Miki Nishimura, Project Manager of the FAST Project, explains more about Japan’s new initiative aiming to achieve fusion-based power generation by the end of the 2030s.
As the global journey to achieve fusion commercialisation intensifies, more and more countries are pooling their resources and efforts into fusion research and development. Home to the world’s current largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor, the JT-60SA, Japan is a major frontrunner in the international race to achieve fusion power on a commercial scale.
Building on Japan’s strengths and reputation in the nuclear fusion sector, a new private-sector initiative – the FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) Project – was launched at the end of 2024. The project aims to achieve fusion-based power generation by the end of the 2030s.
FAST will be located on a chosen site in Japan and aims to generate and sustain a plasma of deuterium-tritium (D-T) reactions, demonstrating an integrated fusion energy system that combines energy conversion, including electricity generation, and fuel technologies. The project will employ a tokamak configuration, chosen for its well-established data and scalability.
To find out more about the project, The Innovation Platform spoke to Project Manager Miki Nishimura.
Can you elaborate on what the FAST Project is?
FAST is a newly launched initiative aiming to demonstrate power generation and other critical path technologies required for a fusion power plant in the 2030s. The project seeks to accelerate the development of fusion as a viable energy source by integrating advanced technologies via collaboration with key industries and research partners.
FAST is a private-sector-led endeavour that brings together Japan’s top universities, national research institutes, and industry leaders in collaboration with international partners from the UK, the US, and Canada. Leveraging Japan’s strengths in fusion technology, – including the JT-60SA tokamak and the supply chain capabilities cultivated through ITER – FAST represents a unique, Japan-led industry-government-academia partnership, driving fusion energy development on both national and global scales.
What makes this project unique and how can it complement other fusion projects?
FAST distinguishes itself by emphasising rapid technological validation and practical implementation. It is designed to bridge the gap between experimental plasma and commercial deployment.
Key differentiators include:
Demonstrating deuterium-tritium (D-T) plasma operations
While most fusion projects to date have used a deuterium-deuterium (D-D) reaction, FAST intends to generate and sustain a deuterium–tritium (D–T) reaction – thereby utilising the real fuel essential for a fusion power plant. This is a critical step toward actual power generation, as it involves handling tritium and proving the feasibility of a full-scale power demonstration through system integration, including the fusion fuel cycle.
Global and domestic collaboration
FAST is predicated on both a strong foundation of global collaboration and Japan’s existing domestic industry-academia partnerships, setting it apart as a unique fusion energy initiative. On the global stage, FAST fosters international co-operation by bringing together researchers from leading institutions and key industrial partners across Japan, the UK, the US, and Canada, thereby pooling expertise from some of the world’s most advanced fusion research organisations and industries.
We actively welcome researchers, industrial partners, and collaborators worldwide to contribute to this groundbreaking initiative. Within Japan, FAST is led primarily by private companies, in a way similar to the leading fusion initiatives underway in the US. At the same time, it is augmented by integration of Japan’s world-class research capabilities via partnerships with the country’s top universities and national research institutes. The project thus takes full advantage of Japan’s strengths, incorporating the design and technologies of JT-60SA – the world’s largest tokamak – while utilising the supply chain expertise cultivated through the ITER project, including (but not limited to) magnets, gyrotrons, and neutral beam injectors (NBI). This Japan-led industry-government-academia collaboration serves as a model for accelerating fusion energy development, both domestically and internationally, with the goal of realising practical fusion power generation.
Compact yet impactful design for practical fusion power
FAST adopts a tokamak configuration – a well-established plasma confinement method with the most extensive research foundation. It specifically employs a low-aspect-ratio tokamak design and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils, allowing for a more compact and cost-effective system with a shorter construction timeline. Despite its compact size, FAST serves as a vital platform for advancing practical fusion power, contributing to the development of demonstration devices (DEMO) and fusion pilot plants (FPPs). By integrating advanced technologies, FAST accelerates progress toward the realisation of commercial fusion energy.
Who are the main parties involved in the project?
The FAST project is a collaborative effort involving leading institutions, government agencies, and private-sector partners. It includes contributions from advanced fusion research institutions, engineering firms, and energy companies, all working together to drive progress in fusion power generation.
Can you explain the proposed stages of the project?
- Conceptual Design Phase (by FY2025): Complete the conceptual design and begin site selection.
- Development & Engineering Phase (by 2028): Develop key components and finalise the engineering design.
- Start construction by 2030.
- Assembly & First Plasma Phase (by 2035): Assemble the system and achieve first plasma ignition.
- Power Generation Demonstration Phase (late 2030s): Conduct demonstration of fusion power generation.
What has been achieved so far?
A conceptual design team composed of plasma researchers, engineering researchers, and experts has already been established, and conceptual design discussions are well underway. Soon, we will collaborate with industry partners and further accelerate efforts related to site solicitation.
Have you been met with any major challenges so far and, if so, how have they been overcome?
The project is still in its early stages, but we anticipate facing various technical challenges as we move forward. These challenges will be addressed through our strong global team – a private-sector-led industry-academia collaboration – bringing together fusion experts from Japan and abroad.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 22nd edition of our quarterly publication.
