Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation President and CEO Hiroshi Kubota

2025.07.08

Giving shape to on-site answers. Tackling social issues through trust business.

■ Profile
He joined Mitsubishi Trust Bank (now Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation) in 1992. He started in corporate sales at the Ueno branch, was seconded to the Ministry of Finance, and worked in market operations at the London branch, before alternating between corporate planning and large corporate sales. He served as General Manager of the Financial Planning Department at the holding company Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Managing Executive Officer of the Sales Division at Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, before assuming his current position in April 2025.

Trust banks play a role in contributing to the resolution of social issues through trust services such as asset succession, corporate pensions, real estate brokerage and management, and securities agency services, while accepting, managing, and operating customer assets. We spoke to Hiroshi Kubota, president of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a leading company in the trust industry that continues to grow, about the philosophy and strengths that the company values.

During my student days, I put the most effort into club activities. I was a member of the University of Tokyo's lacrosse club and spent every day practicing. I also participated in a tour of the United States with friends from other universities, and worked to promote the sport in Japan.
From my third year, I decided to aim for the Certified Public Accountant qualification with an eye to the future. Studying for the qualification while also working part-time as a private tutor was tough, but looking back now, I think it was a very fulfilling time.
During my job search, I wanted to utilize my financial knowledge in investment management, so I mainly considered the life insurance and financial industries. At the time, it was the bubble era, and it was a seller's market for students. While I often responded to approaches from companies, the only one I called myself was Mitsubishi Trust Bank (now Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation). I was attracted by the scale of the company, where I could be involved in investments on the scale of 1 trillion yen, and the culture that respects the challenges of young people, so I decided to join the company.

Diverse career experience

Since joining the company, I have gained a wide range of experience, moving between the field and the Corporate Planning Department. Particularly memorable was my first time working overseas at the London branch. Being able to be involved in operations, which was something I had always wanted to do, was a very rewarding experience.
When I returned to Japan from London, I was assigned to the Integration Planning Office in preparation for the merger of Mitsubishi Trust Bank and UFJ Trust Bank. Normally, there is a two-month preparation period for returning to Japan, but I returned with my family in just two weeks and immediately began working hard towards the merger with UFJ Trust Bank. In the year leading up to the merger, I worked until late at night every day, and was so busy that taking a taxi home was a daily occurrence, but the sense of accomplishment I felt when I finally got it done was exceptional.
I have had other difficult experiences as well. One was when I was in charge of Tokyo Electric Power Company as a manager of corporate sales when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. We faced the unprecedented situation of a nuclear meltdown, and in addition to our role as a bank in supporting reconstruction, we also had to face social issues, which was an extremely difficult situation.
Another was when Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) decided to transfer its lending business to Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation would specialize in trust services. As I was the one in charge of this reorganization in the Corporate Planning Department, I first had to explain the reorganization to many of the members who had previously been involved in finance. It was extremely difficult to explain the reorganization to my colleagues, who had worked so passionately until then. However, when they finally agreed and we were able to complete this project together in a short space of time, I felt grateful to them and proud to have worked with them. I believe that the entire company now shares the understanding that "that reorganization enabled us to concentrate management resources on trust services, which has given us great strengths, such as expanding our trust services globally."
There are many aspects of the experience I gained in the Corporate Planning Department that I can still use today. Back then, there were many situations where I had to think from the perspective of "What would I do if I were the president?", and I believe that this kind of training built the foundation for who I am today.

■What I have valued in order not to lose sight of the essence

There are a few ways of thinking that I have held dear throughout my career. One is the attitude that "I am not always right." That is why, even in my current position, I always try to listen carefully to what others have to say and to actively communicate with them on a daily basis.
When trouble occurs, instead of getting emotional, I first listen carefully to what the other person has to say. I also make a conscious effort to ask myself, "Who is this for?" By returning to the perspective of "for the customer" and "for the company as a whole," I am often able to get closer to a fundamental solution, and things ultimately go well.
On the other hand, I have always been conscious of asserting opinions I believe in. Even when speaking to my superiors, I would always preface my opinions with "Please excuse my words," and would never give up. This is why, even now as president, I want to continue to listen to the voices of those on the front lines, and I want my employees to actively assert themselves as well. I am always conscious of the fact that "the answers lie close to the front lines, in the form of customers and the market." I believe that my role as a manager is to give shape to the answers I find there.

■ Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation's unique strengths

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation's greatest feature is that it is one of the largest trust banks in Japan, and has the largest number of overseas bases among trust banks, and is expanding its business globally. In order to meet the globalizing needs of its customers, the bank is actively expanding overseas, and its gross profits have grown to account for approximately 45% of its total.
Another major feature is that we can leave domestic lending operations to Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, a member of MUFG, and focus purely on trust services, which only a trust bank can perform. Trusts are an essential function for Japan's future. They play an important role in various aspects of life and business, such as asset succession, corporate pensions, and real estate management and operation, by "being trusted and entrusted on behalf of people." However, trust services tend to be put off because they require time-consuming arrangements for each client and project, and take time to generate profits. Despite this, we, as a bank specializing in trust services, are constantly demonstrating our innovativeness and expertise and continuing to take on new challenges in order to fulfill our social role.
Furthermore, we take pride in having been a leader in the trust industry for many years, and are proactive in undertaking innovative initiatives. For example, we introduced a scheme that combines blockchain technology with trust functions, creating a system for breaking down real estate worth 100 billion yen into smaller lots in 1 yen increments and distributing them, pioneering a new market. Our ability to be involved in such system design and even in the digital realm is another appealing feature of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking.
In addition, we believe that a major strength of our company is that we have an environment in place where young employees can gain a wide range of experience within a small, elite team.

■Message to university students

The trust business is a field that is constantly seeking new challenges as social issues change with the times. That is why we are looking for students who continue to hone themselves and who can freely express their opinions to join us.
Our goal is to become "the number one trust bank in Japan in every field." If we are not a company that continues to grow, our employees will not feel that "I'm glad I work here." That is why we want to create an environment where each and every employee can continue to take on challenges with pride.
Being a university student is the time in your life when you have the most free time. Now is the time to find something you can devote your heart to and take the plunge and try it. As an aside, I often go jogging on my days off. When I'm moving my body, ideas sometimes come to me, and time to clear my mind is invaluable. I'm sure that "time to be empty" will be a great hint for you when you're thinking about something.

Student Newspaper Online, June 10, 2025, Interview by Ikehama Momoka, 4th year student at Sophia University

Ayuki Erikawa, 1st year student at the University of Information, Management and Innovation / Momoka Ikehama, 4th year student at Sophia University / Aoi Watanabe, 1st year student at Hosei University