Fusion energy—hailed as the "sun on Earth"—holds tremendous promise for decarbonization and energy security. Designated as one of Japan's 17 strategic focus areas, development is rapidly accelerating toward the national target of demonstrating power generation by the 2030s.

As Japan’s first fusion industry association, J-Fusion was launched in response to the first Japanese Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy. The council promotes industrial growth, safety regulations, standards, academic partnerships, talent development, and crucially, supply chain development aligned with global trends. This session provides an overview of the current development landscape, strategic initiatives, and key expectations for building a robust fusion supply chain.

We are a copper alloy materials manufacturer now in our 85th year of operation, and with 180 employees, we are a typical small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). This presentation will explain what inspired such an SME to become involved in fusion energy, the challenges we have faced over the past 20 years, and where we are headed in the future. Currently, through QST, we are participating in projects for JT-60SA and ITER, as well as ITER-related work through F4E.
Our core technology is the ability to control grain size and optimize manufacturing processes and conditions to achieve superior mechanical properties. We have utilized our accumulated know-how to supply CuCrZr alloys used in divertors, upper launchers, and first walls. Recently, we have been actively collaborating with startups rising up around the world. Going forward, we want to contribute widely to society by discovering new materials and supplying them to the fusion industry.