Annual Report for Fiscal 2022
(April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023)

The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK)1. Business Environment and Overview of Operations
The Japanese economy maintains a moderate recovery trend, reflecting the normalization of social andeconomic activities after the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, the environment surrounding the Japanese economy is becoming increasingly severe
due to soaring global energy and food prices as well as monetary restraint in America and Europe.
It is necessary to pay close attention to the risks of a downturn in foreign economies and influences of priceincreases and supply-side constraints.
In addition, there was large-scale damage from landslides and floods caused by torrential rain in the Tohoku
and Hokuriku region in August 2022 and the rain storms by typhoons No.14 and No.15 which hit the
Kyushu region and the Pacific coastlines of the East Japan side respectively in September 2022.
As natural disasters have become more severe and frequent in Japan in recent years, and continual responseto these events has been required.
Turning to the field of high pressure gas safety, the High Pressure Gas Safety Act was revised in June 2022
to establish a new accreditation system that promotes smart safety as a response to the development ofinnovative technology in the industrial safety field and the shortage of the safety-involved humanresources.
Currently, the detailed design of the system is being considered for the start of the system scheduled for
December 2023.
Under these circumstances, governance such as compliance and information security measures were
strengthened in view of the high public responsibility of KHK. KHK also implemented internalreorganization in order to respond flexibly to new technologies, systems, and industrial needs inconsideration of the future management situation.
Specifically, the former nine different departments of the organization excluding Compliance Office andISO Registration Center were consolidated by function and divided into four new departments as below, toeliminate overlap and to unify similar operations.
- General Affairs and Planning Dept.: Planning and management coordination, and administration- Safety and Technology Dept.: Safety technologies related to high pressure gas and liquefied petroleum gas- Inspection and Certification Dept.: Inspection, certification and evaluation related to facilities andequipment- Examination and Education Dept.: Management of national qualifying examinations and statutory
qualification training courses and other educational businesses
In order to respond more proactively and swiftly to the social implementation of hydrogen from both safety
and promotion perspectives, the Hydrogen Safety and Development Center was created in January 2023, byradically strengthening the Hydrogen Team established in February 2021.
KHK is also promoting the digitalization of business operations to improve convenience to customers andstreamlined operations. As e-commerce site and sales management system has also been introduced toaccept orders for publications and applications for seminars.
Additionally, a system was developed that accepts online applications for inspections and other services on
website.
As a result, we kept balance of earning and expense of our business in fiscal 2022, because it was the firstyear when the number of students of statutory qualification training courses increases periodically, and that
we have made significant cuts in labor and operating costs in recent years by streamlining of operations
through digital technology usages and reorganization.

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan2. Overview of Financial Statements for Fiscal 2022
(1) Balance Sheet(As of March31, 2023)
2022

2021

Million Yen

Million Yen

Current assets

3,775

3,680

Fixed assets

Assets(2) Statement of Profit and Loss
(From April 1,2022 to March 31,2023)
Expenditure
Ordinary expenditure

2022

2021

Million Yen

Million Yen

4,661

4,374

4,995

4,498

4,661

4,374

Tangible fixed assets

936

960

Extraordinary loss

0

1

Intangible fixed assets

285

270

Corporate taxes, etc.

1

1Operating expenditure

3,774

3,268

Profit for the term

29

70

Total

8,770

8,177

Total

4,691

4,446

Liabilities/Capital

2022

2021

Income2022

2021

Million Yen

Million Yen

Million Yen

Million Yen

4,691
4,633
57
0
4,690

4,428
4,354
74
18
4,446

Investments

Current liabilities

1,003

724

Fixed liabilities

2,725

2,440

Operating income

Reserve

5,013

4,943

Non-operating income

Profit for the term
Total

29

70

8,770

8,177

Ordinary income

Extraordinary income
Total

3. Overview of Each Activity
3-1. Inspection, Examination and Accreditation(a) Pre-Assessment of Accredited Completion/ Safety Inspection Executor
This pre-assessment undertaken by KHK is part of the statutory service related to the Ministerial
approval of accredited completion inspection executor and safety inspection executor.
Class 1 high pressure gas producers who obtained Ministerial approval as a result of thispre-assessment can replace completion inspections or safety inspections that are conducted by
prefectural or municipal governments with self–inspections by the approved producers themselves.
When the self-inspections are conducted, the results shall be submitted to jurisdictional prefectural or
municipal governments.
Number of pre-assessments
2022

