Pursuing the Dream of Fusion Power: Sumitomo Corporation's Strategy for Moving from Fusion-Derived Businesses to Real-World Deployment

To begin, could you explain what nuclear fusion power is?

"Fusion" literally means joining things together. Nuclear fusion generates electricity using the energy released when light atomic nuclei, such as those in hydrogen, combine or fuse with one another. When the binding energy between protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei changes during this process, an enormous amount of energy is released. Some estimates suggest that fusion can produce as much as four times the energy of conventional nuclear power generation. Because the word "nuclear" is used, fusion is often confused with nuclear fission power generation, but the two are fundamentally different. Fusion power is a clean energy source that does not emit any greenhouse gases. While the process does produce small amounts of radiation, appropriate management of this can ensure safety. Further, because the reaction stops as soon as the fuel supply or power source is cut off, runaway reactions are impossible in principle. For these reasons, fusion is widely regarded as a promising foundational energy source for the next generation.

Fusion power is often described as an attempt to "recreate the Sun on Earth," because the energy emitted by the Sun in the form of light and heat is also generated through fusion reactions. As a result, achieving fusion power requires the integration of highly complex and wide-ranging technologies spanning multiple fields of expertise, making it one of the most challenging technological undertakings imaginable.

In Japan, fusion power has attracted attention as a major policy priority of the current administration, while internationally governments around the world are pursuing major development programs. At the same time, start-ups began entering the field in earnest around 2010. Private investment has surged throughout the 2020s, and today companies from a wide range of industries, including heavy industry, materials and component manufacturers, and AI and IT firms have all joined the sector. As a result, while significant technical challenges remain, progress toward commercialization has accelerated dramatically.

How do you personally view the unique nature of fusion energy?

We've heard that a wide range of derivative technologies are emerging from the process of developing fusion power.

To create fusion reactions suitable for power generation here on Earth, temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius must be generated. To make a fusion power business viable, it is essential to develop materials capable of withstanding such extreme heat over long periods, equipment capable of maintaining and controlling these extreme operating environments, and technologies for safely managing low-level radioactive materials. As these technologies have been developed, several highly advanced derivative technologies have emerged alongside them. Because fusion power itself represents such an ambitious technological goal, many of the technologies derived from it are equally sophisticated, with applications across a great range of industries. In fact, some of these technologies are already being utilized in healthcare, aerospace and defense.

Sumitomo Corporation recognized the breadth of opportunities created by these derivative technologies. While maintaining our long-term objective of achieving the real-world deployment of fusion power, we have also begun identifying areas where derivative technologies can generate commercial value within the next several years. As a result, we have launched initiatives to develop derivative businesses over the short and medium term.

There are several reasons why Sumitomo Corporation views fusion power and derivative businesses as a continuous journey spanning the short, medium and long term, even though many organizations focus exclusively on power generation itself. First, the expertise gained through the short- and medium-term derivative businesses can contribute directly to our long-term goal of commercial fusion power. Second, if fusion companies can monetize derivative technologies, they can continue funding research and development independently rather than relying solely on external investment. And third, as derivative businesses expand into different sectors, public awareness of fusion energy itself will naturally increase. Over time, society may come to recognize fusion as valuable and relevant to people's lives. For all these reasons, Sumitomo Corporation believes that utilizing derivative technologies is one of the most effective paths toward the practical deployment of fusion power.

Is it correct that Sumitomo Corporation entered the fusion sector earlier than any other Japanese company?

Sumitomo Corporation invested in SHINE Technologies ("SHINE") in March 2026. What made the company stand out?

SHINE is a unique company. While pursuing the long-term goal of making fusion power a reality, it is also the only company in the world that has successfully commercialized businesses based on technologies derived from actual fusion reactions. One example is the production of medical isotopes using fusion-derived neutrons. These isotopes contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Although medical isotopes are currently produced in several countries, existing production methods face challenges in maintaining a stable supply. Looking ahead, imports to Asia, including Japan, are expected to decline significantly. SHINE's production technology has the potential to establish a reliable supply chain quickly, making it a highly promising and innovative solution.

What role will Sumitomo Corporation play in expanding SHINE's derivative businesses?

It sounds as though industries built around fusion power have the potential to reshape our future.