Japanese Hydrogen Association Launches $1bn Fund to Boost Global Hydrogen Supply Chains
Strengthening hydrogen technologies, supply chains, and clean energy economies, potentially fostering cross-border collaborations.
The Japanese Hydrogen Association (JH2A), supported by some of Japan’s largest corporations, has committed to establishing a $1bn fund to strengthen hydrogen supply chains. The fund was initially promised last year and is set to be operational by October managed by Japanese private equity firm Advantage Partners. The initiative and fund aim to accelerate the development and adoption of hydrogen technologies globally.
A key focus of the fund will be on projects within the 14 countries that have signed the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), launched by President Joe Biden. IPEF members include major economies like Japan, India, the US, Australia, Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The framework is designed to align these countries on trade, decarbonisation, supply chains, and tax policy. With clean energy initiatives being a priority, JH2A is expected to finance or co-finance cross-border hydrogen supply chain projects that support the framework’s objectives.
While details on how JH2A plans to raise the funds and the specifics of the investments remain undisclosed, the association is anticipated to make further announcements at the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, where a ministerial meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
JH2A has 453 members, including leading corporations like Toyota, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitsui, Iwatani, and Air Liquide and financial institutions such as Mitsubishi UFJ and energy giant Eneos. As part of a broader effort to expand hydrogen collaboration, JH2A has also recently signed cooperation agreements with the European trade group Hydrogen Europe and the hydrogen auction platform H2 Global. These partnerships align with Japan’s and India’s ongoing strategy to deepen hydrogen ties with the EU, aiming to harmonise regulatory approaches and promote global hydrogen trade.
The initiative reflects Japan’s and India’s commitment to playing a leading role in the global transition to a clean energy economy, particularly in hydrogen, as Tokyo and Brussels work closely on supply chain cooperation.
An announcement regarding a few specific projects and collaborations is anticipated at the upcoming IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, where more investment details will emerge. These collaborations and investments will likely target innovations in hydrogen production, decarbonisation, and supply chain efficiency.
