May 1, 1997

FPN97-12 Fusion Program Notes

Japanese News Reports on ITER

On April 24, the "Planning Committee to the Committee on Reformation of Financial Structure," a group formed by the Japanes Cabinet and the three political parties in Japan supporting Prime Minister Hashimoto, met to discuss how to deal with the Japanese budget deficit. Specifically they discussed possible cuts in the areas of education, science and technology. No official statement has come out of this meeting, but Japanese newspapers, based on leaks, ran stories on April 25.

It appears that a majority of those involved in the discussions were of the opinion that, in order to deal with the fiscal situation, Japan should not support any large new projects in the areas of atomic energy, fusion or space, until the year 2000. It was hoped that the fiscal situation might improve by then. Some members of the committee expressed the view that, since they perceived that support for ITER in the US was weak, Japan should therefore not offer to host ITER. Many members of the committee believe that science and technology are so important that these areas should not be cut, though the planned buildup of that budget should be delayed.

The news reports ran headlines like "Not Host ITER,"and "Freeze Hosting ITER," basically stating that a consensus had been reached not to host ITER.

A committee organized by the Japan Atomic Energy Commission will be making a detailed report and recommendation to the Japanese government relating to ITER early next year. A more formal and orderly decision making process will then run its course. It should be noted that a 2-3 year "transition period" was already being contemplated by the ITER Parties (See Fusion Power Associates Executive Newsletter, April 1997).

For more information, contact: Stephen O. Dean