The European Union and Japan have jointly announced the commencement of operations for the JT-60SA fusion reactor, the world’s largest and most advanced tokamak-type fusion reactor. Situated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, this reactor symbolizes a significant stride in international fusion energy research. The inauguration ceremony, graced by EU’s Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, and Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Masahito Moriyama, not only celebrated this milestone but also reinforced the EU-Japan partnership in fusion energy development.

The JT-60SA project, part of the Broader Approach agreement between the EU and Japan, represents a critical element in the global effort to develop practical fusion energy. Fusion energy, characterized by its carbon-free and intrinsically safe nature, is a promising solution to the dual challenges of energy supply and environmental sustainability. The reactor is a result of decades of collaborative research and development, underpinning the determination of both entities to achieve a sustainable and clean energy future.

This collaboration includes other significant projects aimed at accelerating fusion power development, such as research into suitable materials for future reactors and the establishment of high-performance computing resources. Additionally, the commitment to the JT-60SA International Fusion School highlights the focus on nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers essential for realizing fusion energy.

The JT-60SA’s journey, from its conception by Soviet scientists in the 1950s to its current state, underscores the complexities and challenges in achieving a sustained fusion reaction that generates more power than it consumes. Despite setbacks, including a major electrical short in 2021, the reactor’s successful initiation marks a beacon of hope in the long pursuit of fusion power – a pursuit that promises unlimited clean energy for the future.