2021

Accredited completion inspection executor

14

18

Accredited safety inspection executor

15

20Super accredited completion inspection executor

05Super accredited safety inspection executor

18(b) Inspections for Pressure Equipment
The High Pressure Gas Safety Act (hereinafter referred to as “HPG Act”) stipulates that the person
who has manufactured/ imported a container or accessory shall apply for the Container/Accessory
Inspection. We at KHK conduct these inspections.
In addition, for preventing explosions or other accidents, the act defines "equipment for high pressure

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japangas production (including storage tanks) "which particularly requires "inspections of its design,material quality, and the process of its manufacturing", as "Designated Equipment." KHK undertakes
mandatory inspections of such Designated Equipment at each manufacturing process.
KHK undertakes technical assessments in advance to obtain Ministerial special approval, and alsooffers services for certification and examination as a part of its optional activities.
In fiscal 2022, the number of application for inspection of containers increased by 0.14% and that ofaccessory equipment decreased by 5.1% compared to the previous fiscal year respectively. And thenumber of application for inspection of Designated Equipment decreased by 7.8% compared to theprevious fiscal year.

Number of Container/Accessory inspections

Number of Designated Equipment Inspections(c) Safety Inspections of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Facilities
Number of inspections of refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities undertaken by KHK
2022 2021
Completion inspection of refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities

24

46

1,497

1,554

Approval of specified equipment (unit type refrigeration equipment)

113

105

Transfer of specified equipment (unit type refrigeration equipment)

0

7

Testing of refrigeration apparatus

250

320

Design strength verification test, etc.

89

158

Safety inspection of refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities(d) Examination of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (hereinafter referred to as “LPG”) alarm, etc.
Number of examination
LPG leak alarm and Bulk gas leak sensor
LPG incomplete combustion alarm
LPG sensor

2022

2021

2,539,381

2,721,354

27,0991,790

20,1801,740

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

3-2. Education(a) Seminars
During fiscal 2022, KHK held various seminars related to high pressure gas as below; on-site lectures
corresponding to the needs of each business facility, safety seminars (such as basic lectures on highpressure gas and seminars on relevant law and regulations), seminars for high pressure gas safety
executors (such as safety inspection seminars), and various seminars corresponding to the local needs.
(b) Publications
KHK publishes books related to high pressure gas safety such as HPG Act, technical standards, andtextbooks for training. During fiscal 2022, KHK published 145 types of books, accounting for a totalof 160,861.
3-3. Assessment and Registration System(a) Assessment and Registration of Quality Management System
Since being accredited by the Japan Accreditation Board (JAB) as a quality management system
certification body in 1994, the KHK ISO Registration Center (KH-ISO Center) evaluates quality
management system for operators in accordance with the ISO 9000 series standards, and manages
registration and publication of registered organizations. In June 2000, the Center started evaluating
and managing registration and publication of registered organizations of the medical device quality
management systems, which requires highly technical knowledge among quality management system
based on ISO13485. As of the end of fiscal 2022, it performs registration in 31 out of the 39
JAB-accredited classes (classes 1-39). As of the end of fiscal 2022, the number of registrations stands
at 744.
(b) Assessment and Registration of Environmental Management Systems
For assessment and registration of environmental management systems (ISO14001), the Center
became a JAB-accredited certification body in 1996. As of the end of fiscal 2022, it operates
registration screenings in 34 out of the 39 JAB-accredited classes (classes 1-39). As of the end of
fiscal 2022, the number of registrations stands at 463.
(c) Assessment and Registration of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
In March 2000, the Center began evaluating and managing registration and publication of registers fororganizations of occupational health and safety management systems based on OSHA18001. In July
2018, the Center initiated management based on newly established ISO 45001. As of the end of fiscal
2022, the number of registrations stands at 29.
(d) Assessment and Registration of Food Safety Management Systems
Taking advantage of the framework of quality management, environmental management, andoccupational and health management systems, in 2011 the Center started managing registration andpublication of registers of organizations based on ISO22000 series as a JAB-accredited body. As of theend of fiscal 2022, the number of registrations based on ISO 22000 stands at 6. Certification of foodsafety management systems based on FSSC22000 which started in FY2013 was terminated at the endof FY2021 due to the contract with the scheme owner, the FSSC Foundation.

