Energy & Environmental Technology

Toyota announces mass production of water electrolysis systems by 2029, developed with Chiyoda Corporation. With 5MW domestic and 20MW international units, Toyota bets on hydrogen alongside EVs and hybrids. How Japan's multi-pathway strategy compares to the global EV-first approach.

Asahi Kasei has begun installing its Aqualyzer C3 containerized alkaline water electrolyzer in Jyväskylä, Finland — the country's first commercial hydrogen station. Backed by a Toyota-linked foundation, this marks a significant entry for Japanese electrolyzer technology into the Nordic green hydrogen market dominated by European giants like Siemens Energy and Nel ASA.

Japanese fusion startup Helical Fusion has announced that Phase 1 of its final demonstration device Helix HARUKA will be built at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS). With energization tests planned for 2027, the company is betting on Japan's unique helical approach to beat global rivals including Commonwealth Fusion Systems and TAE Technologies in the race to commercial fusion power.

Chiba Prefecture sits atop an estimated 500-year supply of iodine, the key material in Japan-invented perovskite solar cells. If combined, they could form a fully domestic energy cycle. We break down the potential and the hurdles standing in the way.

Panasonic's glass-type perovskite solar cells will be installed on the exterior of Hankyu Hanshin Properties' new headquarters—a first for new office buildings in Japan. This landmark step brings Japan-invented next-generation BIPV solar technology closer to mainstream adoption, in a building already certified ZEB Ready and DBJ Green Building 5-Star.

Japan officially targets fusion power demonstration in the 2030s as part of its national strategy. With a new Cabinet Office task force, 80+ companies in the J-Fusion consortium, and decades of ITER expertise, Japan is accelerating its bid to lead the global fusion race against the US, China, and UK.

A joint research team from the University of Yamanashi, Waseda University, and Shinshu University has developed a completely fluorine-free electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Achieving over 100,000 durability cycles—1.3 times that of conventional fluorine-based membranes—this PFAS-free breakthrough could accelerate the global hydrogen economy while addressing environmental regulations.

Japan's Sumitomo Corporation is pioneering a unique approach to nuclear fusion by partnering with three startups using different technologies—TAE Technologies, Tokamak Energy, and SHINE Technologies. Rather than waiting for fusion power plants, the trading giant is already monetizing derivative technologies in cancer treatment, battery storage, and industrial inspection, creating a new business model for the $23 billion fusion industry.

The explosive growth of AI data centers is triggering a global power crisis. Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are making unprecedented investments in nuclear restarts and direct utility partnerships. By 2026, data center power consumption could rival Japan's entire annual electricity use. Explore how AI is reshaping the world's energy landscape, including Japan's unique "Watt-Bit Integration" strategy.