Japan – Ministerial Approval Granted to Form Research Body HySE for Development of Hydrogen Small Mobility Engines to Help Build Decarbonized Society

May 19, 2023 | Business

Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. (hereinafter “Kawasaki Motors”), Suzuki Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Suzuki”) , Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Honda”) , and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Yamaha Motor”) jointly announced today that they have received approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to form a technological research association called HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology) for developing hydrogen-powered engines for small mobility.*

To realize a decarbonized society, a multi-pathway strategy to address various issues in the mobility sector is necessary, rather than focusing on a single energy source. Against this backdrop, research and development targeted at commercialization of mobility with engines powered by hydrogen – deemed a next-generation energy source – is gaining momentum.

However, the use of hydrogen poses technical challenges, including fast flame speed and a large region of ignition, which often result in unstable combustion, and the limited fuel tank capacity in case of use in small mobility vehicles. In addressing these issues, the members of HySE are committed to conducting fundamental research, capitalizing on their wealth of expertise and technologies in developing gasoline-powered engines, and aim to work together with the joint mission of establishing a design standard for small mobility’s hydrogen-powered engine, and of advancing the fundamental research endeavors in this area.

The members of HySE will continue to deepen their collaborative relations in order to provide a variety of small mobility options to users and meet their diverse needs, thereby contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society.

Kenji Komatsu, Chairman nominee of HySE and Executive Officer of Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., comments, “We are extremely pleased to announce the planned formation of the association. There are many challenges in the development of hydrogen-powered engines, but we hope to see the association’s activities advance the fundamental research in order to meet those challenges. We are committed to this endeavor with a sense of mission to preserve the use of internal combustion engines, which epitomize the long-time efforts that our predecessors have invested.”

Main research and development areas, and the role of each company:

1. Research on hydrogen-powered engines
Research on the model-based development of hydrogen-powered engines (Honda)
Element study on functionality, performance, and reliability of the hydrogen-powered engines (Suzuki)
Hands-on research using real hydrogen-powered engines on their functionality, performance, and reliability (Yamaha Motor, Kawasaki Motors)

2. Study on hydrogen refueling system
Studying the requirements for a hydrogen refueling system and hydrogen tanks for small mobility (Yamaha)

3. Study on fuel supply system
Studying the auxiliary equipment required for a fuel supply system and tanks, and the equipment installed between the fuel tank and the injector (Kawasaki Motors)

In addition to the full members (the four aforementioned motorcycle manufacturers), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (hereinafter “Kawasaki Heavy Industries”) and Toyota Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Toyota”) support the association as special members. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, being one of the main organizers of the “CO2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Research Association” (hereinafter “HySTRA”), will drive forward HySE’s activities, based on the knowledge gained from its activities for HySTRA. Toyota, on the other hand, will assume the role of leveraging HySE’s research results to the maximum benefit for the development of hydrogen-powered engines, utilizing its know-how on experiments, analyses, and the designing of large hydrogen-fueled power units for four-wheel vehicles.

Overview of HySE (Details, including members, are still in the planning stage)
Name: Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology (HySE)
Address: Yaesu Central Tower 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Kenji Komatsu（Executive Officer, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.）
Members: Regular Members:　Kawasaki Motors, Suzuki, Honda, and Yamaha Motor
Special Members: Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Toyota
Establishment: Establishment procedures in progress

*Small mobility: motorcycles, Japan-originated mini-vehicles, small marine vessels, construction equipment, drones, etc.

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Canada – Joint Ministerial Statement on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers

Feb 13, 2022 | International

Today, to mark the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement: “Children continue to be robbed of their most basic rights because of their recruitment and use in armed conflicts. Instead of living their childhood, these children are trained to fight, and armed with deadly weapons. They are made victims of child labour, are sexually exploited or forced into marriage. As a result, many of these children are killed or suffer from severe and lasting physical and emotional trauma.

February 12, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, to mark the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement:

“Children continue to be robbed of their most basic rights because of their recruitment and use in armed conflicts. Instead of living their childhood, these children are trained to fight, and armed with deadly weapons. They are made victims of child labour, are sexually exploited or forced into marriage. As a result, many of these children are killed or suffer from severe and lasting physical and emotional trauma.

“On this day, we reiterate Canada’s unwavering commitment to ending the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. Canada continues to support the UN Department of Peace Operations, which plays a crucial role in preventing violations of children’s rights, by providing $2.5 million in project funding for the integration of the Vancouver Principles in peacekeeping policy, guidance and training. We continue to promote the Vancouver Principles, launched in 2017, and call on more countries to join the 105 nations who have already endorsed them. Together, we are stronger. Together, thanks to the Vancouver Principles, we continue to equip peacekeepers with the training and tools they need to fight against this practice. To further these efforts, Canada has committed additional multi-year funding to support the international implementation of the Vancouver Principles.

“In 2019, the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security was established within the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) to enable implementation of the Vancouver Principles. In order to help put an end to this horrific practice, the Centre’s core mandate is to enhance the CAF’s capabilities, by providing strategic guidance and sponsoring doctrinal changes in support to peace and security-related training and education.

“All children deserve a safe and peaceful childhood regardless of where they live. Canada will always work with partners to put an end to violations of children’s rights.”

Canada – Minister Ng to attend OECD Ministerial Council and WTO Ministerial meetings in France 

Oct 6, 2021 | International

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, will deliver remarks at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting and at an Australia-hosted World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France on October 5 and 6, 2021. She also will convene a meeting of the Ottawa Group.

October 4, 2021 – The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, will deliver remarks at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting and at an Australia-hosted World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France on October 5 and 6, 2021. She also will convene a meeting of the Ottawa Group. 

While in Paris, Minister Ng will meet with a number of international counterparts, advancing discussions to secure a strong, sustainable and equitable global recovery, and to strengthen inclusive international trade.

Chris Zhou

Office of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

343-551-0457

chris.zhou@international.gc.ca