On Monday, Japan and the European Union published a joint statement pledging to collaborate on improving clean hydrogen consumption and supply, thereby promoting associated technology. This programme aligns with Japan’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 and Europe’s plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels.
The European Commission’s Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson, emphasised the importance of hydrogen being a worldwide commodity. She emphasised the need for EU-Japan collaboration to develop renewable and low-carbon hydrogen globally while maintaining regulatory standardisation.
On Monday, Simson met with Ken Saito, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry. They co-chaired a Japan-EU hydrogen business roundtable featuring executives from major companies such as JERA, Tokyo Gas, Mitsui, and Iwatani. The EU intends to produce and import 10 million metric tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030. This step will require significant infrastructure investment.
Simson emphasised that hydrogen was an important part of Europe’s energy strategy for lowering reliance on Russian fossil fuels and decarbonising the industry in the long run.
Japan plans to invest more than 3 trillion yen over the next 15 years to encourage the generation of clean hydrogen.
