Japan’s fusion sector is defined by collaboration. Startups, universities and legacy industrial firms share expertise and resources to accelerate commercialisation, while government-led initiatives like the Japan Fusion Energy Council (J-Fusion) aim to foster partnerships across the ecosystem.
This intermingling—Kyoto Fusioneering was established as a spin-off from Kyoto University, for example—provides stakeholders with unprecedented access to capabilities, expertise and capital.
“One of the advantages of being a spin-off from a university is the research infrastructure that most in the private sector can’t afford, but which we’re able to access,” says Mr Konishi. The ability to make use of specialised chemicals, instruments and facilities for handling materials that require special care is part of what allows Kyoto Fusioneering to focus on long-term innovations rather than short-term profits.
Progress in fusion engineering depends on each actor playing to its strengths. “Research institutes are primarily funded by taxpayers, so they aren’t always flexible enough to accept the risks of new techniques or equipment,” says Akio Sagara, professor emeritus at Japan’s National Institute for Fusion Science. Startups, on the other hand, are able to make the risky, disruptive moves that lead to breakthroughs through rapid decision-making, and these innovations are then eventually industrialised by big businesses.
As Japan’s fusion projects mature through the rapid advancement and broadening scope of its cutting-edge core technologies, funding sources are becoming as specialised as the technologies themselves. “As we move from prototype reactors to the first commercial units, it makes sense for there to be the division of roles and collaboration between publicly funded research institutions and private capital,” says Professor Sagara.
Consequently, Japanese startups that aim to build fusion energy machines have attracted venture capital backing from major funds. EX-Fusion has received funding from Mitsubishi UFJ Capital and SMBC Venture Capital, while Helical Fusion and Linea Innovations are backed by SBI Investments and Mizuho Capital, respectively.
AloJapan.com