The nine private companies (listed below) that are engaged in the construction and expansion of a hydrogen society announce that they are launching a new preparatory committee called “JAPAN Hydrogen association (JH2A)” to promote the formation of a hydrogen supply chain and global partnerships in the hydrogen sector. With hydrogen anticipated to play an important and central role in curbing global warming, Japan is expected to continue to take the lead globally through innovative steps. By establishing a hydrogen society as well as partnering with various stakeholders, JH2A will look to cultivate the hydrogen industry and promote initiatives toward its development. Working together with other companies, local governments and organizations who are willing to support such initiatives, the preparatory committee aims to establish the new organization at the beginning of December.
Members of the preparatory committee (in alphabetical order)
*Indicates companies with secretarial roles
ENEOS Corporation, Iwatani Corporation*,Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd., MITSUI & CO., Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.*, The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc., Toshiba Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation*
Aim & scope of the activities of the new committee
The new JAPAN Hydrogen association will partner and collaborate with existing businesses and organizations as it works toward constructing the hydrogen value chain. JH2A will create plans on providing functions to promote initiatives, coordinate with external stakeholders, and conduct research.
- Engage in cross-sectoral initiatives to establish the hydrogen value chain
- Accelerate developments toward social implementation to realize a hydrogen society
- Promote the establishment of systems for the supply of funds with financial institutions
Background of new committee
As many countries accelerate initiatives toward realizing a hydrogen society, possibilities and issues related to promoting the use of hydrogen to reduce CO2 emissions have been debated in Japan. Various corporations are partnering for the expansion of demand of hydrogen, supply of low cost hydrogen, and promotion of the use of hydrogen. The above mentioned member companies have recognized the need for a cross-sectoral organization that aims to resolve the issues of creating demand in hydrogen, reducing cost through scale-up of hydrogen use and technological innovation, along with the supply of funds to businesses, and have become to consider concrete steps toward establishing this new committee.
SOURCE: Toyota