Dr. Tsunematsu began his scientific career in 1976 at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). In 1993, he was appointed Leader of the ITER Home Team Design Group in Naka. In April 2000, he became Director of the Naka Fusion Research Establishment and, in April 2006, he became Director-General of the Fusion Directorate at Naka. From October 2007 to March 2009, he headed the Japanese ITER Domestic Agency.