Professor Katsuhiko Hirose, Visiting Professor Kyushu University and Professional Partner, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Katsuhiko Hirose obtained his bachelor’s degree in physics and BSC degree in applied physics from University of Nagoya and his PhD from Kyushu University in Mechanical Science. He joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1981 where he initially worked as a systems engineer specialising in engine control, emission control and hybrid control and played a central role during the development of the Prius, managing the fuel economy and emissions portfolio. Following this, he moved to the planning division to deploy hybrid technology worldwide. Katsuhiko subsequently worked in the field of fuel cell development and was for several years responsible for hydrogen energy and hydrogen infrastructure, playing an important role in the development and commercialisation of the Toyota Mirai, as well as Toyota's wider hydrogen vision. He retired from his full-time Toyota role in 2015 but remains a Professional Partner, providing insight and advice at a strategic level. In 2015 he took on a Visiting Professorship at Kyushu University, where he is particularly interested not only in the technical and scientific but also the societal role of renewable energy and hydrogen technology.