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Japan Revises Basic Hydrogen Strategy for First Time in Six Years, Eyes Global Market

On June 6, the Japanese government revised its Basic Hydrogen Strategy PDF file (opens in new window) for the first time in six years. It has set a new target of increasing the "amount of hydrogen introduced" to 12 million tons per year by 2040, which is the sum of domestic hydrogen production and purchase of hydrogen from overseas, and has stated that the public and private sectors together will invest 15 trillion yen over the next 15 years. It also set a target of around 15 gigawatts (GW) of water electrolysis equipment to be installed by Japanese and foreign companies by 2030. The cost target for hydrogen remained unchanged at around 30 yen/normal lube (Nm3, note) in 2030 and 20 yen/Nm3 in the future.


In 2017, Japan became the first country in the world to announce a national hydrogen strategy. It positioned hydrogen as an energy source that would realize the basic perspectives of Japan's energy policy: energy security, economic efficiency, and environmental compatibility and safety (3E+S). In this revision, the "Hydrogen Industry Strategy," which did not appear in the 2017 Basic Strategy for Hydrogen, is included as an important pillar. Nine technologies in which Japan has strengths, such as water electrolysis equipment, are designated as strategic fields and supported intensively. In addition to the conventional energy policy aspect, the revision of the strategy emphasizes the industrial policy aspect of supporting hydrogen-related industries by promoting the technologies and products of Japanese companies in domestic and overseas markets, thereby strengthening the industrial competitiveness of Japanese companies.

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