April 26, 2002
Japanese Government Declares Initiative to Introduce First Fuel-Cell Powered Vehicle on the Market
Yoshihide Munekuni, Chairman
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association has received today a request from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for efforts to accelerate the development of fuel-cell automobiles, in working to promote the early commercialization of such battery-powered vehicles. This follows up the announcement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that the Japanese government intends to take the initiative in actually introducing the first vehicles of this genre on the market.
Automobile manufacturers are currently mobilizing their resources in the quest for early commercialization of cars powered by fuel cells, with the declaration of government policy in that direction expected to further step up the development of these vehicles.
For its part, JAMA is looking forward to redoubled efforts on the government side to revise the regulations needed to promote the construction of fuel supply facilities and other infrastructure, development of pertinent technology and other efforts vital in reaching this goal. Another area in which government support will be critical is moves to further advance the introduction and use of the fuel-cell vehicles.
