US and Japan Partner to “Accelerate Fusion Energy Demonstration and Commercialization”
On April 10, the United States and Japan announced a strategic partnership to accelerate fusion commercialization efforts. The bilateral agreement aims to advance and build off of fusion initiatives from both countries – the U.S.’ Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy and Strategy for International Partnerships in a New Era of Fusion Development and Japan’s Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy. Both countries have been advancing fusion initiatives within their strategies, and this partnership is a key collaborative step forward amid the global race to commercial fusion.
The partnership will focus on the following pillars:
The Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States of America and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan
- Address the scientific and technical challenges of delivering commercially viable fusion energy for various fusion systems, through activities conducted pursuant to the STA;
- Explore opportunities for shared access and/or development of facilities required for fusion research and development, and for how a coordinated, strategic approach can maximize value for the United States and Japan;
- Promote the international harmonization of regulatory frameworks and codes and standards, including leveraging of rule-making efforts by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as well as ongoing discussions under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Agile Nations Fusion Energy Working Group;
- Identify and support the development of resilient global supply chains that facilitate commercial fusion deployment, welcoming and considering discussions among fusion industry groups in the respective countries;
- Support public engagement with communities to facilitate a social license for deploying fusion energy and to support an equitable clean-energy transition; and
- Promote skills development to ensure the people and talent growth necessary for the robust, inclusive and diverse workforce required by the fusion sector in the next decade and beyond.
Collaboration, not only across public and private sectors, but across countries is an important tool for fusion technology advancement. As an international association with members in both the U.S. and Japan, the FIA will strongly support the newly-announced partnership. Fusion is too important for needless competition: like-minded countries should work together towards the common goal.
Read the full press release and joint statement from the U.S. Department of Energy, and the joint statement from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The partnership announcement is also included in a White House joint statement released by the US and Japan governments, and in a White House fact sheet about Prime Minister Kishida’s US visit.
“We are further leading the way in developing and deploying next generation clean energy technology, including fusion energy development through the announcement of a U.S.-Japan Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Fusion Energy Demonstration and Commercialization.”
The White House, United States-Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement
“Deepening Energy Cooperation: Both of our countries recognize the importance of clean energy as we look to combat the effects of climate change and lay the groundwork for clean and resilient economic growth this century. The United States and Japan announced the U.S.-Japan Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Fusion Energy Demonstration and Commercialization. The United States and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the global transition to zero-emissions energy and working with other fossil energy importers and producers to minimize methane emissions across the fossil energy value chain to the fullest extent practicable. Both countries also intend to support the establishment of green shipping corridors including a new grain corridor to support global efforts to decarbonize the international shipping sector.”
The White House, FACT SHEET: Japan Official Visit with State Dinner to the United States