The Japanese Model of Energy Transition (on the Example of the Introduction of Hydrogen Energy). High Hopes and Modest Prospects

Nowadays decarbonization goals are widely discussed at the global level. Hydrogen energy is considered to be a promising alternative for solving this problem, although the economic efficiency of this fuel is still extremely low. Japan is one of the countries that actively promotes hydrogen energy as the government puts the goal to take a huge share of the newly developed market. And Japan is ready to compete for that. The "Basic Energy Plan" adopted in April 2014, officially announced the government's intention to form a "hydrogen society" in Japan in order to ensure stable energy supply and the implementation of measures against global warming. In December 2020, a "Green Growth Strategy to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050" was prepared, which designated hydrogen as a priority industry for energy development.However, the policy is mainly aimed at developing a variety of projects. Many companies receive government support for the development and implementation of demonstration projects. It is too early to talk seriously about the commercialization of the achieved results. This article examines the characteristic features of the Japanese approach to the development of hydrogen energy, and also lists those factors that encourage the Japanese government to consider hydrogen fuel so seriously despite the incredibly high cost of its production. The authors will also try to answer the following questions. How much priority does hydrogen have for Japan in the structure of the country's energy balance? How does the Japanese government plan to develop hydrogen energy in the foreseeable future?

Japanese model of energy transition, hydrogen energy, decarbonization, renewable energy, global marine hydrogen supply network