Progress Update: Proposed Strategies for Namie's Rebuilding in the Aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi Accident (Continuation)

In a visit to Fukushima Prefecture on March 5, 2021, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, reiterated his commitment to a carbon-neutral world and highlighted the potential of Fukushima as a testbed for hydrogen-based technologies.

Toyota's plans for Fukushima are ambitious. The company aims to implement hydrogen-based delivery trucks and prefectural government vehicles, as well as set up power generators at roadside stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores to cover some of the electricity used there.

Achieving a carbon-neutral world in 30 years requires everyone's awareness and collective action, according to Toyoda. He believes that defining a basic unit for hydrogen production and usage is crucial, with a city with a population of 300,000 serving as an example.

The rebuilding of Namie, a town that was largely evacuated due to the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident that occurred 10 years ago, presents an opportunity to think about what to do about energy, which is the most important platform, Toyoda said.

Toyota has been delivering the message, "Tohoku's recovery will lead the future of Japan" for 10 years. The company has steadily improved employment and tax payments in the Tohoku region through implementing long-term sustainable business plans.

In addition to transportation, Toyota is also conducting robotics testing in Fukushima, including flying cars and drones. The company sees the process of making, transporting, and using hydrogen as necessary to realize a hydrogen-based society.

Toyota has contributed to Fukushima by helping to develop and promote hydrogen technology. The Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R), a proving test facility with the world's largest hydrogen production capacity, produces hydrogen from renewable energy generated by sunlight.

The challenge for the future is to figure out how to transport and use the hydrogen that have been produced at FH2R. Toyota aims to create a place for hydrogen energy demonstration experiments, such as by installing a power supply vehicle as standard equipment to ensure power supply even in emergencies.

Shigeki Terashi, an Executive Fellow, explained the difficulties in achieving carbon neutrality and the challenges still to overcome. However, Toyoda is optimistic. He believes that if they can demonstrate success in Fukushima, other prefectures and cities will join the movement towards a hydrogen-based society.

Evacuation orders were finally lifted in parts of the town four years ago, and as a fresh start for the future, the town is reimagining itself with hydrogen as a new energy source. Akio Toyoda sees a close link between Woven City and Namie, with both cities working together to pave the way to the future with energy.