A look at Japan’s latest hydrogen strategy

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🗞️ Driving the news: The Kishida administration in Japan has been actively promoting the establishment of international hydrogen supply chains, collaborating with countries in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East
• Partnerships have been developed with countries like Australia and the United Arab Emirates

🔭 The context: Japan's previous national hydrogen strategy, formulated in 2017, received criticism for prioritizing fossil fuel-based grey or blue hydrogen
• Japan’s new 2023 hydrogen strategy aims to address these concerns and focuses on expanding supply, transitioning to low-carbon hydrogen, and establishing international hydrogen energy supply chains
• The strategy emphasizes the use of hydrogen and ammonia in power generation, mobility, and various industries

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: By increasing the supply of hydrogen and ammonia, reducing supply costs, and attracting investments into the hydrogen and ammonia supply chain sector, Japan aims to contribute to global decarbonization efforts and address the ongoing global energy crisis

⏭️ What's next: The Japanese government plans to provide necessary subsidies to bridge the cost gap between hydrogen-ammonia and fossil fuels
• The government also intends to enhance hydrogen safety regulations and create a hydrogen-friendly environment

💬 One quote: "We would like to steadily build a supply chain for hydrogen in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region by further expanding Japan's (hydrogen) technology, which has been world-leading."  (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi)

📈 One stat: The 2023 Hydrogen Strategy aims to increase Japan's hydrogen and ammonia supply to 3 million tons by 2030, 12 million tons by 2040, and 20 million tons by 2050 

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