Helical Fusion, which is advancing the practical application of fusion energy, has collaborated with Hishiki Mold Industry, a large-scale metal precision machining company, to complete key componen...
- 3月19日
- 読了時間: 7分
Leveraging Japan's manufacturing expertise, we are advancing the world's first production of actual machines through a collaborative system.
Helical Fusion Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Takaya Taguchi; hereinafter "Helical Fusion"), which is developing a helical-type nuclear fusion reactor with the aim of achieving the world's first "practical power generation" using fusion energy, has completed the production of some components for the final demonstration device "Helix HARUKA" through a business collaboration with Hishikigata Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director: Yasuhiro Hara; hereinafter "Hishikigata Kinzoku"), which has technical capabilities and a track record in large-scale metal precision processing for the aerospace and other fields.
Completed contents:
All 10 parts of the "coil case" used with Helix HARUKA
Prototype of one multiplication blanket part for Helix HARUKA
These are all components that will play a major role in the practical application of fusion power plants, and we have succeeded in high-precision material processing that simulates the actual equipment.
Of the completed components, 10 "coil cases" will be transported to the dedicated Helical Fusion space on the grounds of the National Institute for Fusion Science (Toki City, Gifu Prefecture), the construction site, for the manufacturing of Helix HARUKA Phase 1*.
In response, Helical Fusion will accelerate the manufacturing and construction of "Helix HARUKA," the final demonstration device and the most recent milestone in the "Helix Project," which aims to commercialize fusion energy in the 2030s.
*The prototyping of the proliferation blanket parts was completed with support from Aichi Prefecture as part of the Aichi Deeptech Launchpad project.
■ Strengths of Hishiki Mold Industry and Fusion Power Plants
The processing of blankets used in the core of fusion power generation requires handling large components, some reaching tens of meters in height, while maintaining high precision with tolerances of only a few millimeters. In particular, the frequent use of hard metals such as stainless steel, which are difficult to process, necessitates skilled techniques and experience at every stage, from design to manufacturing. Hishiki Mold Industry is a company that prides itself on its craftsmanship, having handled large-scale, high-precision machining in the aerospace sector and other global companies for many years, and has accumulated a track record of receiving orders from them. This technical expertise is also invaluable in the processing of components for fusion power generation.
■ About the Helix Project
Helical fusion reactors are a type of reactor whose characteristics have been evaluated as suitable for commercial power plants as a result of 70 years of research and development at national universities and national research institutions* 1 . Helical Fusion is one of the few private companies that is leveraging this knowledge to commercialize fusion energy, and is advancing the "Helix Program" to achieve commercial power generation using helical fusion reactors. The Helix Program aims to complete individual demonstrations of the two major development elements, "high-temperature superconducting magnet" and "blanket/divertor," by the 2020s, and to achieve integrated demonstration with the final demonstration device "Helix HARUKA" and the world's first commercial power generation with the first power generation unit "Helix KANATA" by the 2030s.
Since 2025, we have been working on the manufacturing and construction of "Helix HARUKA". Leveraging the expertise of a specialized team led by CTO (Junichi Miyazawa), Helical Fusion is leading the development as an integrator, and is steadily advancing its engineering by leveraging its strong collaborative network with manufacturing companies throughout Japan.
■ Three requirements for "practical power generation"
In order to commercially utilize a fusion reactor as a power plant, it is necessary to not only be able to initiate a fusion reaction, but also to satisfy all three requirements for a commercial fusion reactor: ① steady-state operation (stable operation that can run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year), ② net power generation (ability to supply electricity outside the plant), and ③ maintainability (ability to perform maintenance).
[1] Because it has the prospect of meeting all three requirements for a commercial fusion reactor: ① steady-state operation (stability that allows for 24 hours of operation, 365 days a year), ② net power generation (ability to supply electricity outside the plant), and ③ maintainability (ability to perform maintenance).
🔳 Comment from the representative
Takaya Taguchi, Representative Director and CEO of Helical Fusion
The components completed this time will be incorporated into the core of the final demonstration device, "Helix HARUKA." The high precision of the machining, which is also aimed at the first power generator "Helix KANATA," has been achieved, and I feel firsthand how the power of manufacturing is propelling Helical Fusion forward. This beautiful finished product is proof that the teams from both companies overcame countless trials and errors on site. Furthermore, the collaboration with Aichi Prefecture, which shared our enthusiasm and provided support, was also a great boost. We are grateful that the Helix project is supported by the aspirations of each and every person, and we will move the Helix project forward as one team.
