France and Japan align on fusion energy goals
Paris and Tokyo strengthen ties with a renewed commitment to nuclear energy development, including fusion.
At the invitation of the Japanese government, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Japan from 31 March to 2 April 2026. He met with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in Tokyo on 1 April, where they reaffirmed shared values and welcomed progress on the Franco-Japanese Cooperation Roadmap (2023–2027).
Both leaders committed to strengthening cooperation in key areas, particularly nuclear energy. They endorsed a joint declaration highlighting the importance of collaboration on fusion energy projects, including ITER and JT-60SA.
The declaration confirms plans to commission the JT-60SA tokamak by the end of 2026 (the device is currently preparing for a new experimental campaign) and to begin ITER’s initial research operations in 2034. It also reiterates support for broader joint initiatives such as the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF-EVEDA) and the International Fusion Energy Research Center (IFERC).
See statements from the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan and from the website of the French Presidency (the joint declarations, in French, on cooperation and nuclear energy).