Message from the General Managers of Human Resources & General Affairs Div.
As of April 1, 2025, Head Office Human Resources & General Affairs Division has been reorganized into two divisions. We asked the two General Managers leading the new structure to discuss the global group HR system and their vision.
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is expanding its business globally across industries, and in response, the areas requiring attention in terms of human capital are expanding, increasing the need for initiatives across the global group.
To respond more agilely to a wide range of themes, we have reorganized the Human Resources and General Affairs (HR & GA) organization. The HR & GA Division I is responsible for core HR policies, recruitment, and well-being initiatives,
while the HR & GA Division II focuses on talent management, HRBP support, and strengthening global collaboration.
Please tell us about the importance of the global group HR organizational structure in promoting talent strategy.
Managing Officer, General Manager of
Human Resources & General Affairs Division I
Tetsu Watanabe
Watanabe:
Mitsui & Co. Group engages in a wide range of businesses and aims to solve social issues through business in collaboration with Japanese and global partners. To achieve this, it is important to create an environment where highly specialized personnel can work globally across industries, beyond the boundaries of business and region. Our company adopts a global matrix system based on the business unit system, and in terms of HR, it is important to conduct talent management, including employee development and training, by coordinating the business and regional axes, supported by the global group HR organizational structure.
Associate Officer, General Manager of
Human Resources & General Affairs Division II
Shinichi Imanishi
Imanishi:
To realize the Medium-term Management Plan 2026, we have set a talent strategy aligned with our business strategy, and as part of this, we have introduced "Bloom" and the "Global Talent Management Policy" globally. We conduct talent management for each employee across recruitment locations and organizations, and strengthen the working foundation through the promotion of well-being and occupational health and safety initiatives so that everyone involved with our Group can work with peace of mind and vitality. The CoE plays a central role in establishing such HR infrastructure, and together with HRBP, which serves as an important junction with frontline employees at business units and regions, and OPE, which provides support with advanced expertise. The goal of the global group HR organizational structure is to achieve optimal allocation of human resources and maximize organizational strength.
Please tell us about the vision and commitment under the new organization.
Imanishi:
To strengthen group management capabilities and continue sustainable growth globally, we believe it is necessary to further enhance the talent strategy from a global group perspective. To achieve this, we will strengthen collaboration with HRBP, revitalize global talent management using Bloom, and work closely with OPE, Mitsui & Co. HRD Institute, and Mitsui & Co. Business Partners Ltd. to strengthen HR and general affairs functions across the global group. To respond more quickly, agilely, and effectively from a more multifaceted perspective than ever before, we will enhance collaboration between the two divisions, promote measures to support the success of diverse talent, and strengthen organizational capabilities.
Watanabe:
As the importance of HR in management strategy increases, we aim to further deepen HR and general affairs functions by supporting the career development of each HR and general affairs staff member so that they can respond with greater expertise to increasingly complex issues. The strength of our CoE/HRBP/OPE lies in the fact that it is composed of personnel with experience in various HR fields, as well as those with specialized knowledge in business unit and corporate division, and experience seconded to group companies both in Japan and overseas.
With the talent that can adapt to these environmental changes, and by taking advantage of our flexible response capabilities, creativity, and free and open organizational culture that respects diverse opinions, we will work with closer collaboration than ever before to promote integrated operations and create the “people” and “future” in a way unique to Mitsui.
Global Group HR Organization Structure
CoE（Center of Excellence）
A common global HR infrastructure is essential for enabling employees around the world to participate in the creation of new value on a global scale across multiple industries. The CoE facilitates smooth human resources management at the global group level by creating and providing common personnel and assessment systems, talent management infrastructure, transfer guidelines, and policies on well-being and occupational health and safety that can be used globally. The Human Resources & General Affairs Div. I & II serves as Mitsui's CoE.
HRBP（HR Business Partners）
The HRBP organizations are led by HR coordinators at each business unit and regional CHROs who are the contact points for individual employees. Their role is to support individual employees to fully realize their potential in their work. In Mitsui, HR coordinators in business units and corporate staff divisions, and CHROs in regional business units and blocs work closely to provide career consultation to individual employees and to consider training and transfers based on requirements for and situations of each region and business.
OPE（Operational Excellence）
OPE units are professional organizations established to administer the operational processes needed to ensure the reliable operation of the mechanisms that empower global human resources. They administer personnel systems and policies while providing the group with specialized knowledge. OPE functions are provided under contract by Mitsui & Co. Business Partners Ltd. (MBP) and Mitsui & Co. HRD Institute (MHR).