The Social Infrastructure Sales & Marketing Unit, which I lead as General Manager, is broadly divided into two areas: Infocommunications and Environment & Energy. Both areas are responsible for sales of products that support social infrastructure. As digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX) progress globally, we showcase our distinctive technologies, high-quality products, and comprehensive proposal capabilities in both the Infocommunications and Environment & Energy markets.

In the field of Infocommunications, we are taking on the challenge with a sense of mission and enthusiasm as a global top runner in fiber optic communication. In particular, we contribute to enhancing our customers’ competitiveness and maintaining their market advantages by providing fiber fusion splicers equipped with IoT technology, low-loss optical fibers, and optical connectors. With the increasing demand for data centers compatible with generative AI and the ongoing global advancement of DX and GX, we are fully committed to providing flexible sales and manufacturing solutions that meet the needs of our key customers, particularly Big Tech companies in North America.

In the future, investments in Infocommunications infrastructure, particularly for data centers, are expected to continue to grow. We aim to establish and sustain our position as a global top runner by further strengthening our domestic and international sales networks and making proactive investments based on accurate order forecasts.

In the field of Environment & Energy, the domestic and international demand remains strong due to the movement towards GX. In particular, there is an increasing demand for interconnectors (international power interconnection lines) in Europe, where the adoption of renewable energy is gaining momentum. We aim to further expand our market share with our direct current (DC) power cables that use proprietary insulation materials. These products, developed with our unique material technology, can operate at higher temperatures than competitor products, allowing us to reduce conductor size, which in turn offers significant benefits to users, such as cost reduction and reducing environmental impact.

Leveraging this product, we supplied cables for the high-voltage DC transmission system Nemo Link that connects the UK and Belgium and completed its installation. Since the start of operation in 2019, the system has been successfully operating without incident as the world's only DC interconnector at the highest voltage. This track record has garnered support from the UK government, leading to Sumitomo Electric's decision in 2023 to independently construct a submarine cable factory in Scotland. As the UK aims for “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, there is an urgent need for the early installation of offshore power cables to transport electricity generated from offshore wind in the north to consumers in the south. The new factory will not only supply submarine cables but also help create jobs and build a supply chain in Scotland, contributing to economic development.

The fiscal year 1991, when I graduated from university, was at the peak of the bubble economy in Japan. At that time, the atmosphere was such that financial institutions were leading Japan. However, I struggled to grasp the idea of dealing with something intangible. Rather, I intended to work for an infrastructure-related company in the tangible manufacturing industry so that I could broadly contribute to society. With this motivation, I desired to join Sumitomo Electric. Moreover, encountering those who have a pride in supporting infrastructure through job interviews with the employer and alumni from my university contributed to my motivation to join the company, as I thought, “I want to work with such people.” I have been consistently involved in wire-related sales for over 30 years, and I’m confident that my decision to join the company was the right one.

My motto is “Never give up. Do my best until the end.” I also believe that I can move forward somehow if I proceed with my work, upholding “Banji-nissei (Do your sincere best)” in the Sumitomo Spirit. It was in my late 30s when I came to truly believe this. At that time, I was in charge of sales for network devices targeting communication carriers in Japan.

I was determined to make a strong entry into the new core products for internet devices for use in offices and homes, eagerly working to secure orders. I purchased parts in advance and ensured delivery dates by proceeding with pre-manufacturing before submitting my bid. However, I faced unexpected competition from existing manufacturers that submitted bids at surprisingly low prices, resulting in a lost opportunity. Despite assuring the executives that I would definitely secure the order, I ended up losing the order, which left me in a daze, thinking ”My career at the company is over.”

Thanks to my supervisor and colleagues who encouraged me with the idea that failure from taking a challenge is acceptable as long as it leads to the next step, I was able to continue my work. I believe that the corporate culture encouraging challenges has shaped who I am today.

Although I lost the bid, I didn’t give up on having the project adopted. I continued to make diligent technical proposals to the customer, listening to their problems and steadily keeping the motto of “doing my best until the end” in my mind. Eventually, there were movements about adopting the next model, which would have ten times the transmission speed. My contributions through 10 years of technical proposals were recognized, and I succeeded in securing the order. Furthermore, I also achieved adoption with other communication carriers where I was simultaneously conducting proposal activities. I was truly delighted. This success is a result of the support from my colleagues in the business unit who engaged with my technical proposals. By the way, this product has surpassed 20 billion yen in cumulative sales by the fiscal year 2024 and has now become a flagship product of the business unit.

With a history of over 125 years, Sumitomo Electric has provided high-quality products and services based on its extensive experience and advanced technological capabilities. While expanding businesses across a wide range of fields, we have acquired core technologies and a diverse workforce that supports them, boasting a global supply network and large-scale production capacity. It is because of these strengths that we can respond quickly and flexibly to changing environments and customer expectations.

As someone responsible for sales of the Sumitomo Electric Group, I feel a great sense of purpose in contributing to solving global challenges together with our customers. Moving forward, my goal is to provide close support to our customers with high expertise and flexible thinking, and to shape the future alongside them. As a company that continues to lead the industry, we are committed to contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

Eiji Sakai

1991
Joined Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

2017
General Manager, Power Cable & System Sales Division

2020
General Manager (President) of Sumitomo Electric Trading (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (SETS) [formerly: Sumiden Asia (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (SEAC)]

2022
General Manager, Sales Planning & Marketing Division

2023
Executive Officer
Deputy General Manager, Social Infrastructure Sales & Marketing Unit

2024
Managing Executive Officer
General Manager, Social Infrastructure Sales & Marketing Unit