HYDROGEN NEWSLETTER - VOLUME 4 2025 FROM JAPAN HYDROGEN ASSOCIATION (JH2A)
Editorial Team: Hitoshi Nagatsugu, Yu Kashiwagi, Yuichi Saotome, Yosuke Hanakawa, Tomoki Fujinaga, Takahiro Maruyama, Yoshie Ambe, Koichi Wada
1. Hydrogen Supply Chain / Japan: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Shokubai Develop Ammonia Cracking Technology
MHI and Nippon Shokubai have been selected for NEDO’s “Technology Development Project for Building a Competitive Hydrogen Supply Chain.” The aim is to commercialize ammonia cracking systems, using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier, toward a medium-scale distributed hydrogen supply system. They have developed a proprietary catalyst that does not use precious metals and operates efficiently at low temperatures. MHI plans to complete the design of a demonstration plant by fiscal year 2027.
2. Hydrogen Utilization / Japan: Kawasaki Heavy Industries Conducts Japan’s First Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Tank Filling Test for Hydrogen Aircraft
KHI has successfully completed Japan’s first liquid hydrogen filling test for an aircraft-grade fuel tank. The test at JAXA’s Noshiro Rocket Test Center confirmed high insulation and airtightness under cryogenic conditions. This project is part of NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund, targeting a full-technology integration demonstration by 2030.
3. Hydrogen Utilization / Japan: Nikkiso Successfully Completes Prototype Testing of Liquefied Hydrogen Pump for Hydrogen Aircraft
Nikkiso has successfully tested the second prototype of a liquefied hydrogen pump for hydrogen aircraft, significantly improving suction performance, flow rate, and discharge pressure compared to previous models. The pump will be delivered to KHI by March 2026 for fuel supply system verification.
4. Hydrogen Utilization / Japan: Hioki Electric Launches EIS Measurement System ALDAS-α for Fuel Cells & Water Electrolysis Cells
ALDAS-α is an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) system designed for R&D, enabling fast and accurate evaluation of the performance and degradation of fuel cells and electrolysis cells. It can measure up to 8 cells simultaneously and integrates easily with existing equipment.
5. Hydrogen Utilization / Japan: Mitsubishi Fuso Unveils Two Hydrogen-Powered Heavy-Duty Trucks at Japan Mobility Show 2025
Two hydrogen truck models were showcased: the H2FC (fuel cell vehicle using liquid hydrogen, range 1,200 km) and the H2IC (hydrogen combustion engine vehicle, range 700 km). The sLH2 technology reduces hydrogen boil-off and simplifies refueling stations.
6. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: JR Central Conducts Public Demonstration of Hydrogen Engine Test Run for Railways
JR Central publicly demonstrated a simulated run of a rail vehicle using a hydrogen engine instead of fuel cells, achieving an equivalent speed of 75 km/h. This marks progress in replacing diesel engines, with practical implementation targeted after 2040.
7. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Mitsubishi Chemical Machinery Sells Hydrogen Tan Tan Noodles Through “KAWASAKI SOUL” Project
This public-private-academic collaboration project created tan tan noodles cooked using a hydrogen burner and soup heated with electricity from a fuel cell. Over 400 bowls were sold, reducing approximately 2.5 kg of CO₂ compared to LP gas cooking.
8. Hydrogen Supply Chain / Japan: INPEX Opens “Kashiwazaki Hydrogen Park” for Blue Hydrogen & Ammonia Production and Utilization
This is Japan’s first integrated demonstration project covering the entire process from blue hydrogen/ammonia production to utilization, incorporating CO₂ capture and storage. The project is supported by NEDO and conducted in collaboration with JOGMEC.
9. Hydrogen Production / Domestic: Shintoku Unveils Standalone Hydrogen Energy System “Forest Hydrogen Battery”
The integrated system produces hydrogen through water electrolysis, stores it in low-pressure containers, and generates electricity on demand. Suitable for off-grid, remote, and emergency applications.
10. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Toyota Tests Liquid Hydrogen Engine in Endurance Racing
Toyota used a liquid hydrogen-fueled GR Corolla in the Super Endurance Series, integrating superconducting technology to increase tank capacity and improve performance.
11. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Kobe Steel’s Low-CO₂ Steel “Kobenable®” Adopted by Toyota for Mass-Produced Vehicles
Kobenable® Premier steel, which reduces CO₂ emissions by 100% in production, has been adopted for Toyota’s mass-produced vehicles for the first time, marking a step forward in decarbonizing the steel industry.
12. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Saitama City Partners with Toyota Boshoku for Hydrogen Bicycle Events
Saitama City and Toyota Boshoku are collaborating to promote hydrogen use, including hydrogen bicycle demonstrations at the Tour de France Saitama Criterium and Cycle Festa.
13. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Yamaha Motor Opens Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility “ZERO BLUE LAB Mimori”
The facility focuses on reducing CO₂ emissions in manufacturing processes, using hydrogen-compatible furnaces and heat treatment equipment, with plans to introduce green hydrogen production and methanation technology after 2026.
14. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Miyoshi City Introduces Fuel Cell Small Truck for School Lunch Delivery
The first fuel cell small truck in Aichi Prefecture has been deployed for school lunch delivery, emitting zero CO₂ during operation.
15. Hydrogen Utilization / Domestic: Koto Ward Introduces Hydrogen Fuel Cell Garbage Collection Trucks
Koto Ward is the first in Tokyo to introduce hydrogen fuel cell garbage trucks, supporting its goal of becoming a “Zero Carbon City.”
16. Hydrogen Utilization / Japan: NTT DOCOMO Begins Demonstration of Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Base Stations
DOCOMO has started a demonstration test using green hydrogen fuel cells as emergency power sources for commercial base stations, reducing CO₂ emissions compared to traditional methanol fuel cells.
Summary:
Volume 4 of the JH2A Newsletter highlights the rapid and diverse development of Japan’s hydrogen ecosystem—from ammonia cracking technology and transportation applications (aircraft, trucks, railways) to community projects and public-private partnerships. Major companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Kawasaki, along with local governments and research institutions, are actively driving the energy transition toward Japan’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050.