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

Change in the total number of registrations
3-4. Measures to Promote LPG Consumer Safety
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Commission operates with contributions from 17 LPG-relatedorganizations, 4 related ministries/agencies, 2 consumer organizations and KHK. In partnership with
the Gas Safety Office of Commerce, Distribution and Industrial Safety Policy Group, METI, thecommission performed the following safety campaigns during fiscal 2022.
(a) LPG Consumer Safety Campaign
Prepared and distributed LPG safety guides and posters, and advertised in magazines, while provided
assistance to safety activities undertaken by prefectural LPG associations.
(b) LPG Consumer Safety Promotion Conference
At the event, the commission offered commendations for LPG retailers and related operators
including individuals with the ‘METI Minister's Secretariat, Director-General for Commerce,
Distribution and Industrial Safety Policy Award,’ ‘KHK Chairman’s Award,' and 'Liquefied
Petroleum Gas Safety Commission President's Award,’ respectively.
3-5. Development and Issue of Technical Standards
To promote safety in activities involving high pressure gas production, sale, consumption, andtransportation, KHK establishes technical standards such as KHK Standards (KHKS) as well as
reviews existing standards.
Committee organizations undertaking the preparation of technical standards are as follows:

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

Each committee consists of committee members appointed from among experts who have relevant
knowledge and experience in high pressure gas or LPG safety. In response to requests from thechairman of KHK, the Technical Committee decides basic policies for establishing the technicalstandards. The technical standards are then established by each standards committee section inaccordance with the basic policies, and the development and issue procedures maintain fairness andopenness as the fundamental rule.
During fiscal 2022, the following standards were confirmed and revised.
(a) Revised Technical Standards
 Standard for Safety Valve of Liquefied Carbon Dioxide Container(KHKS 0127）
 Standard for Repair Welding of Welded Pressure Vessels（KHKS 0180）
 Standard for Bulk Supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (KHKS 0501)
 Standard for Hoses with Combustor Connectors for LPG (KHKS 0721)
 Standard for Flow Rate-Based Switchable Leakage Detection Device for LPG (KHKS 0734)
 Standard for Installation and Handling Procedure of LPG Facilities (KHKS 0738)
 Standard for Specifying the Next Inspection Time of Pressure Resistance and Strength based on
Fitness-for-Service Evaluation of High Pressure Facilities (KHK/PAJ/JPCAS 0851)
 Safety Education Guideline for LPG Sales Operators (KHKS 1701)
 Guideline of Safety Training Program for Class 1 Producer and Specific Plant (KHKS 1801-1)
 Guideline of Safety Training Program for Class 1 Producer and General Plant (KHKS 1801-2)
 Safety Education Guideline for Class 2 Producer, Owner or Possessor of a Class 1 Storage Placeor Class 2 Storage Place, Dealer, or Specific High Pressure Gas Consumer (KHKS 1801-3)(b) Abolished technical standards
 Guideline of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Rule (for Refrigeration-related Business
Establishments)（KHKS 1302）
 Guideline of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Rule (for Specific Business Establishments)(KHKS
1802-1）
 Guideline of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Rule (for General Business Establishments)（KHKS
1802-2）
 Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Nankai Trough Earthquake (for Refrigeration-related
Business Establishments)(KHKS 1303）
 Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Nankai Trough Earthquake (for Specific Business
Establishments) (KHKS 1803-1)
 Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Nankai Trough Earthquake (for General Business
Establishments) (KHKS 1803-2)
 Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Subduction Zone Earthquake around Japan Trench andChishima Trench (for Refrigeration-related Business Establishments) (KHKS 1304）
 Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Subduction Zone Earthquake around Japan Trench andChishima Trench (for Specific Business Establishments)(KHKS 1804-1）
 Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Subduction Zone Earthquake around Japan Trench andChishima Trench (for General Business Establishments)(KHKS 1804-2）
Note: Three types of guidelines: (i)Guideline of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Rule,(ii)Guideline of Disaster Prevention Rule of Nankai Trough Earthquake and (iii)Guideline ofDisaster Prevention Rule of Subduction Zone Earthquake around Japan Trench and Chishima
Trench were incorporated as annexes in Guidelines for Hazard Prevention Regulations.
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG (Type Ⅱ) (KHKS 0726)
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanLPG (Type L) (KHKS 0728)
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG (Type S) (KHKS 0733)
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG (Type SB) (KHKS0737)
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG (Type E and EB) (KHKS0741)
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG (Type S4) (KHKS0742)
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG (Type E4)(KHKS0743)
Note: Each type of the standards related to automatic gas shutoff devices withmicrocomputer-based flow rate detection for LPG was merged into the Standard for AutomaticGas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for LPG（KHKS 0751）.
Please note that standard of Type II and Type L were not included in the new unified standard
because they have not produced for around 10 years and will not be produced in the futureaccording to the related organizations.
(c) Newly established technical standards
 Standard for Bellows Expansion Joints (KHKS 0804)
 Standard for Flexible Tubes (KHKS 0805)
Note: The standard related to flexible tube (KHKS0803) was divided into the two new standards
to clarify the difference of the usage between joints and tube.
 Standard for Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices with Microcomputer-based Flow Rate Detection for
LPG（KHKS 0751）
3-6. Statutory Training (Special Account 1)
By HPG Act, high pressure gas producers are required to establish a safety management teamconsisting of members with a designated high pressure gas production safety management certificate,depending on the type and scale of processing equipment and the type and volume of gas produced. To
train certified personnel, KHK offers lectures on each certificate type, and retraining for existing
members of safety management teams.
In addition, KHK also provides training courses for the following certificates: high pressure gas sales
safety chiefs required at specified high pressure gas dealers, transportation supervisors required fortransportation of specified amount of specified high pressure gas, and specific high pressure gas
operation safety chiefs required for storage and consumption of specified high pressure gas beyond thedesignated capacity.
As for the activities related to the Act on the Securing of Safety and the Optimization of Transaction ofLiquefied Petroleum Gas (hereinafter referred to as “LPG Act”), KHK offers the following courses:
training and retraining of LPG installation engineers for LPG piping facilities used for general
consumption, retraining of retail operation chiefs, training and retraining of LPG filling operators, aswell as training of safety operators and inspectors of facilities designed to consume LPG.
Number of applicants for statutory training
2022

