Japan announced the launch of a hydrogen supply chain with Australia, as part of a greater goal of expanding hydrogen supply chain networks throughout Asia, as reported by Nikkei Asia on March 4. The bilateral hydrogen supply chain will link Victoria state, Australia’s renewable energy hub, and Kawasaki, a city located southwest of Tokyo in the Keihin industrial zone. The partnership between the two countries was formed at the first ministerial meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), an alliance of 11 countries including Japan, Australia, and all ASEAN members except Myanmar. Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida stated at the meeting that, Asia demands as many energy options as possible, and hydrogen and ammonia are options.

The hydrogen supply chain between Victoria and Kawasaki marks further clean energy cooperation between Japan and Australia. In January 2020, the two countries signed the Australia-Japan Joint Statement of Cooperation on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, an initiative affirming Australia’s potential as a major exporter of hydrogen, with Japan as a key recipient. The initiative was followed by the Australia-Japan Clean Hydrogen Trade Partnership announced in January 2022, when former prime minister Scott Morrison stressed that clean hydrogen is key to achieving net zero emissions and promoting economic and job growth in both countries. To ensure energy security and combat climate change, Japan plans to boost its annual hydrogen supply, including imports, from about 2m tons now to 3m tons by 2030, while Australia aims to become a global leader in hydrogen industry by then.

Sources:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Climate-Change/Japan-Australia-to-partner-on-hydrogen-supply-for-energy-shift

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/japan-australia-building-hydrogen-supply-chain

https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2020/01/24/australia-and-japan-agree-to-hydrogen-future/

https://arena.gov.au/blog/australia-signs-hydrogen-export-deal-with-japan/

https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/more-than-20-countries-agree-boost-low-emission-hydrogen-output-by-2030-2022-09-26/

https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2423820-australia-to-review-national-hydrogen-strategy-update