Gaining first-hand insight into progress
On Saturday 12 September, Onoda Kimi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy of Japan*, visited ITER to gain first-hand insight into progress in the construction of the world's largest fusion energy project.
The visit began at ITER Headquarters with an overview of the ITER project presented by Kamada Yutaka, ITER Deputy Director-General for Science and Technology, and Omae Takayoshi, Deputy Head of the ITER Construction Project. Discussions focused on ITER's role in advancing fusion energy, recent construction achievements, and the importance of sustained international cooperation in delivering this unique scientific and technological endeavour.
Minister Onoda then participated in an extensive tour of the ITER site, including key facilities such as the Radiofrequency Heading Building, the cryoplant, the magnet cold test facility, the Assembly Hall, and viewpoints overlooking the tokamak assembly pit. The visit provided an opportunity to observe the scale of the installation works currently underway and the tangible progress made toward assembly of the fusion machine.
A concluding discussion with ITER representatives allowed for an exchange on future milestones and the broader significance of fusion energy for addressing long-term global energy and climate challenges. As one of the seven ITER Members, Japan continues to play a major role in the project's success through its scientific, industrial, and technical contributions.
The Minister's visit to ITER and subsequent discussions with ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna underscored Japan's longstanding commitment to the ITER project and its confidence in fusion energy as a strategic technology for the future global energy mix.
*From 17 September 2026 forward, Minister Onoda became Japan's Minister of State for Economic Security.
