Kawasaki Story - It all began in a shipyard in 1878…

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Our Story

SHOZO KAWASAKI.

1930

It all began in a shipyard in 1878 by this man, Shozo Kawasaki.

Today, KAWASAKI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, a massive global engineering based company who operate in very diverse markets, but always at the forefront of cutting edge technology.

Full-scale production of motorcycles commenced over fifty years ago. Our first motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines.
Our entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by Kawasaki’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Over the years we have released numerous new models that have helped shape the market, and in the process, created many enduring legends based on the speed and power of our machines. In 1996, we produced our 10 millionth vehicle, a testament to Kawasaki’s ability to meet the needs of a wide range of riders. As Kawasaki continues to "Let the good times roll," our latest challenges will surely give birth to new legends.

Mine's a Kawasaki!

Aerospace
Shipbuilding
Rolling Stock
Energy Plants & Facilities
Environment & Recycling
Industrial Equipment
Infrastructure
Leisure & Power Products

KAWASAKI’S EXPERTISE

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) is engaged in building transportation systems for the 21st century, and in doing so, is utilizing the wealth of technological know-how it has accumulated over the past 100 years. The ship building division has led the world in producing ever larger, ever faster, increasingly automated ships. It is constantly striving to find ways to increase ship manufacturing and navigation efficiency while conserving energy. So far, the quest has resulted in the development of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, high-speed ships and other future-oriented marine technologies.

By applying aviation principles, a Jetfoil that speeds above the water at an amazing 45 knots is one project that has become reality. Kawasaki led Japan's shipbuilding consortium formed to build the Techno-Superliner. This exciting new vessel is planned to carry a payload of approximately 1,000 tons and travel at a cruising speed of 50 knots.

Kawasaki is supplying rolling stock for the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train as well as other trains. The company is now developing a next-generation Shinkansen that will travel at a top speed of 240 mph. Kawasaki's expertise extends well beyond simply the development and manufacture of rolling stock. As a systems integrator, Kawasaki engineers total railway transportation systems, from train operation control to rolling stock inspection and repair operations.
In the aircraft sector, Kawasaki is engaged in a broad range of activities as a manufacturer of both aircraft bodies and engines. At present, the company is manufacturing the Kawasaki-developed MBB K117 helicopter and portions of the latest passenger aircraft, the Boeing 777. Kawasaki is also an important player in the project to develop the Supersonic Transport (SST), a plane that will travel at altitudes of 60,000 to 90,000 feet at a speed of Mach 2.5 and will carry from 200 to 300 passengers. Kawasaki's high-speed transportation technologies also extend beyond the atmosphere of earth in the new quest to utilize space and its resources.

KAWASAKI’S AERONAUTICS

Kawasaki continues to strengthen and expand its capabilities in aircraft engine development and production by manufacturing helicopter engines for Ministry of Defence, and participating in the joint international development and production of turbofan engines for such passenger aircraft as the V2500, the RB211/Trent, the PW4000 and the CF34, and aircraft auxiliary power units (APU).
The Company technological capabilities are also honed through its participation in the research and development of an environment friendly small aircraft engine.

Kawasaki participation in space development began with work for NASDA, currently the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), on the N rocket launch complex, an acoustic test facility, and an experimental geodetic satellite.

Since the 1990s, the Company has been responsible for the development and production of the payload fairings, payload attach fittings (PAF) and the construction of the launch complex for the H-II rocket. It continues to provide services for the H-IIA rocket.

Kawasaki also has experience participating in such projects as the development of the reusable launch vehicles for spacecraft that will handle future space transport. Space robotics projects such as the Japanese Experiment Module for the International Space Station, the HOPE-X experimental orbiting plane, and the docking mechanism for the Engineering Test Satellite VII (ETS-VII) are other areas in which the Company has played an important role. Currently, Kawasaki is involved in the development of a stratospheric platform and manned space technology, including the training of astronauts.

Kawasaki's civil engineering and construction machinery is contributing to the creation of new towns with its bridges and high-rise buildings. The success of the Eurotunnel, the large-scale project that links England to France, owes much to the two tunnel boring machines made by Kawasaki. The company also built the shield machines — the worlds largest, at more than 46 feet in diameter — for the construction of the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway.
Bridge construction is another Kawasaki strength. The company recently completed a main tower of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. When completed, this will be the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Plus, Kawasaki is doing its utmost to fulfill its responsibilities to the planet by being environmentally conscious. It is making every effort to develop environment-friendly plants, technologies to protect the earth, new sources of energy that will help ensure a stable supply of resources and energy, and energy-conserving and recycling technologies.
The Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP), for example, uses lowpolluting natural gas to turn the turbines that generate power, while exhaust heat is used to generate additional electricity. Kawasaki's resource recycling system uses heat from city refuse incinerators to power coolers and heaters and to heat water; it also collects reusable resources from various types of refuse.
Other technologies, including water treatment, flue gas desulfurization and denitration plants, are also proving highly effective in the protection of the environment and the conservation of energy. Kawasaki is always monitoring future technologies and is well positioned to enter the era of fusion energy that will follow.
The Kawasaki name represents a technological enterprise whose activities range from large-scale, international projects to items used in daily life and for recreation. And at every step, Kawasaki pays the utmost attention to humankind and the environment. The past 100 years of innovation has enabled Kawasaki to establish a firm foundation as a leading technological enterprise. Now, the company is fully prepared to welcome the new century and looks forward to playing a leading role in the advancement of humankind and to another century of innovation.

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