Japanese fusion reviews

Abstract

The fusion research and development (RD the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture), including The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), which was newly formed in May 1989 directly under the MBS, and (3) industrial sector which is actively in cooperation with sectors (1) and (2) in technological R&D and manufacturing equipments. Now fusion activities under JAEC and STA, including the construction of JT-60 and others, were initiated in 1975 when JAEC prepared the "Second-Stage Fusion R&D Base Plans." Since then, fusion R&D has progressed substantially worldwide, and Japan has made many contributions to the development of fusion-core plasmas, as well as related new technologies. On the other hand, as you well know, an international joint design activity for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) was initiated in April 1988, subsequent to the INTOR activities, under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The first phase, conceptual design activities (CDA) were completed December 31, 1990. In view of these circumstances, it has come to be recognized in Japan that it is time to review the overall fusion activities over the past 15 years, as well as to reconstruct basic guidelines for possible scientific and technological steps of the next-generation fusion R&D