Skip to main content
Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Mapping Japan’s innovation activity in hydrogen technologies: An approach based on patent network analysis Cover

Mapping Japan’s innovation activity in hydrogen technologies: An approach based on patent network analysis

Open Access
|Jul 2026

References

  1. AHEAD. (2017). The world’s first global hydrogen supply chain demonstration project. Available at https://www.ahead.or.jp/en/ [Accessed 23 April 2025].
  2. Atomica. (2005). Munraito keikaku. [Moonlight Plan], Available at https://atomica.jaea.go.jp/data/detail/dat_detail_01-05-02-06.html [Accessed 23 April 2025].
  3. Bastian, M., Heymann, S., & Jacomy, M. (2009). Gephi: An open source software for exploring and manipulating networks. Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media 3 (pp. 361–362).
  4. Baumann, M, Dominik, T., Haase, M., Wulf, C., Emmerich, P., Rosch, C., Zapp, P., Naegler, T., & Weil, M. (2021). Comparative patent analysis for the identification of global research trends for the case of battery storage, hydrogen and bioenergy. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 165, 120505.
  5. Behling, N., Williams, M. C., & Managi, S. (2015). Fuel cells and the hydrogen revolution: Analysis of a strategic plan in Japan. Economic Analysis and Policy, 48, 204–221.
  6. Boyack, K. W., & Klavans, R. (2008). Measuring science–technology interaction using rare inventor–author names. Journal of Informetrics, 2, 173–182.
  7. Chanchetti, L. F., Oviedo Diaz, S. M., Milanez, D. H., Leiva, D. R., de Faria, L. I. L., & Ishikawa, T. T. (2016). Technological forecasting of hydrogen storage materials using patent indicators. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 41, 18301–18310.
  8. Chiba, M., Arai, H., & Fukuda, K. (1998). WE-NET: Japanese hydrogen program. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 23, 159–165.
  9. Dzienis, A. M. (2022). Japan–EU cooperation in the development of hydrogen-based economy. Studia Sieci Uniwersytetów Pogranicza, 6, 33–44.
  10. Edler, J., Blind, K., Kroll, H., & Schubert, T. (2023). Technology sovereignty as an emerging frame for innovation policy. Defining rationales, ends and means. Research Policy, 52, 104765.
  11. Eicke, L., & De Blasio, N. (2022). The future of green hydrogen value chains: Geopolitical and market implications in the industrial sector. Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School.
  12. Engelsman, E. C., & Van Raan, A. F. J. (1994). A patent-based cartography of technology. Research Policy, 23, 1–26.
  13. Eurostat. (2026). R&D expenditure. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php? title = R%26D_expenditure [Accessed 11 June 2026].
  14. Filippin, F. (2021). Do main paths reflect technological trajectories? Applying main path analysis to the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Scientometrics, 126, 6443–6477.
  15. Fortune Business Insights. (2026). Japan hydrogen market size & future outlook. Available at https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/japan-hydrogen-market-114848 [Accessed 29 May 2026].
  16. Furnaro, A., & Trencher, G. (2026). Acknowledging while doubling down: Japan’s responses to uncertainty in the hydrogen sector. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 227, 124654.
  17. Gwak, J. H., & Sohn, S. Y. (2018). A novel approach to explore patent development paths for subfield technologies. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 69, 410–419.
  18. HESC. (2026). FAQs. Available at https://www.hydrogenenergysupplychain.com/resources/faqs/ [Accessed 3 June 2026].
  19. Hikima, K., Tsujimoto, M., Takeuchi, M., & Kajikawa, Y. (2020). Transition analysis of budgetary allocation for projects on hydrogen-related technologies in Japan. Sustainability, 12, 8546.
  20. Hu, R., & Xu, W. (2022). Exploring the technological changes of green agriculture in China: Evidence from patent data (1998–2021). Sustainability, 14, 10899.
