October 2004

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A new residence being built for Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will be equipped with a fuel cell power generation system - apparently the first such system for any head of state. The new residence, to be completed next March, will serve as private living quarters for the premier, said Kyodo News in a mid-September report, as part of the premier’s pledge to promote the use of fuel cells to help protect the environment and conserve energy. Koizumi works at the official residence, located near Japan’s parliament, the Diet. The residence’s 1 kW system, developed by Tokyo Gas Co., provides enough hot water and electricity for a family of four, according to the report. Tokyo Gas plans to start selling the system next March, Kyodo News said.