OXFORDSHIRE, UK, June 23, 2025 – Tokamak Energy and Furukawa Electric Group have agreed to establish a joint operational base in Japan to manufacture fusion energy power plant magnet technology.
It follows an international partnership between the UK and Japanese governments to collaborate on fusion energy, the power of the stars, announced during a meeting between Kerry McCarthy, parliamentary under-secretary of state (Minister for Climate) and Hiroshi Masuko, senior deputy minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology.
Over the past few years, Tokamak Energy has developed connections with government, business, research and academic groups in Japan. The company is working with Furukawa Electric on the FAST (Fusion Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) project. This project plans to showcase that fusion technology can produce electricity. By 2030 the project should be put to table.
The partners will work to find applications for their high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. This technology could improve performance and support sustainability in fields such as science and medicine, manufacturing, power generation and distribution, as well as transportation by land, water, air and space.
Furukawa Electric entered into an investment agreement with Tokamak Energy in December 2023, building on a partnership aimed at realizing zero carbon, safe and fusion energy.
Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy CEO, said: “Our magnet technology is an essential part of turning the promise of limitless clean fusion energy into commercial reality. This new venture with Furukawa Electric Group will ramp up our manufacturing capabilities and open a new era of superconducting performance in a range of sectors, from powering data centers to revolutionizing electric zero emission motors. Together we can make a global impact by transforming industry and driving innovation.”
Hideya Moridaira, president, Furukawa Electric Group, said: “We are truly honored to take this important step forward with Tokamak Energy, deepening our collaboration and initiating efforts toward manufacturing HTS magnet technology for fusion energy in Japan. At Furukawa Electric Group, we have long been dedicated to the research and development of superconducting technologies, applying them across a wide range of fields including energy and healthcare.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone toward realizing sustainable, safe, and virtually limitless fusion energy. By combining our HTS technology with Tokamak Energy’s innovative fusion technology, we are confident we can contribute meaningfully to the next generation of energy solutions.”
Fusion energy relies on magnetic confinement to contain hydrogen plasma at high temperatures. The magnetic fields are generated by running electrical currents through coils placed around the plasma chamber. These coils are wound with high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes developed by Furukawa Electric and its group company, Super Power Inc. The tapes use layered metal conductors with a coating of ‘rare earth barium copper oxide’ (REBCO), which is itself a superconducting material. The FAST project, led by Starlight Engine Ltd, is a private-sector collaboration involving both industry and academic institutions in Japan and abroad. The initiative supports Japan’s ‘Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy’, which outlines steps toward the development and deployment of fusion energy technologies as part of the country’s long-term decarbonization efforts.
Source: Tokamak Energy
About Tokamak Energy
Tokamak Energy, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, is a private company headquartered in Oxfordshire, UK. Specializing in the development of compact spherical tokamaks and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, the company aims to deliver commercially viable fusion energy solutions. Serving industries focused on clean energy and advanced scientific research, Tokamak Energy has achieved significant milestones, including operating the ST40 tokamak, that reached plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius. In addition to its fusion energy endeavors, the company collaborates on projects utilizing HTS magnet technology for various applications, such as silent marine propulsion systems. As of 2024, Tokamak Energy employs over 260 individuals. The company has raised substantial funding, including $250 million, to support its R&D efforts.
About Furukawa Electric Group
Furukawa Electric Group, based in Tokyo, Japan, has been in operation since 1884. With over 140 years of experience, the company develops and manufactures products including optical fibers and cables, power transmission systems, automotive wire harnesses, magnet wires, superconducting cables, semiconductor materials, and construction-related components. Its offerings are used across industries such as telecommunications, energy infrastructure, automotive, electronics, and building systems. The group operates globally and supports both large-scale industrial systems and emerging infrastructure demands. In the fiscal year ending March 2025, Furukawa Electric reported revenue of approx. ¥1.20 trillion (around $8.3 billion USD). The company employs about 51,000 people worldwide. Its headquarters at Tokiwabashi Tower serves as a hub for coordinating R&D, manufacturing, and global operations, reflecting a structured approach to long-term technology development and industrial support.