The 2025 Hydrogen Energy Conference for Action (HENCA) was held on October 21. It brought together key figures from cities worldwide, including Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, along with numerous private-sector executives.
The conference aims to promote the widespread adoption of green hydrogen produced with low carbon emissions. Participants reaffirmed the importance of implementing hydrogen in society and emphasized the need for concrete action.
Taking Action
Launched in 2023 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, HENCA seeks to accelerate the social implementation of hydrogen energy through collaboration with cities and companies around the world.
At the opening, Governor Koike stated: “With unprecedented heat and disasters striking one after another worldwide, the climate crisis is unlike anything we have ever faced before.” She continued, “Hydrogen stands out as one of the key solutions for ensuring energy security and achieving decarbonization.”
Emphasizing the need for action, she added, “Changing our behavior can give us the momentum needed to change the future.”
Economic Opportunities
Next, Dr Noé van Hulst, Vice Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), delivered a keynote titled “Moving Towards a Global Market for Clean Hydrogen.”
Dr van Hulst noted, “As much as hydrogen really started out as particularly for global decarbonization […] the driving forces have become much broader. It now also offers economic opportunities for certain countries. Certain countries that have a lot of potential to produce hydrogen can also build new export industries and new jobs.”
However, Dr van Hulst also acknowledged challenges. These include the high cost of producing hydrogen from renewable energy compared with fossil fuels. He mentioned policy uncertainties and infrastructure development, noting that some projects have been canceled.
Glass Half Full
At the same time, Dr van Hulst noted that the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects low-emission hydrogen production to quadruple by 2030, a growth pattern similar to that of solar power 15 years ago. He said this shows that “the glass is half full” for hydrogen, because although the sector is still developing, its value is steadily rising.
Currently, more than 60 countries have set hydrogen strategies. Dr van Hulst emphasized that international cooperation is crucial to preventing market fragmentation and creating demand in sectors like aviation and shipping to bridge cost gaps.
After commending Japan for showing global leadership in this area, he added, “But like what the [Tokyo] Metropolitan Government is doing, leadership at the regional level also matters a lot.”
‘Tokyo Hydrogen Vision‘
In a panel discussion, Governor Koike introduced the “Tokyo Hydrogen Vision,” a roadmap for green hydrogen utilization. She explained efforts around three keywords: produce, transport, and use. These include the operation of large-scale green hydrogen production facilities and plans to construct pipelines from Kawasaki to central Tokyo. As a first nationwide initiative, 600 hydrogen fuel-cell taxis are scheduled to be introduced by 2030.
Australia’s New South Wales was featured via video. As the only state in the country to have legislated hydrogen targets, it offers incentives worth $3 billion AUD (around $1.98 billion USD) and has created a favorable investment environment.
The City of Los Angeles shared plans to develop two green hydrogen storage facilities in salt caverns. Each, about the size of the Empire State Building, will help support a carbon-free power grid.
Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone highlighted efforts to decarbonize maritime transport through incentives. These measures promote cleaner fuel and bunkering for ships.
Asahi Kasei and Kawasaki Heavy Industries
From the Japanese private sector, Asahi Kasei and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) participated. Masami Takenaka, Lead Executive Officer at Asahi Kasei, spoke about a 10 MW hydrogen electrolysis project in Fukushima, one of the largest in the world. He expressed a desire to contribute to building a hydrogen supply chain through public-private collaboration.
Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board at Kawasaki Heavy Industries, explained that the company built the liquefied hydrogen carrier SUISO FRONTIER. The vessel successfully demonstrated the transport and handling of liquefied hydrogen between Australia and Japan.
He added that, as the next step toward commercial-scale operations, KHI is constructing ships capable of carrying 2,500 tons of liquefied hydrogen. The company is also building a 50,000 m³ storage tank in Kawasaki, near Tokyo.
Joint Statement
Participants concluded with a joint statement: “We, the participants on the front lines of energy transition, reaffirmed our commitment to leading the international community in realizing a sustainable society by steadily advancing public-private hydrogen projects and strengthening the social implementation of green hydrogen.”
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Author: Mika Sugiura
