Major Japanese Electronics Makers to Treble Number of IT Engineers

August 22, 2018

Toyko- Hitachi Ltd. and three other major Japanese electronics makers plan to treble their total number of engineers for cutting-edge information technology to 6,500 by fiscal 2021, which ends in March 2022, a Jiji Press survey found Tuesday.

Three others, including Mitsubishi Electric Corp. have also produced or are considering plans to nurture such engineers.

Working with outsiders such as universities, these companies will promote the development of human resources with knowledge needed for the use of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and big data.

Japan is likely to suffer a shortage of 48,000 advanced IT engineers in calendar 2020 who can analyze massive data using AI for solutions to social problems and new business creations, according to the industry ministry.

Hitachi will increase its number of data analysis experts from the current 700 to 3,000 by fiscal 2021, according to the survey. The company plans to introduce an internal certification system and prepare opportunities for Japanese and overseas researchers in AI and other advanced technologies and workers to lead the use of the technologies for business projects to share information and exchange advice.

Panasonic Corp. will nurture workers who can make use of AI-related technologies and knowledge for research and development. The company hopes to increase the number of such workers from the current 300 to 500 in fiscal 2018 and 1,000 by fiscal 2020. In cooperation with Osaka University, Panasonic aims to develop a related education curriculum.

NEC Corp. will expand its number of engineers with abilities needed for the use of AI for businesses, such as data analyses and system building, from the current 700 to 1,000 in fiscal 2020.

Fujitsu Ltd. will increase its number of AI engineers to 1,500 in fiscal 2018 from 700 in fiscal 2016.

Mitsubishi and Toshiba Corp. said that they have similar plans in place but did not disclose details. Sharp Corp. is considering such a plan.

Sony Corp. aims to educate workers with knowledge on the integration of AI and robot technologies, as represented by its popular Aibo robot dog, but said that details have yet to be decided.

The survey was conducted in writing with the eight companies. Jiji Press