According to an article released by the daily Yomiuri on January 1, 2022, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are set to cooperate in a U.S. project to build a next-generation fast reactor in Wyoming.[1] The companies will sign a memorandum of understanding as early as January with Terrapower, an advanced nuclear power startup founded by Bill Gates, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Terrapower is set to start operating the nuclear reactor in 2028. The U.S. government will provide funding to cover half of the project’s estimated cost of $4 billion. The fast reactor will have an output capacity of 345,000 kW and will use sodium as a coolant.

The U.S. government and Terrapower are seeking partners in Japan because commercial-scale development of a fast reactor has not taken place for many years in the U.S. JAEA, which is affiliated with the Japanese government, operates the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, and the Joyo experimental fast reactor in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture. The Monju plant is now in the decommissioning and dismantling process. JAEA and Mitsubishi are expected to provide reactor-design technologies and reactor-operation data. According to the Japan Times, safety tests might be conducted at a JAEA facility.[2] Japan’s industry and science ministries will support preparations for the safety tests.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/japan-help-build-bill-gates-high-tech-nuclear-reactor-wyoming-yomiuri-2022-01-01/

[2] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/05/business/corporate-business/japan-us-next-generation-fast-reactor/