Tomoe Shokai Revolutionizes Green Hydrogen Distribution in Tokyo with Industry-First 45MPa High-Pressure Transport

Tokyo, Japan – June 16, 2025 – Tomoe Shokai Co., Ltd. has launched a groundbreaking demonstration project aimed at establishing a new logistics framework for large-scale green hydrogen distribution. This initiative, a collaboration under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Technology Development Support for New Energy Promotion” program for the fiscal year 2024, marks a significant step towards a decarbonized society. As the industry’s first to implement 45MPa high-pressure hydrogen transport, Tomoe Shokai is set to dramatically expand green hydrogen supply and solidify its distribution infrastructure, ultimately boosting hydrogen utilization across Tokyo.

A Strategic Partnership for Tokyo’s Decarbonization Goals

The “Demonstration Project for New High-Pressure Hydrogen Gas Distribution Form and Utilization Expansion for Hydrogen Energy Transition” sees Tomoe Shokai partnering with Suntory Holdings Limited (the lead project operator), Samtec Co., Ltd., and Nippon Trex Co., Ltd.. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is actively promoting the expansion of hydrogen energy demand and its early social implementation to ensure a stable energy supply and advance decarbonization efforts. By 2050, Tokyo aims for green hydrogen to be a cornerstone of its decarbonized society.

Green hydrogen, defined as hydrogen produced by water electrolysis using electricity generated from renewable energy, is central to these ambitions. Tomoe Shokai has already forged an alliance with Yamanashi Hydrogen Company (YHC), which operates Japan’s first Power-to-Gas (P2G) business, and is actively building a green hydrogen supply chain rooted in Yamanashi and Fukushima Prefectures. This project will specifically focus on a model where green hydrogen produced outside Tokyo, in prefectures like Yamanashi and Fukushima, is consumed within the metropolis, significantly scaling up the supply.

Innovating Logistics: Efficiency and Scale in Hydrogen Delivery

To facilitate large-scale green hydrogen distribution, several innovative approaches are being implemented:

• Industry-First 45MPa High-Pressure Transport: This advanced method enables the efficient, large-volume delivery of hydrogen, leveraging lightweight cradles capable of transporting 150kg of hydrogen at once.
• New Logistics System: The project involves the construction of a novel logistics system that integrates relay warehouses and allows for the detachment of transport containers from vehicles. This approach aims to standardize chassis, improve truck utilization rates, and address driver shortages, thereby enhancing overall logistics efficiency.
• Future Mixed Transport: Looking ahead, the project also envisions the possibility of mixed transport with beverage cargo trucks, further optimizing delivery routes and resource utilization.

Building a Comprehensive Green Hydrogen Ecosystem

Beyond transport, the initiative involves broader ecosystem development. Tomoe Shokai, in collaboration with Himeji Rika, Yamanashi Prefecture, and YHC, is conducting a demonstration of large-capacity PEM-type P2G hydrogen supply and utilization in Fukushima Prefecture. Furthermore, the project will integrate with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s green hydrogen exchange to contribute to increased transaction volumes by facilitating real-time matching of supply and demand.

Tomoe Shokai is also active in other related initiatives, including the establishment and operation of Tokyo’s first green hydrogen station in Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, a project announced in January 2025.

Looking Ahead: Suntory’s Vision and Future Expansion

Suntory Holdings Limited recently announced its “Suntory Green Hydrogen Vision,” with plans to initiate domestic green hydrogen manufacturing to sales operations starting in 2027. This demonstrates a shared commitment among all partners to accelerate the transition to a hydrogen-based energy economy. This concerted effort by Tomoe Shokai and its partners marks a pivotal moment in establishing a robust and efficient green hydrogen supply chain, paving the way for Tokyo’s sustainable energy future.