Promotion of the ITER Project
(Unofficial Translation)

5 June 2001
Atomic Energy Commission, Japan

1. Fusion is a promising option for the future energy supply. Fusion requires highly advanced science and technology which calls for long term development efforts. Fusion research and development has been effectively and steadily promoted while maintaining a balance between energy development and basic/fundamental science research.

Fusion research and development in our country has been progressed in an integral way based on the "Third Phase Basic Program of Fusion Research and Development" (hereinafter referred to as the "Basic Program") set up by the Commission in May 1992.

2. The Commission has successively received the reports from the Fusion Council on promotion of the ITER Project. Furthermore, on 18 May 2001, the Commission accepted a report from the "Special Committee of ITER Project" (hereinafter referred to as the "Special Committee") on its deliberation about the position of our country with regard to the ITER Project.

ITER is a Tokamak-type fusion experimental reactor which satisfies the objectives defined in the Basic Program. From the technical review reports provided by the Fusion Council, the Commission understands that ITER can satisfy its technical objectives.

In addition, the Special Committee, comprised of intellectuals representing a wide variety of communities, conducted a wide-range of investigations and deliberation about the Japan's strategy on the promotion of the ITER Project, taking into account the social and economic aspects such as energy supply in the future and international contributions. Furthermore, before finalizing the report, the public comments to the draft report were collected from the nation at large.

3. The Commission has recognized that the results of the reviews and deliberation by the Fusion Council and by the Special Committee are quite appropriate, in view of the energy constraints that mankind is facing and the significance of fusion energy in that context, as well as technical aspects such as feasibility of the ITER Project and social aspects such as a role of our country in the international society, national identity, and ethical and public consciousness of our society. The Commission has reached a conclusion that, in the course of the integral promotion of fusion research and development, it is reasonable to promote the ITER Project with a full respect to the Special Committee's report.

At the same time, the Commission has noted that the Special Committee concluded that "it would be of great significance for Japan to host ITER in addition to participating as a key member". With a view to hosting ITER in Japan, it would be urgently necessary to (1) examine candidate sites for internal selection and confirm whether any of them can be the site which satisfies the requirements; (2) strive to recognize the situations of other parties and start international negotiations with the other parties so that the ITER Project can provide the maximum benefits to our country.

The Commission would like to make a necessary decision, based on careful examination of the process of and outcomes from this work and investigation of the status and outcomes of deliberation by the persons concerned on the issues identified by the Special Committee for further considerations, such as securing financial and human resources.

4. The Commission will positively conduct the ITER project along with the Basic Program and promote further the fusion research and development in a balanced and integrated manner.

The Commission has recognized that it is important to review, at every milestone, the significance and the progress of fusion research and development, including especially the ITER Project, and to publicize the results of the review. It is also important to make continuous efforts in providing highly transparent information on the project to public, including safety issues, so that fusion research and development be well recognized by the nation. The Commission would like to ask the persons concerned to make further efforts for maintaining and improving the public acceptance of fusion research and development. The Commission itself also would like to actively deal with this task.

For further information, contact: H. Kishimoto (hirosik@naka.jaeri.go.jp)