Energy Transition Challenges: China Outpaces Japan in Hydrogen Tech as Wind Projects Face Resistance
China's dominance in hydrogen technology, surpassing Japan in patents, with fuel costs at one-third of Japanese rates. 🎧AI-powered audio version is available in English and Japanese!
*Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 5/7/2025 on Linkedin.
Welcome! I'm Hiroyasu Ichikawa, ichi, and this is issue 151 of the "Japan Climate Curation" newsletter📬, which has been curating hand-picked Japan-related climate news content every week since spring 2022, with over 450 subscribers [ more than 2,810 on Linedin]. You can subscribe by clicking on the Linkedin page or the form below.
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🎧🗣️Audio Version of this newsletter, thanks to NotebookLM,
In English🇺🇲: Japan Climate Curation vol. 151
In Japanese🇯🇵: Japan Climate Curation vol. 151
【Digest of this week's topics】
This week highlights China's dominance in hydrogen technology, surpassing Japan in patents, with fuel costs at one-third of Japanese rates. Toyota warns that time is running out as China is leading global hydrogen vehicle sales. Mitsubishi Heavy is coordinating with suppliers to replace aging nuclear reactors with advanced models for the 2030s. Despite ambitious government targets, Japan's offshore wind initiatives face resistance from fishing communities. Internationally, Japan has agreed to support Thailand's industrial decarbonization, while NYK partners with Climeworks on carbon removal solutions. Meanwhile, Japan struggles to attract US researchers despite opportunities and negotiates with QatarEnergy for long-term LNG supply deals.
*Disclaimer: Generative AI tools such as Claude Sonet 3.7 and NotebookLM have been used for summary and translation assistance. 🙂
[🇯🇵📰👀Japan Climate News Headlines]
【1】🔬 China powers forward in hydrogen patents, outcompeting Japan [05/02 Nikkei Asia]
According to new research by Astamuse, China has surpassed Japan as the most competitive country in hydrogen-related patents. China leads in production, storage, shipment, and safety management fields. Following President Xi's 2030 carbon peak announcement, Chinese patent submissions doubled Japan's. Chinese hydrogen production equipment costs one-quarter of European equivalents, with China holding 60% of global electrolyzer manufacturing capacity.
【2】🚗 Toyota warns time running out to challenge China's lead in hydrogen vehicles [05/04 Financial Times]
Toyota's hydrogen chief, Mitsumasa Yamagata, warns that China is dominating hydrogen vehicle technology with fuel costs at one-third of Japan's rates and extensive refueling infrastructure. China now leads global hydrogen commercial vehicle sales with 7,069 units sold in 2024, exceeding all other regions combined. Toyota plans to use China's market as a testing ground before global expansion, with Yamagata cautioning: "We don't have much time left."
【3】⚛️ Mitsubishi Heavy talks to 200 suppliers to rebuild Japan nuclear reactors [05/07 Nikkei Asia]
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is discussing with over 200 suppliers to replace Japan's nuclear reactors with advanced light-water reactors planned for the 2030s. The company has confirmed availability for about 150 components so far. While new construction stalled after the Fukushima disaster, Japan's energy plan aims to replace decommissioned reactors with cutting-edge technology. Nuclear power is gaining renewed attention as a zero-emission energy source, with 22 countries pledging to triple capacity by 2050 at COP28.
【4】💨 In Japan, Wind Development Encounters Resistance [05/06 Earth Island Journal]
Japan's offshore wind power plans face resistance from fishing communities and conservation groups. While the government targets 10GW by 2030 and 45GW by 2040, concerns about developments in critical wildlife habitats and traditional fishing grounds grow. Fears for endangered white-tailed eagles and fishery resources have delayed projects nationwide. Japan's localized fishery rights system creates barriers, complicated by the central government's limited mediation capacity.
【5】🌊 Japan's Industrial Policy for Floating Offshore Wind [04/20 Energy Tracker Asia]
Japan is advancing floating offshore wind power, leveraging its geographical advantages. With 552GW potential in its EEZ but only 187.7MW currently installed, the Japan Wind Power Association targets 140GW by 2050 (60GW floating). Government support is provided through legislation and subsidies, while the private sector forms consortia like FLOWRA and FLOWCON. Challenges include rising material costs, slow permitting, infrastructure gaps, and grid constraints.
【6】🤝 Japan to collaborate on Thailand's decarbonization efforts [05/02 NHK World]
Japan has agreed to collaborate with Thailand to accelerate decarbonization in Thailand's industrial sector as part of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework established by Japan. This initiative aims to achieve carbon neutrality and economic growth by partnering with Southeast Asian nations. Officials from both countries participated in a signing ceremony in Bangkok on Tuesday. Many Japanese automakers already have production bases in Thailand.
【7】🌿 NYK partners with Climeworks to remove CO₂ through diverse carbon removal solutions [05/07 Climeworks]
Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has signed an agreement with Climeworks, a global leader in carbon removal, to remove CO₂ from the air until 2028, helping offset part of the shipping company's hard-to-abate residual emissions. The carbon removal portfolio includes three durable solutions: Biochar, Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage, and Enhanced Rock Weathering. As Climeworks' first carbon removal portfolio client from Japan, this partnership supports NYK's commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
【8】📰 Japan's low press freedom ranking signals self-censorship remains rife: analysts [05/06 The South China Morning Post]
Japan's low press freedom ranking among G7 nations indicates ongoing issues with political pressure, corporate influence, and self-censorship. Despite rising four places to 66th in RSF's annual survey, Japan remains the lowest-ranked G7 nation. The press club system promotes self-censorship by restricting access to government sources. Former Yomiuri Shimbun journalist Jake Adelstein notes self-censorship worsened under Prime Minister Abe.
【9】🎓 Japan falls behind on courting US scholars hit by Trump budget cuts [05/03 Nikkei Asia]
Japan is beginning efforts to attract US researchers who face uncertainty under Trump's budget cuts, but lag behind Europe and China's state-backed recruitment campaigns. Tokyo University's Professor Sato has received inquiries from American scholars and is considering fixed-term positions, though funding remains a significant obstacle. Few Japanese institutions are taking organizational initiatives, with only Hokkaido University developing a specific framework.
【10】⛽ Exclusive: QatarEnergy in talks with Japan on long-term LNG supply deal [05/02 Reuters]
Five trading and industry sources told Reuters that one of the world's biggest liquefied natural gas suppliers, QatarEnergy, is in talks with Japanese firms for a long-term deal to supply LNG from its North Field expansion project. Under the agreement, Qatar would supply a consortium of Japanese importers, and four sources said that a volume of at least 3 million metric tons per annum of gas would be split between them.
📬That's all for this week! Thank you for reading(or skimming) 🙇. I hope you will have a wonderful week ahead!
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