Memo
The Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) co-hosted a webinar titled “Governance for Sustainable Hydrogen Ramp-Up: Insights from the Asia-Pacific” with the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at Helmholtz Center Potsdam (GFZ). This webinar was based on the findings report compiled by the project “Hydrogen Governance in the Asia-Pacific,” which originated from the research group “Building Climate Change Governance through Multistakeholder Cooperation” The details are as follows:
1. Date and Time: Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 16:00–17:30 (JST), 9:00–10:30 (CET)
2. Format: Online via ZOOM Webinar
3. Participants: 35 attendees
4. Program
Opening Remarks: Rainer Quitzow
Presentation of the Country Specific Content:
[Japan] Kentaro Tamura Director of Climate Change and Energy Program at Institute
for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Tomohiko Adachi Counsel at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
[South Korea] Youhyun Lee Associate Professor of Asia University
[India] Rajesh Sharma Associate Professor of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University)
Comparative Analysis and Summary of Japan, India, and South Korea:
Wakako Ito Executive Director and Director of Research at Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR)
Comment: Zheng Fangting Researcher at Asian Economic Research Institute,
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Heino von Meyer Strategic Advisor at International Power-to-X (PtX) Hub
（Sustainability and International Networks)
Discussion: All Participants
5. Discussion Summary
Based on the report “Hydrogen Governance and Sustainability in the Asia-Pacific: Approaches in Japan, South Korea, and India,” reports were presented on how each country is incorporating sustainability into national strategies, certification systems, and funding support mechanisms to build a sustainable hydrogen economy. Mr. Kentaro Tamura and Mr. Tomohiko Adachi reported on Japan, Associate Professor Lee on Korea, and Associate Professor Sharma on India. Following this, Director of Research Wakako Ito, the project coordinator for this initiative, presented a comparative analysis and summary of the three countries. Subsequently, comments were provided from an Asian perspective by Researcher Fangting Zheng and from a European perspective by Mr. Heino von Meyer. Finally, a discussion was held with all participants.
The full report (in English) can be viewed by clicking the link or image below.
