The EU-Japan Centre is pleased to start a new weekly service by publishing brief summary of the latest information from the Japanese governmental organizations & private companies/organizations. A couple of minutes reading to be informed about what is happening in Japan's policy, economy, EU-Japan relations, and innovation.
*Information is deemed correct at the time of release.
EBARA develops world's first liquid hydrogen booster pump for hydrogen power generation
Ebara Corporation announced on February 24 that it has successfully developed the world's first liquid hydrogen booster pump for hydrogen power generation based on its strengths in high-pressure centrifugal pumps and cryogenic technology. A high-capacity, high-pressure pump for power generation that can handle liquid hydrogen at -253°C is technically difficult and currently does not exist on the market. The product is scheduled to enter the market in 2023.
When liquid hydrogen transported by sea from overseas is used for hydrogen power generation, it is stored in domestic storage tanks, then discharged from the tanks and supplied to hydrogen gas turbines. A booster pump is required at that process. In October 2022, the company used the same pump prototype to conduct a real liquid test with liquid hydrogen at the JAXA Noshiro rocket test site (Akita pref.), and obtained good test results that contributed to the design of a large flow booster pump.
Ebara corporation website:
https://www.ebara.co.jp/en/corporate/newsroom/release/company/detail/1208853_10220.html
Number of births in 2022 falls below 800,000 for the first time
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced on February 28 that the number of births in 2022 (preliminary figure) was 799,728, down 5.1% from the previous year. This is the first time since 1899, when comparable figures are available, that the number has fallen below 800,000. It is 11 years earlier than national estimates.
The number of births hit a record low for the seventh year in a row. The number of births in 2022 is 100,000 fewer than the 899,000 in 2019. Compared to 2.696 million in 1949, when the number of births was the highest, the number in 2022 was less than 30%. The main reason for the rapid decline in births is the decline in marriages due to the pandemic. The number of marriages, which exceeded 600,000 in 2019, fell to 537,000 in 2020, 514,000 in 2021, and remained at 519,823 in 2022. In Japan, the number of marriages tends to be directly linked to the number of subsequent births, and the impact was strong. The economic turmoil under the COVID has also become a factor in hesitation to get pregnant and give birth.
Population movements affect the growth potential of the Japanese economy and the sustainability of social security. According to the latest estimates released in 2017 by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, the number of births would fall below 800,000 in 2033 under the medium-fertility scenario, which is the basic scenario. In fact, it was 11 years ahead of schedule.
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website In Japanese):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/jinkou/geppo/s2022/dl/202212.pdf
METI invests in overseas geothermal power generation
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will start investing in overseas geothermal power generation projects from FY2023. In Japan, most of the suitable land is within national and quasi-national parks, and development is not progressing. It will try to accumulate technology and know-how through international cooperation.
Funds will be provided to exploratory drilling companies participating in overseas exploration projects through the Japan Energy and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), an independent administrative agency. Potential candidates include Indonesia and New Zealand, where INPEX is considering expansion of existing geothermal power plants and new geological surveys.
Geothermal is a type of renewable energy. Unlike solar power and wind power, it can stably generate power without being affected by the weather. According to METI, Japan's related resources amount to 23 million kilowatts, equivalent to 23 nuclear power plants, the third largest in the world after the United States and Indonesia. However, at present, it is not fully utilized, and its power generation capacity is only 600,000 kilowatts, ranking 10th in the world. It accounts for only 0.3% of the total power generation in the country.
In the future, there are technical and regulatory issues to promote domestic spread. Regarding regulations, in 2021, the Ministry of the Environment deleted a notice stating that geothermal development in some areas of national and quasi-national parks would not be permitted in principle.
METI website (in Japanese)
https://www.meti.go.jp/main/yosangaisan/fy2023/pr/en/enecho_taka_02.pdf
Nissan accelerates electrification strategy launching 19 EV models by 2030
Nissan Motor announced on February 27 that it will accelerate its vehicle electrification strategy. The number of electrified vehicle models to be launched by 2030, as set forth in the long-term vision "Nissan Ambition 2030," will be increased from 23 models, including 15 EV models to 27 models, including 19 EV models. As a result, the global model mix of electrified vehicles in FY2030 is expected to increase from the previous forecast of 50% to more than 55%.
