Stakeholder analysis of perceptions of hydrogen cooperation with Japan in India

India and Japan are advancing hydrogen technologies, with Japan leading in areas salient to India (ammonia combustion, hydrogen-based iron reduction, heavy-duty vehicles, and water electrolyzers), making bilateral collaboration particularly valuable and raising the prospect of an India–Japan hydrogen value chain, including exports. Japan is also preparing to import hydrogen through grant-based schemes initiated in October 2024. This study maps and compares stakeholders in both countries using official documents, then conducts semi-structured interviews (11 of 12 targeted decision-makers across companies, research organizations, universities, and a conglomerate) to examine three themes: collaboration with Japan, export feasibility, and diffusion of hydrogen technologies in India. Stakeholders held moderate expectations for Japanese technology licensing (lower than for the United States) and highlighted slow decision-making by Japanese firms; they emphasized local manufacturing in India and the need for Japanese capital to leverage India's strong human talent amid infrastructure and funding constraints. Intellectual property protection was viewed as adequate, suggesting cooperation within the current framework. Medium- to long-term exports to Japan were considered feasible, underpinned by renewable deployment outpacing domestic demand and stable policy support; ammonia was favored as the carrier, whereas liquid hydrogen drew cost and handling concerns. Diffusion in India is expected to take at least a decade, with early uptake in refining, fertilizer, syngas, and iron, and government agencies pivotal via incentives, diffusion support, and public awareness. Key challenges—ecosystem development, cost competitiveness, safety, and demand creation—point to priorities in human capital, regulation, and finance, where Japanese experience could catalyze collaboration. • Hydrogen stakeholders in India and Japan are analyzed and 11 expert interview conducted. • Identifies opportunities and challenges for bilateral cooperation in technology licensing, manufacturing, and capital investment. • Finds exports from India to Japan feasible in the medium to long term, with ammonia favored over liquid hydrogen. • Underscores key challenges—ecosystem development, cost, safety, and demand creation—where Japanese expertise could accelerate progress.