'Nuclear fusion power' ranks 12th amid renewed speculation over earlier-than-planned operation of world's largest experimental reactor ITER

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Nuclear fusion power ranked 12th in the "Popular Theme Rankings" compiled by Minkabu and Kabutan.

Nuclear fusion power generates electricity by fusing light atomic nuclei - such as deuterium and tritium - at extremely high temperatures to form heavier nuclei, harnessing the massive energy released in the process. This approach contrasts sharply with conventional nuclear power, which extracts energy by splitting heavy atoms such as uranium and plutonium, offering distinct advantages in safety and environmental impact. Because the reaction naturally ceases when fuel or power is interrupted, runaway accidents such as meltdowns are impossible, and concerns over high-level radioactive waste are eliminated. Driven by surging electricity demand from a global data center expansion boom, nuclear fusion power is attracting high expectations as an ultimate clean energy solution.

ITER - an international scientific project jointly pursued by seven countries and regions including Japan, the United States, and Europe - is one of the world's largest nuclear fusion experimental reactors, currently under construction in France with a target operational start date of 2034. Recent developments related to the project have drawn significant market attention. On the 25th of last week, the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) announced that it had successfully completed a cryogenic energization test on a large magnetic field coil installed in ITER. In addition, the Director-General of ITER told the Yomiuri Shimbun in an interview that "there is a possibility of advancing the operation start target by nearly one year." While ITER's initial schedule faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and component defects, the market is likely to view comments regarding potential acceleration positively.

On the domestic front, the Sanae Takaichi administration has listed nuclear fusion (fusion energy) among 17 priority investment areas in its growth strategy, and the sector has repeatedly emerged as a policy-driven investment theme. Most recently, it was reported that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology plans to establish a tritium research hub - for nuclear fusion power generation - within a national research institute in Aomori Prefecture for industry-academia-government collaboration. The FY2027 budget request includes a total of 100 billion yen for research, development, and facility construction aimed at commercializing nuclear fusion power.

Among related stocks, large-cap names include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. <7011>, Hitachi, Ltd. <6501>, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. <5802>, JGC HOLDINGS CORPRATION <1963>, The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. <5631>, INPEX CORPORATION <1605>, and HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K. <6965>. In the small- and mid-cap space, SUKEGAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. <7711> and KIMURA CHEMICAL PLANTS CO., LTD. <6378> have been gaining traction in the stock market. Additionally, TOYO TANSO CO., LTD. <5310>, TVE Co., Ltd. <6466>, and Konoshima Chemical Co., Ltd. <4026> are also drawing market attention.

Source: MINKABU PRESS

*Translated by generative AI. Click here for the original article.