158: Japan’s up for fusion — just don’t call it ‘nuclear’

<div>The Japanese government has set out guidelines in an effort to encourage more private sector research and funding in the field of fusion, and it has omitted a key word, “nuclear,” for fear of frightening a nuclear-wary population. <strong>Chris Russell</strong> joins us to discuss a trip to one of the country’s fusion research facilities.  <br> Hosted by <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/">Shaun McKenna</a> and produced by <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/david-cortez/">Dave Cortez</a>.<br> <br> <strong>On this episode:</strong> <br> Shaun McKenna: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/shaun-mckenna/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jt_sloosh">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/slooshiness/">Instagram</a><br> Chris Russell: <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/chris-russell/">Articles</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jt_cr">Twitter</a> <br> <br> <strong>Read more:</strong> </div> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/19/national/science-health/japan-nuclear-fusion-research-critical-stage/">Amid renewed interest in nuclear fusion, Japan’s research reaches critical stage</a> (Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/14/national/japan-national-strategy-nuclear-fusion/">Japan adopts national strategy on nuclear fusion as competition intensifies</a> (Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/12/14/world/science-health-world/lawrence-livermore-labs-nuclear-fusion/">Scientists achieve nuclear fusion breakthrough with blast of 192 lasers</a> (Kenneth Chang, The New York Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/09/world/science-health-world/whales-carbon-storage-how-much/">Whales help store carbon. Scientists are trying to figure out just how much.</a> (Chris Russell, The Japan Times)</li> <li> <a href="https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/fusion/fusion_senryaku.pdf">The Fusion Energy Innovation Strate