Japan and South Korea currently import large quantities of LNG
The Japan-South Korea hydrogen sweepstakes
Both energy-poor countries are expected to be importing blue and green hydrogen in volume by 2028-30
Energy-poor and land-constrained Japan and South Korea are widely viewed as the greatest prizes in the low-carbon hydrogen export sweepstakes. Since 2017, they have both released roadmaps to develop hydrogen economies to counter domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and produce hydrogen-related technologies and equipment for export. Japan and South Korea are expected to be importing low-carbon hydrogen—the blue and green varieties—in volume by 2028 to 2030. To date, Japanese entities have signed a number of deals with foreign governments and companies to get the low-carbon hydrogen ball rolling, whereas the South Korean government appears to be taking a more systematic approach to sourcing
Also in this section
23 December 2025
Government backing and inflow of private capital point to breakthrough year for rising star of the country’s clean energy sector
19 December 2025
The hydrogen industry faces an important choice: coordinated co-evolution or patched-together piecemeal development. The way forward is integrated co-evolution, and freight corridors are a good example
10 December 2025
Project developer Meld Energy ready to accelerate 100MW project in Humber region after securing investment from energy transition arm of private equity firm Schroders Capital
9 December 2025
BP and Engie abandon large-scale green hydrogen projects in Gulf state as developers in all regions continue to struggle with lack of firm offtake
