Recent Status of Nusclear Fusion Research

Abstract

Nuclear Fusion is an excellent energy source characterized by high safety and inexhaustible fuel. Japan has been leading the world fusion research with achievement of the break-even condition in JT-60U etc. Now fusion research is coming to the stage of ‘system integration.’ Towards demonstration of the burning plasma and integrated fusion engineering, construction of ITER is underway in St Paul Lez Durance, France. In order to contribute to the success of ITER and complement ITER towards the demonstration reactor (DEMO), Japan and Europe are operating ‘The Broader Approach Activity’ in Japan, in which the JT-60A tokamak device is under construction in Naka city, Ibaraki prefecture for development of steady-state high pressure plasma operation and the IFMIF prototype accelerator for the fusion neutron engineering is under construction in Rokkasho village in Aomori prefecture. Fostering the next generation is also the important purpose of these activities. “The All Japan Activity” was recently organized for DEMO design and development.