Japan’s economy minister has unveiled a plan to develop a next-generation aircraft by 2035. This Japanese-style Airbus will be allocated a budget of $33 billion (5 trillion yen), split between the public and private sectors. It will explore the solution of hydrogen engines.

Tokyo’s aim is to move on from the SpaceJet project, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries alone, which started in 2008 and had to be stopped in 2023. A failure that the government wants to forget. This time, Mitsubishi will once again be involved, along with partners who are well established in the hydrogen industry. The cooperation could even extend beyond Japan, according to Nikkei Asia.

While China has succeeded in setting up Comac, and also has ambitions to embark on hydrogen, Japan also wants to produce its own aircraft. This is the first time this has happened since 1962, according to an AFP dispatch. The hydrogen solution, which Airbus is promoting in Europe, is compatible with the country’s desire to be carbon neutral by 2050.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili