Achieving a Hydrogen Society Through Diverse Uses – Expanded Article
In September 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government took a major step toward realizing a hydrogen-powered future, announcing a large-scale public-private initiative designed to accelerate the social implementation of hydrogen technologies across the city. The effort marks a significant moment not only for Tokyo but also for Japan as a whole, as the country aims to establish hydrogen as a mainstream, practical energy option that supports transportation, industry, and daily life. As part of this forward-looking program, the metropolitan government is collaborating with automakers, energy companies, and mobility operators to promote real-world usage and gather essential operational data.
One of the most visible milestones of this initiative is the introduction of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Crown taxis on Tokyo’s streets. These taxis represent the first phase of the project and symbolize a tangible shift from theory to practice in the push for hydrogen-based mobility. Although the Crown model is a full-size sedan—larger than the compact vehicles typically preferred for dense urban driving—initial user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite the challenge of maneuvering bigger vehicles through Tokyo’s famously narrow side streets and residential lanes, drivers have praised their performance, comfort, and refinement.
FCEVs are known for their quiet operation and smooth, responsive acceleration, qualities that taxi drivers experience firsthand during long shifts. Many have expressed admiration for the vehicle’s character and drivability, with comments such as, “They’re quite cool,” and “I’ve never driven a car this good before,” reflecting genuine surprise at the level of comfort and sophistication the hydrogen-powered Crown offers. These driver impressions carry particular weight, given that taxi operators depend on their vehicles for daily work and are therefore more sensitive to factors such as cabin noise, ride quality, and ergonomic design.
At the time the initial coverage was filmed, only three FCEV Crown taxis had been deployed across Tokyo. However, the plan is ambitious: a total of 200 hydrogen-powered taxis are scheduled to enter service by the end of fiscal year 2025. This expansion will provide many more passengers—both residents and visitors—with opportunities to ride in a hydrogen fuel cell taxi. Importantly, these FCEV taxis operate at the same base fare as conventional gasoline or hybrid taxis. With no premium cost for passengers, the initiative makes choosing a low-emission transportation option simple and accessible for the general public.
Beyond providing clean mobility for riders, the taxis serve an equally important function behind the scenes. Data collected from their daily operation—such as mileage, refueling frequency, hydrogen consumption, and route characteristics—will be used to analyze and model supply-demand dynamics for hydrogen infrastructure. This information is crucial for determining how many hydrogen stations are needed, where they should be located, and what levels of production and distribution will be required to sustain scaled-up hydrogen mobility in the future.
Toyota Motor Corporation President Koji Sato, who also serves as co-chair of the Japan Hydrogen Association, emphasized the broader significance of the project. He described the introduction of hydrogen taxis as “a tremendous first step with meaningful implications for large-scale social implementation.” His remarks capture the spirit of the initiative: the goal is not merely to test a handful of hydrogen-powered vehicles, but to gather the knowledge necessary to support nationwide adoption. Real-world usage helps policymakers, engineers, and industry partners refine their strategies for establishing a stable, efficient, and economically viable hydrogen ecosystem.
Hydrogen Innovation Expands to Fukushima Prefecture
While Tokyo demonstrates the use of hydrogen in public transportation, other parts of Japan are pursuing complementary innovations. One notable development is taking place in Fukushima Prefecture—a region that has become a symbol of Japan’s commitment to rebuilding with renewable and next-generation energy technologies.
In September, Netz Toyota Koriyama opened its Asaka dealership, the first automobile showroom in Japan to be fully designed for the practical use of hydrogen energy. The dealership represents a new model for how commercial facilities can integrate hydrogen into their everyday operations. At its core is a stationary fuel-cell generator that runs on hydrogen and provides a portion of the store’s electricity.
This stationary generator uses the same fuel cell system found in Toyota’s Mirai sedan, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of fuel cell technology. Moreover, the hydrogen storage tanks used at the dealership are repurposed from fuel cell trucks, reflecting Toyota’s broader philosophy of maximizing materials, reducing waste, and applying technical expertise gained through decades of automotive development.
In addition to hydrogen power, the Asaka dealership incorporates cutting-edge renewable energy technology through the installation of perovskite solar cells. Unlike conventional silicon-based panels, perovskite cells are lightweight, thin, and flexible. Their design allows them to be installed easily on a variety of surfaces—roofs, walls, fences, and even curved structures—making them ideal for commercial buildings that want to expand renewable energy capacity without major construction work. The dealership is testing two varieties, blue and black perovskite cells, to compare their efficiency under local environmental conditions and determine which type performs best in the region’s climate. This data will help inform future rollouts in other locations.
Together, the hydrogen fuel cell generator and perovskite solar panels allow the dealership to reduce carbon emissions, showcase next-generation technology to customers, and demonstrate how hydrogen can become a normal part of business operations. It is an early example of how hydrogen may be integrated not only into vehicles but also into buildings and local electricity systems.
Purposeful Passion: The Driving Force Behind Hydrogen Innovation
The ongoing efforts in Tokyo, Fukushima, and other regions underline a larger theme: achieving a hydrogen society will require continuous use, feedback, and improvement. Whether applied in busy urban taxis, rural dealerships, or experimental energy hubs, hydrogen must be used frequently and practically for challenges to emerge—and once identified, those challenges can be addressed through engineering refinement and policy support.
This philosophy echoes the message delivered by Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, also known by his racing pseudonym “Morizo.” After completing the Super Taikyu 24-Hour Race in a hydrogen-powered Corolla—a milestone representing years of research, testing, and motorsport-driven innovation—Toyoda remarked:
“I believe that it is through ‘purposeful passion and action’ that we will create a future of carbon neutrality.”
His words capture the mindset behind Japan’s hydrogen initiatives. The movement is not driven only by technological ambition but also by a sense of personal commitment shared among engineers, drivers, local governments, and business partners. The community working toward a hydrogen future continues to expand, forming what Toyoda calls a growing “circle of partners” dedicated to applying hydrogen in diverse settings.
As these projects grow and new applications emerge—from transportation and retail to power generation and industrial use—the momentum behind hydrogen as a mainstream energy source becomes increasingly strong. Japan’s strategy is clear: use hydrogen widely, learn from real-world challenges, refine solutions through collaboration, and gradually build a society where hydrogen is a natural part of everyday life.
Through coordinated effort, bold experimentation, and the passion of countless contributors, the vision of a hydrogen-powered society is steadily becoming reality.
Source link: https://toyotatimes.jp/
