TOKYO, Japan, June 17, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) -BAE Systems and NEC Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combine expertise for the implementation of active cyber defence (ACD) solutions for the Japanese Government. This MoU demonstrates the intent of both organisations to work together in various sectors beyond the defence domain, building on the momentum of the Japan-UK Strategic Cyber Partnership agreed by the respective Governments in January 2026.

Under this MoU, BAE Systems and NEC will support the enhancement of the Japanese Government’s cybersecurity posture through the joint development, implementation and delivery of ACD solutions. It brings together BAE Systems' vast expertise and knowledge of ACD best practices with NEC's technological capabilities, deployment experience and deep understanding of Japan's ACD policy and operational landscape. By combining complementary strengths, both organisations will aim to deliver capability that is practically grounded, technically robust and aligned with national security priorities.

In addition, BAE Systems and NEC will explore the establishment of a business collaboration framework focused on bringing together industry stakeholders from the cybersecurity and national security sectors of both the UK and Japan to help drive collective cyber resilience. This is expected to support the growth of a highly skilled cyber sector in both nations.

Andrea Thompson, Group Managing Director, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, said: "As a longstanding provider of cyber and digital capabilities to government organisations around the world, we recognise the importance of leveraging best-in-class capabilities to meet customers’ needs and reflect their operational environment. Working together with NEC, we will turn our respective expertise into practical, operational capability in pursuit of a fair, safe and secure cyberspace."

Noboru Nakatani, Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer, NEC Corporation, said: "Like many nations, we’ve seen a rise in cyber-attacks against national authorities and critical infrastructure. This is a trend which requires a proactive response. Government organisations need to know that they have access to the best possible technical and operational expertise, which is exactly what our cooperation with BAE Systems will deliver, enabling the implementation of ACD solutions to support long-term cyber resilience."

About BAE Systems:

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of around 110,000 people in more than 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and keep critical information and infrastructure secure. BAE Systems has been active in Japan for over 50 years partnering to provide equipment including naval guns, electronic warfare capability, amphibious armoured vehicles and today we are a partner on the GCAP next generation aircraft programme.

For more information on BAE Systems in Japan visit: www.baesystems.com/en-jp/

About NEC

The NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. 

Daisuke Okanohara, Co-Founder and CEO of PFN and Eisaku Ito, President and CEO of MHI

TOKYO, June 3, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) have entered into a business alliance agreement to jointly develop cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance the intelligence and autonomy of mission-critical machinery and systems, primarily in the social infrastructure and national security sectors in Japan.

In today's social infrastructure and national security fields, which underpin safe and secure living, there is an increasing demand for rapid responses to complex and constantly evolving challenges. To maintain and improve the safety and resilience of machinery and systems operated by customers in these mission-critical domains, it is essential to implement advanced AI technologies that enable autonomous, sophisticated situational assessment and response capabilities.

MHI has long been a leader in Japan's social infrastructure as well as the aerospace, defense, and space sectors. The company possesses advanced hardware design and system integration expertise, along with extensive product knowledge cultivated through its global business foundation. MHI has also accumulated comprehensive capabilities in machinery and system design, development, control, and simulation technologies. Under its management policy, "Innovative Total Optimization (ITO)," MHI is committed to "Group-Wide Optimization" and "Reach Expansion," delivering unprecedented value to a vastly larger customer base through corporate collaboration and IT utilization.

PFN has delivered vertically integrated expertise across the AI value chain, spanning advanced AI models, supercomputing infrastructure, proprietary AI chips, as well as products and solutions. Since its founding in 2014, PFN has built a proven track record of real-world deployments for its clients and partners across a diverse range of industries.

MHI and PFN formed this alliance to establish a long-term collaborative framework that unites their respective strengths. Both companies recognize that this synergy is essential to rapidly deploy complex innovations in mission-critical intelligence and autonomy, ultimately maintaining and advancing a safe, secure society.

Through this alliance, the two companies will explore the joint development of autonomous AI-powered machinery and systems for mission-critical applications that demand high reliability and rapid responsiveness. This initiative will combine MHI's advanced hardware, control, and simulation technologies with PFN's homegrown AI foundation models, AI chips, and computing infrastructure. By embedding these AI technologies into MHI's product and systems portfolio, the alliance aims to drive intelligent and autonomous operations, advanced predictive maintenance, and rapid crisis management. Through this collaboration, the companies seek to provide a resilient, secure, and safe social infrastructure that protects society and clients' businesses from unforeseen risks.