2021

Qualification Training

42,20939,611

Re-training (Compulsory training)

42,53533,133

Total of Statutory training

84,74472,744

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

3-7. National Qualification Examination (Special Account 2)
HPG Act and LPG Act stipulate that the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry or prefectural
governors must be responsible for conducting the high pressure gas production safety management
examination, the high pressure gas sales safety chief examination, and the LPG installation engineer
examination, depending on the classification of examinations.
However, the actual implementation of such examinations was transferred to KHK from the Ministerof Economy, Trade and Industry and prefectural governors. The total number of applicants for suchexaminations in fiscal 2022 was 50,458, which was a decrease of 6.7% compared to 54,088 from theprevious fiscal year.

Number of applicants for National qualification examinations
3-8. Research & Development and Commissioned Studies(a)The Research and Development Center
The research and Development Center at KHK owns testing machines such as tensile/fatigue tests ofmaterials, as well as hydraulic fatigue/explosion tests of pressure equipment including transportablecontainers, undertaking research and development to enhance high pressure gas safety. In addition,
KHK are working on researches commissioned by the government and incorporated administrative
agencies (see (b) (5) (6) below).
In fiscal 2022, the Center conducted 17 studies commissioned by private companies, etc.
(b)Commissioned Studies
KHK conducted the following studies commissioned by the government, etc.
(1) Security measures related to oil and gas supply (i)- Study on the implementation of legal training related to high pressure gas safety- Research and study for further advancement of seismic design methods for highpressure gas equipment- Accident information survey of oil refining plants, etc.
- Survey of technological trends of the latest cited standards for example standards for Class
2 designated equipment in Designated Equipment Inspection Regulations- Study on a new accreditation system of the high pressure gas(2) Advanced security regulations for new energy, etc.
- Development of high pressure gas technical standard for the safe dissemination of newenergy technologies, etc.
- Study on safe use of low GWP refrigerant in freezing equipment

