Fukushima's Post-disaster Recovery: Reviewing Namie's Long-term Vision (Sequel)

In a significant visit on March 5, 2021, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, journeyed to Fukushima Prefecture. His mission: to explore the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) and further Toyota's commitment to helping create a new future for this region.

At FH2R, Toyota aims to establish power generators at roadside stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores in Fukushima towns, covering some electricity usage. The hydrogen produced in FH2R is generated from renewable energy, harnessed from sunlight.

During his tour, Akio Toyoda inspected the hydrogen manufacturing process, storage, and transportation bases in FH2R. He expressed his vision of a future where hydrogen-based delivery trucks and prefectural government vehicles are tested in Fukushima, paving the way for a hydrogen-based society.

Akio Toyoda sees the rebuilding of Namie, a town heavily affected by the 2011 disaster, as an opportunity to think about energy solutions and to bring back essential services like schools, supermarkets, and hospitals. He believes that by taking small, incremental steps, focusing on the process of making, transporting, and using hydrogen, a hydrogen-based society can be realized.

Toyota's involvement in Fukushima extends beyond hydrogen. Since the disaster, the company has been a key contributor, supporting reconstruction efforts by supplying vehicles and technologies to aid recovery and mobilization in the affected region. Toyota has also steadily improved employment and tax payments in the Tohoku region since the earthquake.

Akio Toyoda has been delivering the message that Tohoku's recovery will lead the future of Japan for 10 years. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between companies, local governments, and people to overcome challenges and achieve carbon neutrality. Toyota hopes to demonstrate success in Fukushima to encourage other prefectures and cities to join the movement towards a hydrogen-based society.

In addition to hydrogen projects, Toyota is already conducting robotics testing, including flying cars and drones, in Fukushima. Akio Toyoda looks forward to a future where the hydrogen society demonstration in Namie spreads to other cities, involving all the people, companies, and local governments that are taking part in this project.

Toyota's vision for Fukushima is a testament to the company's commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality. Akio Toyoda acknowledges that the Great East Japan Earthquake is still ongoing, but sees the 10-year mark as an opportunity to consciously move to the next phase in small increments. The future of Fukushima, and Japan, may very well be hydrogen-powered.