  21. HySTRA Hydrogen supply chain. Available at https://www.hystra.or.jp/en/project/ [Accessed 15 April 2025].
  22. IEA. (2021a). Global hydrogen review 2021. Available at https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2021 [Accessed 19 April 2025].
  23. IEA. (2021b). Japan 2021 – Energy policy review. Available at https://www.iea.org/reports/japan-2021 [Accessed 19 April 2025].
  24. IEA. (2023). Hydrogen patents for a clean energy future. A global trend analysis of innovation along hydrogen value chains. Available at https://www.iea.org/reports/hydrogen-patents-for-a-clean-energy-future [Accessed 3 June 2026].
  25. IEA. (2024). Japan – Energy supply. Available at https://www.iea.org/countries/japan/energy-mix [Accessed 19 May 2025].
  26. IEA. (2025). Global hydrogen review, Available at https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2025 [Accessed 3 June 2026].
  27. Iida, S., & Sakata, K. (2019). Hydrogen technologies and developments in Japan. Clean Energy, 3, 105–113.
  28. Jeje, S. O., Marazani, T., Obiko, J. O., & Shongwe, M. B. (2024). Advancing the hydrogen production economy: A comprehensive review of technologies, sustainability, and future prospects. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 78, 642–661.
  29. Johnson, C. (1982). MITI and the Japanese miracle. The growth of industrial Policy, 1925–1975. Stanford University Press.
  30. Johnston, B., Mayo, M. C., & Khare, A. (2005). Hydrogen: The energy source for the 21st century. Technovation, 25, 569–585.
  31. Kucharski, J. B., & Unesaki, H. (2018). An institutional analysis of the Japanese energy transition. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 29, 126–143.
  32. Kwon, S., & Motohashi, K. (2017). How institutional arrangements in the National Innovation System affect industrial competitiveness: A study of Japan and the U.S. with multiagent simulation. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 115, 221–235.
  33. Lee, B. K., & Sohn, S. Y. (2017). Exploring the effect of dual use on the value of military technology patents based on the renewal decision. Scientometrics, 112, 1203–1227.
  34. Lee, M. (2020). An analysis of the effects of artificial intelligence on electric vehicle technology innovation using patent data. World Patent Information, 63, 02002.
  35. Luo, Y., & Van Assche, A. (2023). The rise of techno-geopolitical uncertainty: Implications of the United States CHIPS and Science Act. Journal of International Business Studies, 54, 1423–1440.
  36. Matsuno, T. (2025). Japan’s hydrogen gamble: What the world can learn from this high-stakes energy bet. World Economic Forum. Available at https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/japan-hydrogen-energy/ [Accessed 6 June 2026].
  37. METI. (2023). Basic hydrogen strategy. The Ministerial Council on Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Related Issues. Available at https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/enecho/shoene_shinene/suiso_seisaku/pdf/20230606_5.pdf [Accessed 6 June 2026].
  38. Mueller, S. C., Sandner, P. G., & Welpe, I. M. (2015). Monitoring innovation in electrochemical energy storage technologies: A patent-based approach. Applied Energy, 137, 537–544.
  39. Noguchi, K. (2021). Toyota chief personally invests $45m in self-driving smart city. Nikkei Asia, 26 June. Available at https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/toyota-chief-personally-invests-45m-in-self-driving-smart-city [Accessed 29 May 2026].
  40. Odawara, H., Hirata, K., & Sato, T. (2024). Japan’s spending plans for climate and energy. Climate Integrate.
  41. OECD. (2024). Case study – Japanese government subsidy scheme. Government of Japan. Available at https://share.google/vm1y9yNAoTE62TWDD [Accessed 6 June 2026].
  42. Ohno, T., Nishida, Y., Ishihara, T., & Hirose, A. (2022). Nihon no suiso senryaku no saikento. “Suiso shakai” no genso o koete. [Reconsidering Japan’s hydrogen strategy: Beyond the vision of a hydrogen society]. Renewable Energy Institute. Available at https://www.renewable-ei.org/activities/reports/20220909.php [Accessed 4 June 2026].
