Japanese Government minister visits Oxford fusion firm

First Light Fusion welcomed State Minister Soichiro Imaeda from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on July 23.

First Light conducted a roundtable discussion with the Japanese delegation, led by the company's chief financial officer, David Bryon.

Soichiro Imaeda with First Light Fusion chairman, Bart Markus (Image: First Light Fusion)

Members of the delegation were also taken on a tour of the company's facilities, including Machine 3 - the largest pulsed power facility of its kind in Europe.

Mr Imaeda said: "Thank you for the opportunity to visit First Light Fusion today.

"I have heard that First Light Fusion is taking a unique approach, and I am looking forward to hearing new stories.

"I am happy to exchange information with you on the status of start-ups in the fusion energy sector."

State Minister Soichiro Imaeda, from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, led the delegation (Image: First Light Fusion)

The meeting, held at First Light’s Oxford headquarters, marks the continuation of a partnership between the UK and Japan on the rapid progression of fusion commercialisation.

In April 2023, the Japanese Government launched the Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy.

This strategy aims to support the "realisation of fusion energy as the world’s next-generation energy source".

Advances in inertial fusion energy, including the demonstration of ignition by the National Ignition Facility in December 2022, spurred the Japanese government to make fusion research a key pillar in its future energy strategy.

The delegation from the Japanese Government at First Light Fusion (Image: First Light Fusion)

Part of the Japanese strategy involves greater cooperation with the UK as a leading global fusion player.

Mr Bryon said: "We are delighted to welcome State Minister Soichiro Imaeda and his team to First Light Fusion.

"In the global fusion race, Japan is showing real leadership by delivering a government-led national fusion strategy to unlock private funding, backing inertial fusion energy as the leading viable approach to commercial fusion, and driving vital global cooperation.

"It was a pleasure to demonstrate our technological capabilities and recent advancements in our unique amplifier technology.

The visit came as the UK and Japan seek closer collaboration on commercial fusion energy research (Image: First Light Fusion)

"Our amplifier technology will be key in unlocking commercially viable and affordable fusion energy at scale as part of a global clean energy mix which will help deliver on our shared 2050 net zero target.

"The fact that Japan has launched its own national fusion strategy in the last 18 months is significant."

In May, First Light Fusion attended an event in Tokyo hosted by the British Embassy which brought together the British and Japanese fusion industries and representatives from both governments.

Founded a decade ago, the company is central to the UK’s efforts in developing inertial fusion energy.