China powers forward in hydrogen patents, outcompeting Japan

Investment spikes after Beijing labeled hydrogen a key energy source

20250501N Hydrogen

Many Chinese companies are entering the green hydrogen field, leading to massive numbers of patent applications. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

KOKI IZUMI

TOKYO -- China has surpassed Japan to become the most competitive country when it comes to hydrogen-related patents, a new study has found, bolstering its position as a leader in carbon-free energy combined with its edge in solar and wind.

Tokyo-based research company Astamuse, in which Nikkei has a stake, looked at roughly 180,000 hydrogen-related patents filed between 2013 and 2022 in five fields: production, storage, shipment and supply, safety management, and usage. They were scored for competitiveness based on feasibility, remaining duration of legal protection, and other factors.

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