Statement by Minister SHIMIZU Chitaru at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 2 March 2026 Item 4: Nuclear Technology Review 2026
2026/3/3
Thank you, Chair,
We thank the Agency for its report “Nuclear Technology Review 2026”. First of all, Japan welcomes various advancements made by the IAEA as shown in the report, especially in regard to the partnerships with international financial organizations and its flagship initiatives, and we would like to highlight some of Japan’s key efforts relevant to the report.
In line with its 7th Strategic Energy Plan, Japan is committed to maximizing the use of nuclear energy alongside renewables to ensure a stable supply of decarbonized electricity. Japan envisions that nuclear power will play a critical role in its energy mix, aiming for approximately 20%, almost twice that of its current ratio, by FY2040.
With the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards as a fundamental premise of Japan’s policy on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Japan steadily proceeds with the restarting of nuclear power plants and extending their operational life, reflecting the global trend toward long-term operation. Furthermore, recognizing the momentum for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Japan promotes the development of next-generation advanced reactors for their future deployment.
In addition, Japan revised the Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy in June 2025 with the aim of early power generation demonstration, by acquiring key technologies through the ITER Project and promoting innovative emerging technologies. JT-60SA, a state-of-the-art device in fusion research jointly constructed with the EU, is scheduled to begin its plasma heating experiments this year.
Japan remains dedicated to contributing to global carbon neutrality through its advanced technologies and continued global partnership, in full cooperation with the IAEA.
Moving to non-power applications, as shown in the report, one of the highlights last year was the technical meeting in August organized by the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology — part of Japan’s Rays of Hope anchor centre. The meeting focused on advanced radiotherapy including particle therapy, where Japan is a world pioneer, and trained various experts from anchor centres in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Japan reiterates its commitment to the promotion of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in cooperation with the IAEA.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the Agency’s report.
Thank you, Chair.
We thank the Agency for its report “Nuclear Technology Review 2026”. First of all, Japan welcomes various advancements made by the IAEA as shown in the report, especially in regard to the partnerships with international financial organizations and its flagship initiatives, and we would like to highlight some of Japan’s key efforts relevant to the report.
In line with its 7th Strategic Energy Plan, Japan is committed to maximizing the use of nuclear energy alongside renewables to ensure a stable supply of decarbonized electricity. Japan envisions that nuclear power will play a critical role in its energy mix, aiming for approximately 20%, almost twice that of its current ratio, by FY2040.
With the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards as a fundamental premise of Japan’s policy on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Japan steadily proceeds with the restarting of nuclear power plants and extending their operational life, reflecting the global trend toward long-term operation. Furthermore, recognizing the momentum for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Japan promotes the development of next-generation advanced reactors for their future deployment.
In addition, Japan revised the Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy in June 2025 with the aim of early power generation demonstration, by acquiring key technologies through the ITER Project and promoting innovative emerging technologies. JT-60SA, a state-of-the-art device in fusion research jointly constructed with the EU, is scheduled to begin its plasma heating experiments this year.
Japan remains dedicated to contributing to global carbon neutrality through its advanced technologies and continued global partnership, in full cooperation with the IAEA.
Moving to non-power applications, as shown in the report, one of the highlights last year was the technical meeting in August organized by the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology — part of Japan’s Rays of Hope anchor centre. The meeting focused on advanced radiotherapy including particle therapy, where Japan is a world pioneer, and trained various experts from anchor centres in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Japan reiterates its commitment to the promotion of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in cooperation with the IAEA.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the Agency’s report.
Thank you, Chair.