Japan Targets 150 GWh Battery Manufacturing Base, Accelerates Solid-State Battery Development
Japan is revising its battery industry strategy, targeting domestic battery manufacturing capacity of 150 GWh per year from 2030 through the mid-2030s, while accelerating the development of solid-state batteries and next-generation technologies with higher power density.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has revised its battery industry strategy, originally formulated in 2022, as the “Battery and Power Supply Industry Strategy.” The revision aims to respond to changes in the global battery market and strengthen the competitiveness of Japanese companies.
A key focus of the revised strategy is expanding Japan’s domestic manufacturing base. The country is targeting annual battery manufacturing capacity of 150 GWh from 2030 through the mid-2030s, compared with the previous target set for 2030.
The target covers not only batteries but also battery components and manufacturing equipment, reflecting Japan’s efforts to strengthen its domestic production base amid uncertainty over future global battery demand.
Japan also aims to triple the global sales of Japanese companies related to the battery industry by 2035 compared with 2025, covering cells, modules, packs and energy storage systems.
Global Battery Market Expected to Double by 2035
According to the revised strategy, the global battery market is expected to grow from approximately ¥23 trillion in 2025 to ¥46 trillion in 2035, effectively doubling over the decade.
However, the outlook for battery demand remains uncertain. The slowdown in the electric vehicle (EV) market in North America and battery oversupply in China are making future demand difficult to predict.
Forecasts for global battery demand in 2030 vary significantly among research institutions, ranging from approximately 1,600 GWh to 2,900 GWh.
These market uncertainties are reflected in Japan’s decision to broaden the timeframe for its domestic manufacturing target rather than maintaining a fixed 2030 deadline.
Japan Pushes Solid-State Batteries Toward Commercialization
Japan is also accelerating efforts to capture the next-generation battery market, particularly solid-state batteries.
The strategy targets full-scale practical application of solid-state batteries around 2030, followed by the establishment of manufacturing capacity corresponding to market demand and expansion into overseas markets by the mid-2030s.
The move is intended to strengthen the technological competitiveness of Japanese companies as competition in the global battery industry intensifies.
Power Density Gains Importance
The revised strategy also highlights power density in addition to energy density.
While energy density indicates how much energy a battery can store, power density measures its ability to deliver high output over a short period.
The growing importance of power density is linked to the expansion of battery applications beyond EVs, including drones and AI robots, which require higher instantaneous power output.
Japan therefore plans to support the development of storage batteries and power supply systems, together with the manufacturing capabilities needed to commercialize these technologies.
Strengthening the Domestic Supply Chain
To achieve its targets, Japan plans to promote capital investment and technological development while encouraging greater cooperation among companies across the battery supply chain.
The strategy focuses on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities for batteries, components and production equipment while improving competitiveness through closer collaboration across the supply chain.
With the global battery market continuing to expand but demand remaining uncertain, Japan is seeking to strengthen both its manufacturing base and technological capabilities while preparing for the next generation of battery applications.
Source: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
