Accelerating the FAST Project Toward the Realization of Fusion Energy
Starlight Engine Ltd. (SLE), which is dedicated to the realization of fusion energy, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investment agreement under which TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund L.P. (TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund) will make an equity investment in SLE. East Japan Railway Company (JR East) serves as the principal limited partner and Global Brain Corporation (Global Brain) acts as the fund manager. The amount of the investment has not been disclosed.
Through this investment, SLE will accelerate the development of the FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) project, which aims to demonstrate fusion power generation in the 2030s. By leveraging the Fund’s expertise, assets, and networks in urban development and community building, SLE will further advance engineering design, research and development, site selection and regulatory activities, and supply chain development.
1. Background of the Investment Agreement
Fusion energy is widely regarded as a next-generation energy source that can contribute to both carbon neutrality and energy security. Because fusion power generation does not emit carbon dioxide during operation and utilizes fuel derived from seawater, it has attracted increasing attention as a sustainable and secure energy solution for the future.
As investments in Green Transformation (GX) initiatives continue to accelerate around the world, fusion energy is moving beyond the research and development stage and is increasingly recognized by industry as a promising new power source capable of supporting a decarbonized society.
To help meet these expectations, SLE is advancing the FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) project, an industry-academia collaborative fusion energy power generation demonstration project based on the tokamak configuration. The project aims to demonstrate fusion power generation under private-sector leadership in the 2030s, while paving the way toward future commercialization. FAST draws upon decades of research achievements and experimental data accumulated by researchers at national laboratories and universities, together with Japan’s strong manufacturing and industrial base. The project is currently progressing steadily through engineering design and construction preparation.
TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund L.P. supports the creation of new businesses that contribute to realizing the concept of “Global Co-Benefits,” which seeks a balance between human prosperity and environmental sustainability. Since the commercialization of fusion energy has the potential to contribute significantly to a decarbonized society and to the realization of this vision, this Fund has decided to invest in SLE.
Looking ahead, accelerating design activities and technology development for FAST and future commercial plants will require the expansion of joint research initiatives and strategic partnerships. TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund is backed by a diverse group of investors, including JR East and Global Brain. By leveraging the Fund’s broad expertise, assets, and networks, SLE will continue to advance toward the realization and deployment of fusion energy.
2. Overview of the Agreement
Counterparty: TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund L.P.
Agreement Type: Investment through a third-party allotment of new shares
Investment Amount: Undisclosed
3. Quotes
Hitoshi Aida, Manager, Metropolitan Development Division, Marketing Strategy Department, East Japan Railway Company
We are pleased to announce our investment in Starlight Engine. The FAST project promoted by the company is an exceptionally important initiative that seeks to achieve a decarbonized society and create “Global Co-Benefits” through fusion energy, a next-generation clean energy source. Through this fund, we aim to support solutions to global-scale challenges while fostering new business creation that will contribute to enriching lives for generations to come. Leveraging JR East’s expertise in urban development, its extensive network, and strategic assets such as TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, we are committed to strongly supporting the social implementation of fusion energy.
As we look toward fusion power demonstration in the 2030s and beyond, we look forward to working together to realize a more sustainable future and create long-term value for society.
Kiyotaka Kikuchi, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Starlight Engine Ltd.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund for supporting our vision and mission through this investment.
Fusion power demonstration and the eventual deployment of fusion energy cannot be achieved by the efforts of a single company alone. We are confident that the expertise, assets, and networks brought by TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund and its diverse group of investors, including JR East and Global Brain, will serve as a significant driving force in advancing the FAST project and accelerating its path toward deployment.
Guided by our mission of “Bringing fusion energy to the world,” we will continue to steadily advance toward fusion power demonstration in the 2030s and, beyond that, the development and deployment of commercial fusion power plants.
4. About the FAST Project
FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) is a private-sector-led project in Japan aimed at demonstrating fusion power generation in the 2030s. The project seeks to generate and sustain burning plasma through deuterium–tritium (D–T) fusion reactions, while demonstrating an integrated fusion power generation system that combines energy conversion and fuel cycle technologies. FAST uses a tokamak configuration, drawing on an extensive body of research and experimental data to support cost control and technical risk management. The project has completed its conceptual design phase and is currently progressing with engineering design and preparations for construction.
The FAST project brings together some of Japan’s leading fusion researchers, SLE, and a broad range of participating and supporting companies, including Kyoto Fusioneering, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Electric Power Development (J-POWER), JGC JAPAN Corporation, Hitachi, Fujikura, Furukawa Electric, Marubeni Corporation, Kajima Corporation, Kyocera, Mitsui & Co., Mitsui Fudosan, and Mitsubishi Corporation.
Furthermore, the FAST project promotes research and development through industry-academia collaboration, including a corporate sponsored research program involving the University of Tokyo, SLE and other private-sector partners, as well as joint research initiatives with Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Kyushu University, and Keio University.
5. About Starlight Engine Ltd.
Starlight Engine (SLE) is a startup dedicated to making fusion energy a reality. Guided by its vision, “POWERING the FUTURE,” SLE aims to expand human potential and help shape the future by developing fusion energy to meet the world’s energy needs. Established in April 2025 as part of the Kyoto Fusioneering group, SLE leads the FAST project, a private-sector-led project bringing together industry and academia to demonstrate fusion power generation in the 2030s. Beyond this demonstration, SLE aims to bring fusion energy to commercial deployment.
SLE plays a central role in the following initiatives:
- From research to real-world deployment: Moving beyond research and development to bring fusion energy into practical use through electricity-generating power plants.
- Integration of plant technologies: Integrating the technologies essential to fusion power plants, including fuel supply, fuel cycle management, energy conversion, safety, and maintenance.
- Building a global fusion industry from Japan: Building fusion plants and establishing supply chains through collaboration among industry, government, and academia to develop a globally competitive fusion industry rooted in Japan.
Company Name: Starlight Engine Ltd.
Head Office: Distribution A Building, AW1-S, Tokyo Ryutsu Center, 6-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-0006, Japan
Marunouchi Office: xLINK Marunouchi Shin-Kokusai, 2F Shin-Kokusai Building, 3-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Representative: Kiyotaka Kikuchi
Business Activities: Research, development, and commercialization of fusion energy power plants
Website: https://sle.energy/en/home/
