Japan’s NEDO Funds Consortium to Accelerate Mass Production of Rare-Metal-Free Sodium-Ion Batteries

July 12, 2026

Yomiuri Shimbun Online Japan

Overview

A consortium led by Tokyo University of Science, comprising 14 organizations, has been selected for Japan’s NEDO program to develop mass production technology for rare-metal-free sodium-ion batteries. This national initiative targets early commercialization of globally competitive sodium-ion batteries by integrating efforts across the entire value chain, from material development to cell design and process optimization.

In Depth

Background

The escalating global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems (ESS) for renewable energy places immense pressure on the supply stability and price volatility of rare metals like lithium and cobalt, critical to the currently dominant lithium-ion batteries. Recognizing this, the Japanese government has designated the development of next-generation battery technologies with reduced rare-metal dependency as a national strategic priority to bolster energy security and industrial competitiveness. The NEDO-selected program stands as a crucial pillar of this strategy, aiming to lay the groundwork for Japan to secure global leadership in the burgeoning sodium-ion battery sector amidst intense international technological rivalry.

Key Findings

A consortium spearheaded by the Tokyo University of Science, encompassing 14 organizations—including prominent battery cell manufacturers, material suppliers, universities, and national research institutes—has been chosen for Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) program, specifically ‘Innovative Storage Battery Technology Development and Advanced Analysis.’ This significant national endeavor is dedicated to establishing mass production technologies for sodium-ion batteries, hailed as a critical next-generation energy storage solution that eliminates reliance on rare metals. The project employs a holistic strategy to simultaneously reduce manufacturing costs and boost the performance of sodium-ion batteries. Its scope covers the entire value chain, from developing core components such as cathode materials, anode materials, and electrolytes, to optimizing cell designs for these components, and finally establishing robust process technologies for large-scale production. A pivotal material innovation is the complete exclusion of rare metals like lithium and cobalt, notorious for their supply chain issues in current lithium-ion batteries, in favor of abundantly available sodium. This critically mitigates resource dependency risks. The successful execution of this NEDO-backed project is anticipated to mark a pivotal moment for Japan’s battery industry. Establishing mass production technology for sodium-ion batteries will unlock the provision of more cost-effective and sustainable battery solutions across diverse applications, from EVs and stationary ESS to industrial power supplies. This initiative will not only fortify Japan’s domestic battery manufacturing base but also enhance the resilience of its supply chain. Moreover, the rare-metal-free nature of these batteries will significantly reduce environmental impact, contributing directly to the realization of a sustainable society. This project serves as a critical litmus test for Japan’s leadership in next-generation energy storage innovation and its capacity to forge a competitive edge in the global market.

Source: https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20260709-GYT1T00242/

Get our weekly technology intelligence — free

Receive an infographic that lets you judge at a glance whether each field’s analysis report is worth reading.

Subscribe Free — Weekly Tech Intelligence

By subscribing, you’ll receive Troy-Technical’s weekly technology intelligence newsletter.