While nit-twit tweet Trump is bellowing about infrastructure with no plan, no bills, no timeline, Japan is building – not talking – as illustrated by 11 Japanese companies signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at the acceleration of the construction of hydrogen stations.
It’s classic pump priming – both senses – in the current early stage of fuel cell vehicle commercialization using an “all Japan” approach.
The latest high-technology move from Japan Inc comes from the Japanese government’s “Strategic Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells” that targets a total of 160 operational hydrogen stations and 40,000 in-use FCVs by fiscal 2020.
The 11 companies say they will consider establishing a new company within 2017 (April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018). The new company would aim to: 1) achieve steady construction of hydrogen stations by implementing measures to support hydrogen-station construction and operation, and 2) achieve wider use of FCVs and the independence of the hydrogen station business through activities for reducing costs, including governmental review of regulations, and activities for improving operational efficiencies, thus contributing to the realization of a hydrogen society in Japan.
The 11 companies claim, with likely good reasoning, that they will consider ways for broad participation by other companies in the future.
Japan Inc
- Toyota Motor Co
- Nissan Motor Co
- Honda Motor Co
- JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy
- Idemitsu Kosan Co
- Iwatani Co
- Tokyo Gas Co
- Toho Gas Co
- Air Liquide Japan
- Toyota Tsusho Co
- Development Bank of Japan
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
