Japan officially inaugurated the world's largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor, the JT-60SA, on Friday, marking a significant step in the quest for sustainable and carbon-free energy sources. Fusion, the process employed in the reactor, involves the merging of two atomic nuclei, as opposed to the splitting of one in fission, the current method used in nuclear power plants.

Situated in Naka, north of Tokyo, the six-story-high JT-60SA reactor is a collaborative effort between the European Union and Japan. It operates on the "tokamak" principle, utilizing a donut-shaped vessel to contain plasma heated to an extraordinary temperature of 200 million degrees Celsius (360 million degrees Fahrenheit). The primary objective of the reactor is to explore the viability of fusion as a safe and large-scale energy source that produces more energy than is inputted.

This project serves as a precursor to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, emphasizing international cooperation in advancing nuclear fusion technology. Both projects aim to emulate the Sun's process by fusing hydrogen nuclei into helium, releasing energy in the form of light and heat.

ITER, facing budget overruns and technical challenges, holds the ambition to achieve "net energy gain," a critical milestone for the viability of fusion as a practical energy source. The JT-60SA reactor is a testament to the collaborative efforts of over 500 scientists, engineers, and more than 70 companies from Europe and Japan.

EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson hailed the JT-60SA as "the most advanced tokamak in the world" and expressed optimism about fusion becoming a key component of the energy mix in the latter half of the century. Unlike fission, fusion carries minimal risks of catastrophic nuclear accidents and generates significantly less radioactive waste, making it an attractive candidate for a sustainable and clean energy future. The inauguration of the JT-60SA marks a milestone in fusion history and signifies progress toward the goal of achieving a stable and efficient fusion energy source.