The well-developed energy dialogue between Japan and the EU has gone up a level following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between trade bodies Hydrogen Europe and the Japan Hydrogen Association (JHA).

By focusing on the exchange and alignment of regulatory frameworks and policies, facilitating the trade in hydrogen and its derivatives and enhancing funding and financing instruments, Japan and the EU are working to elevate the profile of hydrogen at the international level.

With both sides having set long-term ambitions of being climate-neutral by 2050, closer cooperation in hydrogen facilitated through the MOU will play a pivotal role in their transition drive. 

The EU's hydrogen strategy focuses on the advancement of renewable hydrogen, setting the ambitious goal of producing 10mt/yr domestically and importing an additional 10mt/yr by 2030. Japan's 'Basic Hydrogen Strategy' mirrors this ambition, aiming to boost hydrogen use to 12mt/yr by 2040.

“The agreement with the JHA is a major step forward in our joint efforts to create a robust international hydrogen market. By combining our complementary expertise in regulatory frameworks, technology development and trade policies, our collaboration will not only advance hydrogen technologies but also set the stage for a comprehensive and integrated hydrogen economy,” said Stephen Jackson, deputy CEO of Hydrogen Europe.

As frontrunners in hydrogen technology, the EU and Japan have a history of collaboration on hydrogen development and use. The EU-Japan Green Alliance of 2021 emphasised hydrogen's role in enhancing renewable energy integration and fostering international cooperation.

Building on this, in 2022 both parties signed a memorandum of cooperation on hydrogen aimed at encouraging governments, industry players, and regional and local entities from both sides to explore deeper collaboration in the hydrogen sector. Formalised during the EU-Japan Hydrogen Business Forum, co-chaired by Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, this agreement plays a pivotal role in the ‘realisation of a hydrogen society’, as both sides deepen their cooperation in the field.

The government’s Japan External Trade Organisation expressed strong support for this cooperation between Japanese and European industry associations.

“We believe that our collaboration with Hydrogen Europe can be particularly beneficial in terms of technological development,” remarked Takeshi Uchiyamada, chairman of the JHA.

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Author: Shweta Dilawari