Production of hydrogen without CO2-emission and a safe storage method of hydrogen are expected for the fuel-cell era in the next century. In order to meet this expectation, the authors proposed a new method for the storage and production of hydrogen from methane mediated by indium and iron oxides. First, methane is decomposed into carbon and hydrogen on a Ni/SiO2 catalyst at > 673 K. The hydrogen is used for the reduction of metal oxides into reduced metal oxides. The reducing potential of hydrogen is preserved in the reduced oxides that can be stored under open-air at room temperature and transported safely. The contact of the reduced oxides with water vapor at 673 K quickly regenerates pure hydrogen without carbon oxides (CO, CO2). (C) 2001 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.