Public Acceptance of Hydrogen Energy in Japan — Suggestion based on Social Survey

Abstract

This questionnaire survey regarding public acceptance of hydrogen energy and hydrogen stations in Japan was conducted in the Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures) in November 2009. The respondents were adult males and females and the valid response was 800 (response rate: 51.4%). The selected methodology was stratified two-step sampling (area sampling), and surveyor-visit and self-completion questionnaire. There will be two types of hydrogen station installation in future: attaching to existing gas stations and building on new sites. Therefore, in order to analyze the acceptance of each installation type, the respondents were divided into two groups: living near gas stations (within a 100 m radius) and else. This is one of the remarkable features in this survey.

This survey suggests that the respondents generally show preference in accepting hydrogen stations to some extent, which would suggest higher acceptance. It also suggests that concerns about technological reliability, types and potential of system accidents in hydrogen stations can reduce the acceptance level, while “recognition that the society needs this” can improve acceptance level. Based on these findings, possible ways of future communication were discussed.