A consortium of Japanese and international companies has launched the Japan–New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor initiative to study production of green hydrogen in New Zealand and exports to Japan as part of a future supply chain.
(P&GJ) — A consortium of Japanese companies has launched a new initiative to study the development of a hydrogen supply chain linking New Zealand’s renewable energy resources with future demand in Japan.
Obayashi Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Chiyoda Corporation announced the creation of the Japan–New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor, which will examine the commercialization of green hydrogen production in New Zealand and its export to Japan.
The initiative will begin studies in fiscal year 2026 aimed at establishing a hydrogen production and export system that could ship hydrogen from New Zealand to Japan, with commercial imports and exports targeted for the early 2030s.
The companies said hydrogen is expected to play a growing role as a low-emissions energy source for sectors including mobility, power generation and hard-to-decarbonize industries such as steel and chemicals.
“Hydrogen is expected to play a key role as a clean energy source that does not emit CO2 when burned,” the companies said.
Japan’s limited domestic energy resources are also driving interest in overseas hydrogen supply chains.
Japan has a low energy self-sufficiency rate and limited renewable energy capacity, which the consortium said could make meeting future hydrogen demand through domestic production alone difficult.
New Zealand’s geothermal and hydropower resources make it a potential production hub for green hydrogen in the Asia-Pacific region.
The hydrogen corridor initiative will explore ways to build a supply chain that enables hydrogen production in New Zealand and export shipments to Japan, potentially creating a new energy trade route between the two countries.
If successful, the effort could position New Zealand as a major supplier of green hydrogen to Japan while supporting both countries’ long-term decarbonization goals.
