months. With the support of government departments, the system officially began operating last year.

　　“在深圳地区，如此大规模的可再生能源应用尚属首家。项目在安装完成后，为了取得正式的运行许可，历时大约半年。在各级政府部门的大力支持与协助下，该项目最终于去年顺利实现了系统的正式投运。”他介绍道。

　　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.

　　内田于2024年度正式就任深圳日本商工会会长。就任期间，他致力于构建在深日企生态圈。该机构从1988年30家会员起步，现已发展至包括380家会员企业及约1200名日籍人士。

　　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.

　　商会经常举办专题讲座，涵盖的主题包括中国的法律、税务、人事劳务、报关等，也会举办像内田喜欢的高尔夫球等活动以促进会员交流。

　　Uchida at an interview with Shenzhen Daily.

　　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."

　　“我从在日本的时候就一直喜欢打高尔夫，到深圳之后也没停下。这里气候温暖，全年都非常适合打球，而且环境也很好。”他说。

　　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.

　　与此同时，在内田的家乡大阪，2025年世博会正在进行。此次世博会汇聚了全球158个国家与地区以及7个国际机构的展馆，开园首日便迎来14万游客。

　　“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."

　　“时隔半个世纪再次在大阪举办如此规模的世博会，我感到非常高兴。” 内田说道。“如果大家借此机会前往日本旅游，我希望大家不仅能参观世博会，更希望大家能亲身感受日本的文化与氛围，与当地人交流，加深对日本的了解。”