  43. Ohta, T., & Abe, I. (1985). Hydrogen energy research and developments in Japan. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 10, 275–279.
  44. Okimoto, D. I. (1989). Between MITI and the market. Japanese industrial policy for high technology. Stanford University Press, Stanford.
  45. Okinaga, S., Tanaka, K., & Miyake, I. (2026). Toyota, Honda face fuel cell car slump as hydrogen stations retreat. Nikkei Asia, 18 February. Available at https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/toyota-honda-face-fuel-cell-car-slump-as-hydrogen-stations-retreat [Accessed 6 June 2026].
  46. Okutsu, A., & Shibata, N. (2020). Be water: Japan’s big, lonely bet on hydrogen. Nikkei Asia, 23 December. Available at https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/the-big-story/be-water-japan-s-big-lonely-bet-on-hydrogen [Accessed 29 May 2026].
  47. PwC webpage. The green hydrogen economy. Predicting the decarbonisation agenda of tomorrow. Available at https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/energy-utilities-resources/green-hydrogen-cost.html [Accessed 29 May 2026].
  48. Saito, S. (2022). Nichigo kan de ekitai suiso o yuso: Kattan riyo ni kosuto to CO2 furi no takai kabe. [Transporting liquid hydrogen between Japan and Australia: COST and CO2-free challenges in lignite utilization]. Nikkei xTECH, 3 February. Available at https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/column/18/01936/00005/ [Accessed 2 June 2026].
  49. Takahashi, H. (2020). “Suiso enerugi ririku setsu” wa honmono ka. Suiso kaigiha no nezuyoi gimon ni kotaeru. [Is the hydrogen energy takeoff theory real? Answering lingering questions from hydrogen skeptics], Nikkei xTECH, 27 April. Available at https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/column/18/00001/03946/ [Accessed 2 June 2026]
  50. Tang, Y., Lou, X., Chen, Z., & Zhang, C. (2020). A study on dynamic patterns of technology convergence with IPC co-occurrence-based analysis: The case of 3D printing. Sustainability, 12, 2655.
  51. Tomeczek, A. F. (2025). Innovative activities of Activision Blizzard: A patent network analysis. Entertainment Computing, 55, 101037.
  52. Toyota. (2018). Japan H2 Mobility, LLC established by eleven companies to accelerate deployment of hydrogen stations in Japan. Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
  53. Toyota. (2020). Launch of the Japan Hydrogen Association towards the realization of a hydrogen society. Toyota Motor Corporation.
  54. Van de Graaf, T., Overland, I., Scholten, D., & Westphal, K. (2020). The new oil? The geopolitics and international governance of hydrogen. Energy Research & Social Science, 70, 101667.
  55. van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84, 523–538.
  56. WIPO. (2009). Patent-based technology analysis report – alternative energy technology. World Intellectual Property Organization.
  57. WIPO. (2023). Guide to the International Patent Classification. Available at https://doi.org/10.34667/TIND.48084 [Accessed 9 January 2024].
  58. WIPO. (2024a). International Patent Classification (IPC). Available at https://www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/ [Accessed 9 January 2024].
  59. WIPO. (2024b). PATENTSCOPE database, Available at https://patentscope.wipo.int/ [Accessed 9 January 2024].
  60. Zhang, M., & Yang, X. (2022). The regulatory perspectives to china’s emerging hydrogen economy: Characteristics, challenges, and solutions. Sustainability, 14, 9700.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijme-2026-0007 | Journal eISSN: 2543-5361 (formerly 2299-9701) | Journal ISSN: 2299-9701
Language: English
Page range: 62 - 74
Submitted on: Jul 1, 2026
Accepted on: Jul 6, 2026
Published on: Jul 24, 2026
Published by: SGH Warsaw School of Economics
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
JEL:

© 2026 Anna Maria Dzienis, Artur F. Tomeczek, published by SGH Warsaw School of Economics
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.