Gaining first-hand insight into progress
On Saturday 12 September, Onoda Kimi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy of Japan*, visited ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ to gain first-hand insight into progress in the construction of the world's largest fusion energy project.
The visit began at ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Headquarters with an overview of the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ project presented by Kamada Yutaka, ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Deputy Director-General for Science and Technology, and Omae Takayoshi, Deputy Head of the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Construction Project. Discussions focused on ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ's role in advancing fusion energy, recent construction achievements, and the importance of sustained international cooperation in delivering this unique scientific and technological endeavour.
Minister Onoda then participated in an extensive tour of the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ site, including key facilities such as the Radiofrequency Heading Building, the cryoplant, the magnet cold test facility, the Assembly Hall, and viewpoints overlooking the tokamak assembly pit. The visit provided an opportunity to observe the scale of the installation works currently underway and the tangible progress made toward assembly of the fusion machine.
A concluding discussion with ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ representatives allowed for an exchange on future milestones and the broader significance of fusion energy for addressing long-term global energy and climate challenges. As one of the seven ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Members, Japan continues to play a major role in the project's success through its scientific, industrial, and technical contributions.
The Minister's visit to ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ and subsequent discussions with ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Director-General Pietro Barabaschi at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna underscored Japan's longstanding commitment to the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ project and its confidence in fusion energy as a strategic technology for the future global energy mix.
*From 17 September 2026 forward, Minister Onoda became Japan's Minister of State for Economic Security.