Yasuhiro Hara, President and Representative Director, Hishiki Mold Industry Co., Ltd.
We are confident that the processing technologies that Ryokigata Mold Industry has cultivated in the automotive and aerospace fields will be of great benefit in the processing of components for helical-type nuclear fusion reactors.
In Aichi Prefecture, which boasts the top position in Japan in fields such as the automotive industry, aerospace, and machine tools, we have honed our manufacturing technology for many years. However, nuclear fusion, a new industry that will lead to the next generation, is an unknown territory for us as well, and something we must take on.
In the production of the coil cases and blankets for this Helical Fusion, engineers from seasoned veterans to young recruits tackled the challenge with enthusiasm and successfully brought it to fruition. In order to create the next generation of workplaces that demonstrate the true strength of Japanese manufacturing, we will continue to focus our efforts on the fusion energy field.
■ About Hishiki Mold Industry Co., Ltd.
Ryokigata Kogyo Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in the design and production of molds and jigs, primarily for the aerospace sector. With one of the largest facilities in Japan, the company handles the production of custom molds for aircraft and rockets, as well as industrial equipment parts for factory automation, railway vehicles, and road infrastructure.
Location: Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture
Established: June 1967 (Showa 42)
Representative: Yasuhiro Hara, President and CEO
Homepage: https://www.ryoki.co.jp/
■ About Aichi Deeptech Launchpad
In October 2018, Aichi Prefecture formulated the "Aichi-Startup Strategy," a new innovation creation strategy that uses startups as a catalyst, in order to maintain and develop its industrial competitiveness (revised in 2025). This strategy aims to continuously create startups and unicorn companies, which are the main drivers of innovation, and to form and sustainably develop a startup ecosystem that realizes the social implementation of innovation. Aichi Deeptech Launchpad Acceleration 2025 is a deeptech-focused acceleration program that provides hands-on support to deeptech startups in fields highly compatible with Aichi Prefecture's industrial structure, with the aim of social implementation of their technologies, transformation of existing markets through disruptive innovation, resolution of social issues, and creation of new markets.
Aichi Deeptech Launchpad portal site: https://aichi-deeptech.com/
■ About Helical Fusion
Founded in 2021, leveraging the research results on nuclear fusion at NIFS, this company aims to commercialize fusion energy using helical-type nuclear fusion reactors. The "helical type," a nuclear fusion reactor format unique to Japan, is a method whose characteristics have been evaluated as suitable for commercial power plants as a result of 70 years of research and development at national universities and national research institutions.
Leveraging this expertise, we are advancing the "Helix Program," the only company in the world to promote its practical application. The Helix Program aims to complete individual demonstrations of its two main development elements, the "high-temperature superconducting magnet" and the "blanket/divertor," by the 2020s. By the 2030s, we plan to achieve integrated demonstrations with the final demonstration device "Helix HARUKA" and the world's first practical power generation with the first power generator, "Helix KANATA."
Helix Program details ( https://www.helicalfusion.com/helixprogram)
background
🔳 The significance of fusion energy development
The world's population is projected to increase by approximately 1.7 billion by 2050 *2 , and with the rapid increase in global electricity demand, partly due to the spread of generative AI, it will be difficult to meet the demand using only existing power generation methods. Fusion energy is a highly efficient power generation method that uses the same principle as sunlight, produces no CO2 emissions, and uses a relative of hydrogen, which can be abundantly extracted from seawater, as fuel, so it is expected to be a technology that can fundamentally solve global challenges. Some estimates *3 suggest that the construction of nuclear fusion plants and the electricity market will grow to several hundred trillion yen worldwide by 2050 , and while there is a possibility that Japan could create a giant industry that will lead the world, like the automobile industry, international development competition is also intensifying.
In Japan, a new government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will be inaugurated in October 2025, positioning "crisis management investment" and "economic security" as the core of its growth strategy, and explicitly stating "early social implementation of next-generation innovative reactors and nuclear fusion energy" in its policy speech. In June of the same year, the Cabinet Office revised its "Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy," presenting a roadmap aiming for power generation demonstrations in the 2030s. In addition, fusion energy (nuclear fusion) is listed among the "17 priority investment areas" set forth by the new government, and in November of the same year, the government allocated a budget of over 100 billion yen, of which 60 billion yen was allocated to private projects, and the "Fusion Energy Office" under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was established, demonstrating the government's concrete commitment to supporting private companies.
*2 International Energy Agency (IEA) Annual Report, "World Energy Outlook 2023"
*3 FusionX/Helixos report Global Fusion Market Analysis: Electricity, Supply Chain & Construction