Japan Launches FAST Fusion Project

The FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) project has been launched in Japan with the aim of achieving fusion-based power generation by the end of the 2030s.

FAST 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.

Moving forward, a conceptual design team will be organized, composed of plasma researchers and power plant engineering researchers. The preliminary design is expected to be completed with the year 2025. A thorough evaluation of the internal and external environment, including technology, funding, regulation and policy, will be conducted at the transition to detailed design, where a decision will be made on the feasibility of execution.

Fusion experts from the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Institute of Science (Tokyo), Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Kyushu University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (USA), Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd, Tokamak Energy (Great Britain), General Atomics, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Fusion Fuel Cycles (Canada) are involved in the project.