TheTechno Optimist.

JT-60SANational Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST)—Integrated commissioning of JT-60SA begins after hardware upgradesJT-60SANational Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST)—JT-60SA plasma heating campaign begins, targeting six months of operations

National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST)

JT-60SA tokamak, fusion research, Japan

JPgovernmentest. 2016qst.go.jp (opens qst.go.jp)Checked 11 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • QST operates JT-60SA, the world's largest operational superconducting tokamak.
  • Upgraded with new diagnostics, heating, and control coils; plasma campaigns began Q4 2026.
  • Serves as a satellite to ITER, advancing fusion plasma physics and training researchers.

Technical approach

As reported
Tokamak design

Superconducting tokamak

Superconducting magnets confine hot plasma in a toroidal chamber for sustained, steady-state operation.

Diagnostics

Advanced measurement systems

Thomson scattering, X-ray spectrometers measure plasma temperature, density, and impurities in real time.

Heating

Neutral beam and RF heating

Eight neutral beam injectors and radio-frequency systems add energy to the plasma to reach the temperatures needed for fusion reactions.

Primer