With the world's environmental problems and continuing urbanization, energy is now, more than ever, an important concern for our social systems.
In regards to mobility, personal transportation can run on gasoline, diesel, liquefied natural gas, electricity, or hydrogen, and utilize the latest technologies to achieve a high level of eco-efficiency with low fuel consumption and decreased emissions.
In addition to other initiatives, Japan is focusing its attention on hydrogen, the most commonly found element on Earth, and trying to make the goal of a hydrogen-based society a reality. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics look set to become a big opportunity for the development of this plan.


In April, Prime Minister Abe took part in the opening ceremony of the Iwatani Hydrogen Station in Shiba Park. In his address, he stated that, "We have swiftly revised our regulations, and become the first country in the world to make the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel stations a reality. In less than a year, we have made plans for the outfitting of hydrogen stations in 76 locations, and started infrastructure development for hydrogen energy on an unprecedented scope and scale."


Furthermore, in a "Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) ", the Cabinet Office made clear their intentions for the development of advanced technologies in Japan. The goal of creating a hydrogen-based society was included, to attempt to "promote initiatives that aid in the realization of a hydrogen-based society through demonstration tests of hydrogen and other energy carriers at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics."
The program actively promotes the introduction of personal transportation that runs on alternative fuel sources in Tokyo, the host venue. Above all, the government is attempting to encourage both the outfitting of infrastructure for hydrogen fuel and the introduction of fuel cell vehicles.


Imagine marathon runners from all over the world running down the streets of Tokyo in 2020. A fleet of fuel cell vehicles made of guiding motorcycle police, referee vehicles, and television broadcasting vans providing support to the athletes while sprinkling cool water on the road. This dream may very well become a reality. Let's keep our hopes high and pay close attention to how things play out.


At the "Smart Mobility City 2015 (SMC)" exhibitions, the sponsored "Station Core" area and the "ICT&E Lab (Information and Communications Technology and Energy/Entertainment),"the relationship between vehicles and energy will be introduced along with initiatives for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Visitors can view displays on the latest energy initiatives that are set up by companies and other organizations that make use of hydrogen energy. Additionally, there will also be a conference themed "Cities, our lives and mobility" and a program on "hydrogen-based society and mobility."

* The article is written by Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc., based on the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet homepage.http://www.kantei.go.jp