CreatripTeam

At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, Hyundai Motor executive Jeong Yoo-seok said hydrogen vehicles remain a long-term project but highlighted the symbolic importance of launching the second-generation NEXO in Japan. Hyundai has sold about 46,000 NEXO units worldwide and aims for roughly 11,000 next year, with production focused on Europe and North America and possible expansion to the Asia-Pacific and Australia. Japan’s hydrogen car market exists—led by Toyota’s Mirai—but deployment is slow due to a shortage of hydrogen stations, high hydrogen prices (about 2,400 yen per kg, roughly three times Korea’s price), and regulatory limits that keep many stations operating only part-time. Tokyo plans to deploy 10,000 hydrogen cars by 2030 and is discussing subsidies and deregulation to improve conditions. Hyundai Japan’s head said the company currently has no plan to build hydrogen refueling stations in Japan, continuing the debate over whether vehicles or infrastructure should come first. Separately, Hyundai’s small electric Casper (export name: ‘Instar’) is gaining traction in Japan, and the company is preparing to introduce the Kona to appeal to family buyers. (Casper/Instar: Hyundai’s small city electric car)