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

(3) Security measures related to oil and gas supply (ii)
- Safety technology dissemination- Study on LPG safety regulations(4) Promotion of the full scale prevalence of ultra high pressure hydrogen infrastructure/Technological development related to domestic regulatory optimization /Research andDevelopment on the introduction of new criteria for evaluatory hydrogen characteristics(5) Full scale diffusion technology research and development project for ultra high pressure hydrogen
infrastructure /Technological development related to cost reduction of hydrogen stations etc.
/Development of evaluation method for composite pressure vessels, and technical development
for the preparation of technical standards(6) Operation performance confirmation and examination work such as security inspections related tothe petroleum gas bedrock storage bases(7) Research and development project for development of the industrial safety technical standard- Training and awards on high pressure gas safety- Study on the reviews of regulations related to high pressure gas containers(8) Examination work for de-carbonization of the national petroleum storage bases

3-10. Collection and Offering of Information, Technical Exchanges(a) Collection of Accident Information
Acting on a commission by METI, KHK compiles a database of high pressure gas and LPG-related
accidents and conduct a statistical analysis. See the reference at the end of this brochure.
(b) Organization of Various Conferences and Conventions
The notable conferences and conventions KHK organized during fiscal 2022 include the following: Grand Conference of National Association of General High Pressure Gas Safety Organizations(Tokyo, September 2022)
The conference was organized for the purpose of fostering cooperation and discussions among generalhigh pressure gas safety organizations established in prefectures. KHK acted as the administrative
secretariat for the conference.
 Seminar on Lessons from Accidents and Safety Management Technology
This seminar is held at the venues as well as delivered online live and on demand.
 Part of Safety Management Technology (Tokyo, October 2022)
This seminar is for the accredited completion and safety inspection executors and the personnelof three management divisions (equipment, operation, and safety), including those atheadquarters management level, of high pressure gas producers at industrial complexes, and it isorganized to provide a place of information provision, information exchange, and discussions
related to high pressure gas producing equipment, their operations, and safety management
activities.
 Part of Lessons from Accidents and Safety Measures (Tokyo, October 2022)
The high pressure gas producers that actually caused accidents explained their experience andpost-accident efforts on safety measures so that seminar participants could make use of theinformation that would be helpful for their future voluntary safety activities, including lessons
from accidents and preventive measures.
 National Conference of High Pressure Gas Safety (Tokyo, October 2022)
The conference, which takes place every October, is organized as a part of the annual high pressure
gas safety promotion week, hosted by METI in conjunction with KHK. Each year, top-rated plants ofsafety, persons who have rendered distinguished safety service and excellent production safety

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japanmanagers are awarded in honor of their continuing hard work, support, and resulting outcomes inpreventing high pressure gas-related accidents.
 High Pressure Gas Equipment Manager Meeting (Kyoto, November 2022)
The meeting is organized annually for the purpose of informing high pressure gas equipment
personnel (applicants for Designated Equipment Inspection) of question and answers about material,
design, welding, and structure-related issues in order to achieve consistent applications across varying
issues.
 Hydrogen Seminar (Online on demand, March 2023)
The seminar was organized to provide hydrogen-related people with a wide range of the latest trends
in hydrogen, including institutional and technical aspects, in view of the realization of ahydrogen-based society.
(c) International Technical Exchange
KHK participate as a delegate to online conferences organized by the American Society of MechanicalEngineers (ASME), and also has established good relations with Korea Gas Safety Corporation andIndustrial Safety and Health Association of Taiwan.

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan4. Organization
4-1. Organization Chart

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

4-2. Membership Status
Types
Companies
Organizations
Individuals
Supporters

March 31, 2023
829
190
82
37

March 31, 2022
838
190
83
35

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanReference: Overview of Accidents in Recent Years
Under the commission of METI, KHK records statistics of high pressure gas- and LPG-related accidents,
based on the number of reports submitted in accordance with the regulatory requirements of HPG Act and
LPG Act.
Figure 1 shows the number of the HPG Act accidents that occurred between 2013 and 2022 classified as
human damages. Note that among the HPG Act accidents, the figure excludes those involving general
consumers, which pertains to LPG Act.

Figure 1: Change in number of the HPG Act accidents classified as human damages

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

Figure 2 shows the LPG Act accidents that occurred between 2013 and 2022 classified as human damages.
The total number of the LPG Act accidents classified as human damages is gradually decreasing.

Figure 2: Change in number of the LPG Act accidents classified as human damages

Contact for inquiries related to this document

The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK)
General Affairs and Planning Department
General Planning and International Affairs Group
4-3-13 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8447
TEL: +81-3-3436-1704 FAX: +81-3-3436-5704
Web: http://www.khk.or.jp/english/index.html
MAIL: oversea@khk.or.jp

Copyright © The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan