Sectors & markets

Learning Expedition H2-BATT: Five days of meetings dedicated to clean mobility

Organised by the CCIFJ in partnership with the Pôle Véhicule du Futur

Japan, an essential destination

If there is one country that has brought all modes of transportation, rail, automotive, aviation and more, to the highest level of sophistication, it is Japan. To fully understand the future of mobility, both in terms of vehicles and usage, it is essential to immerse oneself in this ecosystem today.

This conviction led the Pôle Mobilités du Futur, a network of around 500 French industrial players from industry, education and research working on mobility issues, to prepare a mission to Japan. The organisation of this mission was entrusted to the Business Support Division of the CCI France Japan, a natural choice given its experienced Franco Japanese, trilingual and bicultural team, capable of adapting to all types of clients, and reflecting the very diversity of the Chamber itself.

Monday 15 January 2024 marked the beginning of a week long study tour focused on hydrogen and battery technologies, for a delegation of 15 French companies. Over five days, participants were accompanied across Japan to meet six Japanese companies and three laboratories, renowned for their strong commitment to clean mobility and carbon neutrality. Our objective was to ensure that participants were in the best possible conditions to fully benefit from this unique opportunity.

From Kobe to Fukushima, via Tokyo, the French companies were able to discover the many developments underway in Japan, including fuel cells, hydrogen technologies, H2 ecosystems, and their multiple potential applications.

Weekly Program :

• Monday, January 15, 2024 

Morning – visit to Kobelco

Kobelco, a key player in steel manufacturing in Japan, is also a major producer and distributor of hydrogen. The company is particularly specialized in the manufacturing of components for hydrogen refueling stations and works closely with Toyota on its Mirai model, which is powered by a fuel cell.

Afternoon – Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, one of the three giants of heavy industry manufacturing in Japan, is also deeply involved in the hydrogen market. The company is notably known for having designed the world’s largest liquid hydrogen carrier, the Suiso Frontier, with a storage capacity of 1,250 cubic meters, as well as large liquid hydrogen storage tanks installed directly at the Port of Kobe.

Evening – Networking at the Ana Crowne Hotel Plaza Kobe

This event brought together the fifteen participating companies and the largest hydrogen cluster in the Hyōgo region. The evening was marked by presentations from local companies active in the hydrogen sector, a panel discussion on the topic “Liquid hydrogen and internal combustion engines, perspectives and needs ?”, and a networking cocktail.

• Tuesday, January 16, 2024 

Morning – Yamaha Motor Company

Well known for its strong position in the mobility market, the teams at Yamaha Motor Company are currently involved in several programs aimed at achieving decarbonized mobility through the use of hydrogen. In 2022, in partnership with Toyota, the company launched the development of hydrogen engines and, in 2023, introduced its first marine engine powered by liquid hydrogen.

Afternoon – FC-Cubic

The FC Cubic laboratory was created through a collaboration between five private companies, six universities and AIST, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. This laboratory is known for its work on the development of polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems, particularly focusing on the development of single cell fuel cells. Until now, the technology had been limited to dual cell systems, making this a major technological breakthrough.

• Wednesday, January 17, 2024 

Morning - National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

AIST is currently working on the development of innovative solutions for the storage of new energy sources such as hydrogen. In particular, the institute is developing a system designed to increase battery overcapacity in order to enhance its storage potential.

Afternoon - Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research field (FH2R)

This research site, operated by NEDO, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, hosts a laboratory specialized in battery research, hydrogen energy applications and fuel cell technologies. The site also plans to produce 1,200 cubic normal meters of decarbonized green hydrogen per hour, operating 24 hours a day. This production could continuously supply up to 150 households and 560 fuel cell equipped vehicles.

• Thursday, January 18, 2024 

Morning – IHI

IHI, a major engineering player in Japan, known for its vision of creating a world where nature and technology work in harmony, is investing significant resources and efforts in the development of zero carbon mobility technologies. Its Yokohama center, which the delegation had the opportunity to visit, specializes in the production of ammonia using hydrogen, with the objective of decarbonizing its emissions.

Afternoon – University of Tokyo

The delegation also visited a research laboratory led by Tatsuoki Kono, Professor in the Hydrogen and Energy Unit of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, which specializes in hydrogen studies. The University of Tokyo, the most prestigious university in the country, conducts extensive research on the development of cutting edge technologies, particularly on the use of hydrogen as an energy source. In partnership with the University of Miyazaki, its researchers were the first to produce hydrogen using solar energy in a cost effective and stable manner.

Evening – Seminar and Networking at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan

The evening began with a seminar led by Mr. Takashi Yatabe, General Manager of the Hydrogen Department at TEPCO, on the topic “Development of hydrogen utilization technologies toward carbon neutrality, promoting indirect electrification”, followed by a networking cocktail bringing together more than fifty participants.

• Friday, January 19, 2024 

Morning - Nissan

The day began with a visit to Nissan’s All Solid State Battery research center in Yokosuka. Known for its leading position in the automotive industry, Nissan envisions the development of electric vehicles powered by solid electrolyte batteries. The Yokosuka laboratory is specifically dedicated to this innovation. According to Nissan’s projections, the first models equipped with this technology are expected to be launched around 2028.

Afternoon – Embassy of France in Japan

The week concluded with an insightful seminar focusing on the Japanese economy and energy trends. The seminar was structured around four presentations. The first, delivered by Christophe Grignon and Rémy Cardinet from the Regional Economic Service of the French Embassy in Tokyo, outlined government strategies, with a strong emphasis on hydrogen. The second presentation, by Professor Tatsuoki Kono from the University of Tokyo, explored hydrogen based energy systems powered by renewable energies in Japan. The third, presented by Professor Stéphane Heim from Kyoto University, shed light on global developments in the automotive industry in the context of electrification. Finally, Hirotaka Yasuzumi from Air Liquide Japan concluded the seminar by presenting the company’s activities in Japan. These presentations focused on the Japanese economy, its rapidly expanding hydrogen market and the Japanese government’s strategy regarding renewable energies.

This opportunity, entrusted to us by the French mobility cluster Pôle Véhicule du Futur, enabled the CCIFJ to establish new contacts while developing new expertise. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Bruno Jamet for offering us this valuable opportunity to connect Japanese and French know how.