Fusion future: Japan to test first nuclear reactor of its kind in the 2030s

Japan is gearing up for a major leap in clean energy innovation with plans to test a pilot nuclear fusion power plant in the 2030s, according to a report from Nikkei. This marks a significant milestone in Japan’s ambitious pursuit of fusion technology, which could revolutionise the country’s—and the world’s—energy future.

Back in 2023, Japan adopted a strategy to develop nuclear fusion, but it didn’t include specific timelines for testing such a plant. Instead, it promised that the government would set a schedule “as soon as possible.” Now, the latest version of this foundational document is expected to spell out approximate dates and outline a clear roadmap for the pilot project. This will likely include the formation of a dedicated task force, the creation of a legal framework, and key funding decisions to get the project moving.

Already driving progress is a consortium of 16 Japanese companies that, in 2023, committed roughly 10 billion yen (about $73.6 million) toward fusion research. Major players in this group include Mitsubishi Corporation, the energy giant Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO), and a government investment fund. They are backing Tokyo-based Kyoto Fusioneering, a startup founded in 2019 by Kyoto University researchers. Kyoto Fusioneering stands out as one of Japan’s most successful fusion firms, particularly because it utilises some of the best gyrotrons—critical components that generate the intense microwave energy needed to heat plasma inside a fusion reactor.

Currently, Japan is focused on developing the technologies required to maintain a stable nuclear fusion reaction inside a reactor. The government’s vision is to become a global leader in this field, unlocking a vast new market for Japanese companies, as Nikkei highlights.

Japan is also a key partner in the international ITER project, which aims to build the world’s first international tokamak fusion reactor near Marseille, France. This groundbreaking effort brings together experts from the European Union, Russia, China, the United States, India, Kazakhstan, Japan, and South Korea. ITER’s mission is to prove that nuclear fusion can be harnessed safely and effectively for peaceful energy production. According to updated plans, ITER’s first experiments are scheduled for 2034, with full operation targeted for 2039.

The term “tokamak” is a Russian acronym meaning “toroidal chamber with magnetic coils,” and it has become a global standard term in fusion research. The world’s first tokamak was built in the Soviet Union in 1954. Japan itself operates two experimental tokamaks—JT-60 in Ibaraki Prefecture and QUEST in Fukuoka Prefecture—both playing crucial roles in advancing fusion science.

By Tamilla Hasanova