Japanese startup Helical Fusion says it’s one step closer to building a commercial fusion reactor after successfully testing an HTS coil that maintained a stable current under fusion-like magnetic conditions—a global first. (Reuters)
The breakthrough clears the path for Helix HARUKA, a demonstration device that will test continuous fusion reactions using the company’s Helical Stellarator design. CEO Takaya Taguchi said the breakthrough shows “the possibility of achieving fusion power generation ahead of the rest of the world.”
The startup plans to bring a commercially viable reactor online by the 2030s but warns Japan is falling behind global rivals. The US and China have invested about $6.6B in fusion R&D over the past 5 years, compared with Japan’s $662M.