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22METRO RAIL NEWS -MAY - 2025 www.metrorailnews.in EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWQuestion 1. Mr. Naohiro Masuda, could you elaborate on your twodecade journey as the President & CEO of Nihon Sharyou Senjouki Co. Ltd. (JCW) and how your leadership has influenced the company%u2019s growth over the years?We are, at our core, a cleaning company and our focus is on delivering effective cleaning solutions. I have attributed the origins and the goal of bringing up the company. So, our primary goal is to exist for the customers. And we are just aiming to be the best in our sector. And we would like to be the world's best manufacturer one day.Question 2. Could you provide insights into the primary products and services JCW offers for the railway industry?We have a lot of products at hand. There are just too many to explain. A few examples would be car body washing equipment, boggy washing equipment, bearing washing, parts washing, etc. We also have wastewater treatment, recycling equipment, reverse osmosis water production equipment, and many others. To sum it up, we design and manufacture all the equipment that does the cleaning. Question 3. How has JCW evolved over the years to meet the dynamic demands of modern rail transportation?We have always challenged ourselves to meet our customers' needs and demands. We have never said that we cannot do what our customers request. We have also never received a complaint after we have delivered what has been requested of us. We put all the knowledge that we have into our products. We invite specialists to produce something that is lacking in our products. That is why our product today is much better than what it was years ago. We always strive to be better than what we were yesterday. Question 4. What distinguishes JCW%u2019s railcar cleaning and maintenance systems from others in the global market?The main thing would be that all of our equipment has a very low failure rate. According to our annual operating hours, it is down to less than 0.3%. We have also experienced very low stoppage rates, and we have been producing cleaning equipment for 70 years. Therefore, 70 years of experience is infused in our products and our machines. In the event of an unexpected breakdown, after receiving information, we have trained our maintenance system to respond to it within 24 hours. It is done for the convenience of our customers.Question 5. How do your solutions cater to both high-speed and urban rail systems, including metros and commuter trains?We cater to numerous customers from all over the world, such as Japan Railways, trains and mass rapid transport in Singapore, Hong Kong Subway, and many other Southeast Asian railways. It is a long, long list. We also cater to customers from different fields, such as the military, mining, food manufacturing companies, and many, many others. Different fields require different cleaning equipment. With all the knowledge and experience gained from our experience, it has made us more attuned to solving different systems of transportation and machinery.Question 6. JCW has been involved in various international railway projects. Could you share a few key collaborations or projects outside Japan?Recently, almost all major railway projects in Asia have incorporated our products, including the Hong Kong Airport Railway, Jakarta MRT (a mass rapid transit system), Manila Metro, and the Manila North%u2013South Commuter Line.Question 7. JCW is known for its railcar washing systems. What recent innovations or technologies have you introduced in this domain?Currently, we are developing unmanned cleaning equipment for the front and rear cars of high-speed trains. This system is being developed and produced in collaboration with one of the most renowned railroad companies in the world; however, we cannot disclose the name due to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This is the world%u2019s first unmanned washing system specifically designed for the front and rear sections of high-speed trains. This cleaning equipment will be something that is beyond our imagination, so after extensive testing, including the creation of a one-by-one scale mock-up model vehicle, it will be finished by December 2025 this year.Question 8. Automation is emerging as a core element in driving smooth operations. How does JCW integrate automation systems to improve efficiency and reduce operational downtime?Yes, automation is indeed one of our most important systems. Our current machines can operate unattended, but actions are performed for safety checks and operational purposes. However, with our current technology, we can build machines and systems that might not require human intervention one day. In the event of a breakdown in such a machine, the system can automatically inform the engineer, who can then sort it out.