Accelerating Zero Carbon Initiatives

The East Japan Railway Company (JR East Group) is advancing its initiatives to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions by the fiscal year 2050, as part of its corporate vision 'Yushou 2034' aimed at realizing a sustainable and affluent global environment.

As part of these efforts, JR East will commence commercial operations of Japan's first hydrogen hybrid train, 'HYBARI,' by the end of fiscal year 2027. Additionally, the company will start developing next-generation hydrogen hybrid trains and participate in the '1% Hydrogen Procurement Declaration' at the Kawasaki Power Station.

In the future, JR East aims to achieve LX (Lifestyle Transformation) through the realization of a hydrogen society, further promoting environmental impact reduction.

1. LX Initiatives Utilizing Hydrogen

JR East Group is steadily advancing towards its goal of net-zero CO₂ emissions by fiscal year 2050, as outlined in 'Yushou 2034.' The company is promoting the utilization of hydrogen as an energy source for carbon neutrality across various sectors, including mobility (railways), power generation, and urban development.

(1) Mobility (Railways)

1. Commercial Operation of Hydrogen Hybrid Train 'HYBARI'

JR East has been conducting demonstration tests of the hydrogen hybrid train 'HYBARI' since March 2022, aiming to achieve a decarbonized society. 'HYBARI' is a hybrid train equipped with a fuel cell system and a battery that uses hydrogen as fuel. The hydrogen onboard 'HYBARI' is supplied to the fuel cell, which generates electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air, without emitting CO₂, a cause of global warming. Through previous demonstration tests, the vehicle performance and system stability of 'HYBARI' as a railway vehicle have been verified.

This time, the test vehicle 'HYBARI' will be modified as Japan's first commercial vehicle utilizing hydrogen and will commence commercial operations on the Tsurumi Line and the Nambu Line (Eshima-Hamakawasaki section) by the end of fiscal year 2027. Hydrogen refueling for 'HYBARI' will be conducted at the Kamakura Vehicle Base (Nakahara) using high-pressure hydrogen of 35MPa, with a range of approximately 70km per refueling. Details of the commercial operation of 'HYBARI' will be announced separately in the future.

Hydrogen Hybrid Train 'HYBARI' Operation Area

Mechanism of Hydrogen Hybrid Train 'HYBARI'

2. Development of Next-Generation Hydrogen Hybrid Trains

Based on the insights gained from the hydrogen hybrid train 'HYBARI,' JR East will commence the development of next-generation hydrogen hybrid trains. By using high-pressure hydrogen of 70MPa, the first in the world, the company aims to secure a range equivalent to that of diesel vehicles and study running performance that can cope with continuous gradient sections. By achieving both, JR East aims to realize railway vehicles that can operate over a wide range of sections and target commercial operations by the end of fiscal year 2030. For the introduction of next-generation hydrogen hybrid trains, the company will prepare facilities that can refuel high-pressure hydrogen in a shorter time. In the future, JR East will consider the utilization of hydrogen manufactured overseas and imported to Japan, as well as hydrogen manufactured in regions rich in renewable energy in Japan. The company will also consider overseas expansion as a solution to environmental problems around the world.

Through the social implementation of next-generation hydrogen hybrid trains, JR East will steadily advance towards the realization of a sustainable and affluent global environment. Details of the next-generation hydrogen hybrid trains will be announced separately in the future.

(2) Power Generation: 1% Hydrogen Procurement Declaration at Kawasaki Power Station

JR East operates its own power plants, including the Shinano River Hydroelectric Power Station (hydro) and the Kawasaki Power Station (thermal). The Shinano River Hydroelectric Power Station, a clean energy source that does not emit CO₂, supports railway transportation in the metropolitan area. The Kawasaki Power Station has been promoting the conversion of fuel from heavy oil and kerosene to natural gas, among other efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Going forward, JR East aims to start hydrogen-powered generation by fiscal year 2030 and achieve zero carbon emissions by fiscal year 2050, currently studying the conversion of fuel to hydrogen.

This time, JR East has participated in the '1% Hydrogen Procurement Declaration' by the Hydrogen Value Chain Promotion Council, aiming to convert the fuel of its thermal power generation facilities to hydrogen by introducing small dedicated combustion machines at the Kawasaki Power Station, with a target of using more than 1% hydrogen as fuel. This target is positioned as the first step in expanding the utilization of hydrogen, and JR East will further study the expansion of its use towards the realization of zero carbon emissions by fiscal year 2050 through dedicated hydrogen combustion, among other efforts. JR East is also considering the supply of hydrogen planned to be imported from overseas.

(3) Urban Development

1. Hydrogen Utilization in Karuizawa Area

JR East has participated in the 'Asama Zero Carbon Consortium,' established in November 2025, in the Karuizawa area. JR East Group will promote the creation of hydrogen demand centered on the construction of hydrogen stations and mobility around Karuizawa Station, and in the future, will study the utilization of hydrogen as a city energy on a wide scale.

Going forward, JR East will aim for the utilization of hydrogen in mobility and housing, promoting the realization of a hydrogen society with consortium members.

2. Hydrogen Utilization in TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY

In TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, JR East has promoted the utilization of hydrogen as one of the 'three pillars' for innovation towards the future, introducing fuel cell (FC) trucks for distribution from small logistics hubs to the city, FC waste collection vehicles for city waste collection, and utilizing hydrogen as energy for mobility that circulates within the city. Going forward, JR East will aim to utilize hydrogen not only in mobility but also as part of the energy that supports the city, promoting the social implementation of hydrogen on a larger scale. Through these efforts, JR East will lead the creation of a sustainable and advanced urban energy system from TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.

Creation of a Hydrogen City Model

3. JR Takeshiba Hydrogen Shuttle Bus

The JR Takeshiba Hydrogen Shuttle Bus started operation in October 2020, coinciding with the opening of 'WATERS takeshiba,' using two fuel cell buses with different designs. The shuttle bus circulates between Tokyo Station, the Takeshiba area, and the Hinode Wharf. From September 2025, it will start operation to TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY. Additionally, from March to June 2026, a hydrogen shuttle bus will be operated on a limited basis on weekdays between TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY and OIMACHI TRACKS, serving many customers.

JR East Group will continue to utilize mobility that uses hydrogen, aiming to improve the circulation of people.

JR Takeshiba Hydrogen Shuttle Bus

2. Revision of Internal Carbon Pricing (ICP)

JR East has set an internal carbon price of 5,000 yen/t-CO₂ since fiscal year 2022 to promote investment in facilities that reduce CO₂ emissions, utilizing it to promote the introduction of LED lighting and high-efficiency air conditioning equipment.

This time, considering the upward trend of non-fossil certificates, JR East has revised its internal carbon price. The revised price is approximately three times the upward trend, at 15,000 yen/t-CO₂.