In addition, the sales ratio of electrified vehicles in major markets in FY2026 is expected to increase from 75% to 98% in Europe and from 55% to 58% in Japan compared to November 2021. On the other hand, in China, it will decrease from 40% to 35%, and in the United States, EV alone will remain above 40% by FY2030. As a result, the global electrified vehicle sales ratio in 2026 will increase from the previous forecast of 40% to more than 44%. A dedicated EV for the Chinese market is scheduled to be launched in 2024. In Europe, it will continue to implement our solid electrification plan and promote a stronger cooperative relationship with the alliance.
In February, Nissan announced that it will strengthen cooperation with the Renault Group of France and Mitsubishi Motors to accelerate the introduction of EVs in South America, Europe and India. As part of this effort, the Renault group will launch its first software-defined model in 2026 and supply it to Nissan in the European market. The alliance of the three companies will also promote collaboration in existing technology fields such as all-solid-state batteries, software-defined vehicles, ADAS and autonomous driving.
Nissan motor website:
https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/release-9892068d60092fbe00826bd9202ae967-nissan-further-accelerates-electrification-strategy
Rapidus invests JP\ 5 trillion in semiconductor factory in Chitose, Hokkaido
Rapidus, which aims to produce state-of-the-art semiconductors domestically, announced on February 28 that it will build its first factory in Chitose City, Hokkaido. In the late 2020s, the company will begin mass production of semiconductors called "2 nano," which are used in supercomputers and other devices. The decisive factor in choosing Hokkaido, while several local governments are working to attract it, is its abundance of water resources, geographical advantage and renewable energy.
As the domestic production of state-of-the-art semiconductors, which are expected to be the "brain" of supercomputers and artificial intelligence (AI), several local governments are competing to attract the base of Rapidus. The amount of investment necessary for the company from research and development to mass production is expected to be around JP￥ 5 trillion.
Hokkaido, which can secure a large area of land, is also considered promising for renewable energy. However, unlike Kumamoto Prefecture (in Kyushu), which has historically concentrated semiconductor-related companies and succeeded in attracting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest semiconductor contract manufacturing company, the supply of manufacturing equipment and material industries is different. The supply chain is now in the stage of preparation.
Rupidus website (in Japanese):
https://www.rapidus.inc/news_topics/news-info/rapidus-selects-chitose-city-in-hokkaido-for-its-new-state-of-the-art-semiconductor-plant-2/
International standard originating in Japan issued for control system to avoid car driving collision
In order to avoid collisions in emergency situations, vehicles equipped with a system that automatically steers or assists the driver in steering (collision avoidance lateral control system) are beginning to be introduced to the market. on this system, an international standard from Japan was issued. This control system, together with the collision mitigation braking system that has already been introduced, is also a very important technology that will serve as a foundation for the advancement of autonomous driving.
This standard was proposed by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, a public interest incorporated association, with the aim of disseminating highly safe collision avoidance lateral control systems based on internationally unified functional requirements and performance evaluation methods. After discussing at ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / TC204 (ITS intelligent transportation system) / WG14 (driving control) where Japan serves as the international chair and it was published as an international standard on February 23, 2023.
The collision avoidance lateral direction control system is designed to 1) automatically avoid steering wheel operation in situations where there is a risk of collision, 2) when the driver becomes aware of the danger of a collision with an alarm and operates the steering wheel, the system then steers the vehicle.
The international standard ISO 23375 issued this time can be supported by either system.
METI website (in Japanese):
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2022/03/20230301002/20230301002.html
Tokyo Metropolitan Government decides on 5 startup support companies in the green field
On February 28, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that it has selected five companies that will be eligible for the "Green Startup Support" project, which intensively supports startups in green fields, etc., which are expected to grow rapidly in the future, and boosts their growth. In the future, the selected companies will be supported by various members such as venture capitalists, institutional investors, and senior startups, with a view to expanding domestically and internationally.
The company names and business outlines of the five companies selected this time are as follows.
・Aeterlink: Development, manufacture and sale of microwave wireless power
transfer (WPT: Wireless Power Transfer) equipment
・SENSYN ROBOTICS: Providing business solutions utilizing industrial drones,
cameras, smart devices, etc.
・Tsubame BHB: R&D, sales, etc. of on-site ammonia supply system
・PJP Eye: Development of batteries using plant-derived carbon, etc.
・Helical Fusion: Design of nuclear fusion reactors, development and provision
of elemental technologies, etc.
Aiming to make Tokyo the world's number one start-up city where new industries are born one after another, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has established the "Startup Ecosystem Tokyo Consortium" in 2020 consisting of companies, economic organizations, universities, research institutes, venture capital, local governments, etc.
Tokyo Met. government website (in Japanese):
https://www.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/tosei/hodohappyo/press/2023/02/28/03.html
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