Key facts
- The U.S. Department of Energy has partnered with Japan on the Genesis Mission, a $1 billion initiative.
- Japan is the first international collaborator in the Genesis Mission, which focuses on AI, quantum, and high-performance computing.
- The partnership involves 12 U.S. DOE National Laboratories and 12 leading Japanese research institutions.
- Key areas of collaboration include nuclear fusion, supercomputers, quantum information science, and AI-driven autonomous systems.
- Both countries are investing $500 million each into the strategic partnership.
The U.S. Department of Energy has formalized a significant $1 billion strategic partnership with Japan, making it the first international ally to join President Trump's Genesis Mission. This initiative aims to accelerate scientific and technological breakthroughs by integrating artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and high-performance computing.
The collaboration will involve eleven joint scientific teams, bringing together twelve U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories and twelve leading Japanese research institutions. These teams will tackle specific challenges identified within the Genesis Mission, focusing on areas such as quantum information science, fusion energy, biotechnology, advanced materials, particle physics, and the development of autonomous laboratory systems powered by AI and robotics.
Each country is contributing $500 million to the partnership, pooling resources in terms of computational environments, data, infrastructure, facilities, and expertise. This investment underscores a commitment to deep scientific collaboration, moving beyond mere agreements to foster active participation among hundreds of scientists and the creation of significant infrastructure.
Discussions are ongoing between the U.S. and Japan regarding data governance and how to manage and share sensitive research data, with a provision in the signed intent allowing researchers from each country the same permissions as domestic researchers. The U.S. Department of Energy indicated that other international partners, chosen based on shared values of scientific integrity and democratic principles, are expected to be announced later this year.
The partnership builds upon existing frameworks like the U.S.-Japan Technology Prosperity Deal signed in 2025 and aims to establish a long-term collaborative structure involving government, academia, industry, and research institutions from both nations. Key Japanese institutions involved include RIKEN, the University of Tokyo, the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK).