首相“氫時代開始”......加速放鬆管制

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

首相「水素時代の幕開け」…規制緩和をへ

2015年01月15日 22時39分

　安倍首相は１５日、水素を燃料として活用する「水素社会」の実現に向け、規制緩和を加速する考えを示した。

　水素で走る燃料電池車に燃料を供給する水素ステーションで、ガソリンスタンドのように利用者が自ら燃料を入れる「セルフ式」を可能にするなど現在の規制を見直す。

　トヨタ自動車の燃料電池車「ミライ」の市販第１号車の納車式が１５日、首相官邸で行われた。首相は試乗後、「いよいよ水素時代の幕開けだ。さらなる規制改革と技術開発の２本立てで前進させていきたい」と強調した。

　ただ、水素ステーションは１５日時点で、全国に４か所しかなく、大きな壁になっている。ガソリンスタンドに比べ、より広い敷地面積が必要で、立地の規制も厳しい。事業者からは、安全基準が欧州に比べて厳しいとして、見直しを求める声が根強い。政府は今後、規制改革会議で詳細を詰め、６月に一連の規制改革の実施計画をまとめ、事業者が水素ステーションを整備しやすい環境作りを進める。

(試譯文)

  On the 15th (January) Prime Minister Abe showed the idea to accelerate the relaxation of regulations so as to realize a "Hydrogen society" in which hydrogen would be used as a fuel.

 Regarding the hydrogen station where hydrogen would be supplied to Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) that were run by hydrogen, the present regulations would be reconsidered so as to make possible a “self system" in which a user could put in the fuel personally like in a gas station.

  On the 15^th, a car delivery ceremony for the marketing of the first FCV  the "Mirai" of Toyota Motor was performed at the Prime Minister's official residence. The prime minister after doing a test ride stressed that "finally it is the beginning of the hydrogen era. I would like to further push ahead the twin features of regulation reform and technical development".

  However, as of the 15th there were only 4 hydrogen stations in the whole country.  There was a big wall. Compared with gas stations they needed a large lot area, also there were severe regulations over their locations. It was assumed that the safety standard was tough compared with Europe and the voice from enterprises to ask for a reconsideration was persistent. From now on, the government had to consolidate the details in a regulation reform meeting, and to compile in June an execution plan on a series of regulation reforms. Meanwhile the enterprises would advance the promotion of hydrogen stations with the creation of a friendly environment.

I look forward to the further development of Fuel Cell Vehicles that would help create a friendly environment.