Based on the progress of this business alliance, the companies aim to conclude a capital and business alliance agreement within fiscal 2026. By establishing a stronger cooperative foundation, including capital ties, the two companies intend to accelerate mid- to long-term R&D investments and commercialization efforts.

Going forward, both companies will continue to maximize their respective strengths and contribute to building sustainable, secure, and safe social infrastructure through innovation driven by AI technologies.

About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense.MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world.For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.

About Preferred Networks

Guided by its mission to "Make the real world computable and create the future together," Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) develops advanced software and hardware technologies through a vertically integrated approach spanning the entire AI value chain—from AI chips and computing infrastructure to generative AI foundation models and solutions across a wide range of industries. Founded in 2014 in Tokyo, PFN currently develops and delivers the MN-Core™ series of AI processors, the PFCP™ cloud platform for AI computing, and the Japan-developed generative AI foundation model PLaMo™.https://www.preferred.jp/en/

About MHI Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.

TOKYO, June 3, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) have concluded discussions and jointly established a new company, Aero Breath Co., Ltd., dedicated to the aircraft aftermarket business, effective today, June 1, 2026.

In response to the growing demand for aircraft maintenance driven by the recovery of air passenger traffic, Aero Breath will combine JAL and JALEC's extensive operational and maintenance expertise with MHI's advanced and broad technical capabilities. This new platform aims to improve maintenance work efficiency and aircraft quality, thereby minimizing aircraft ground time and further enhancing operational efficiency(1).

Aero Breath will be headquartered at Aichi Prefectural Nagoya Airport and plans to start regional aircraft maintenance services within fiscal 2026, subject to obtaining necessary permits and approvals.

JALEC and MHI will collaborate closely with Aero Breath to contribute to the development of Japan's aircraft aftermarket business and support the sustainable growth of the aviation industry, while maintaining safe and reliable flight operations.

Company Overview

(1) Press Release dated August 27, 2024: "JAL and MHI Begin Joint Exploration of Collaboration in Aircraft Maintenance and Aftermarket Services"

About MHI Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.

TOKYO, May 12, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - SPARX Group Co., Ltd. ("SPARX") has established the Mirai Creation Fund IV ("Fund IV"). The four seed LPs, Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota"), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation ("SMBC"), MUFG Bank, Ltd. ("MUFG") and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. ("Mizuho") will participate as initial investors in Fund IV.

SPARX commenced the investment management operations of the Mirai Creation Fund III ("Fund III") in October 2021 and has since made investments across six categories: Intelligent Technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence), Robotics, Hydrogen Economy Electrification, New Materials, and Carbon Neutrality. The newly established Fund IV will consolidate this investment scope into three categories―Intelligent Technologies, Robotics, and Carbon Neutrality―as part of building on SPARX's investment track record and accumulated experience.

In April 2024, SPARX also commenced the investment management operations of the Space Frontier Fund II, focusing on investments in space-related technologies.

Now, SPARX has determined that incorporating such space-related technologies, which to date have solely been the investment focus of the Space Frontier Fund, into the investment scope of Fund IV would further advance Fund IV's objectives. Accordingly, Fund IV will have an expanded investment scope including Space as a new investment category.

As a result, it will target promising unlisted venture companies in and outside Japan across four categories.

Fund IV will be managed by SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd. a subsidiary of SPARX. Backed by investments totaling approximately JPY15 billion from the five participating companies―Toyota, SMBC, MUFG, Mizuho, and SPARX―the fund is scheduled to commence investment management operations in June 2026. Additional investments in the new fund will be solicited from investors who share the same vision, with the aim to achieve a total fund size of JPY100 billion by March 2027.



Basic Principles

- To help accelerate innovation by investing in enterprises that possess technologies capable of leading growth for future generations
- To build a portfolio of promising businesses, and realize the potential of technologies and ideas that can transform the future by promoting them on a global scale
- To contribute to a sustainable future by fostering new industries and promoting carbon neutrality

About the Mirai Creation Fund

The Mirai Creation Fund I began investment management operations in November 2015, followed by the Mirai Creation Fund II in August 2018 and the Mirai Creation Fund III in October 2021, with the aim to invest in companies possessing technologies that contribute to the future of society and promote innovation through their development.

About the Space Frontier Fund

The Space Frontier Fund began investment management operations in June 2020 with the aim to support talent and technologies involved in space development, foster globally competitive space companies originating from Japan, and contribute to technological innovation across the country. The Space Frontier Fund II commenced investment management operations in April 2024.