Sir
Your Editorial “Time for Japan to shine?” (Nature 427, 763; 2004) offered the world a way out of the present stalemate concerning the selection of a site for the fusion project ITER.
In contrast, the correspondence by P. Vandenplas (Nature 428, 119; 200410.1038/428119a) seems counter-productive. By staking Europe's claim to an “uncontested leading role in fusion”, Vandenplas missed the main point. As your Editorial correctly notes, Japan genuinely yearns for an international project of the size of ITER.
If we look beyond fusion and see the broader context of international science, we can see the need for international balance in large science facilities. Technical experts from each of the ITER parties have already certified both Cadarache and Rokkasho to be acceptable sites for ITER. However, when viewed from the level of international policy-making, it is clear that choosing the Rokkasho site will bring Japan into the international community of science leaders.
I applaud the wisdom of your Editorial and its broad view of international science. This opportune moment in fusion's history may not last long. Fusion scientists everywhere must agree with your impatient plea, “The time has come to choose a site.” For this to happen, we must certainly look beyond our local concerns and work to find the larger political solution that embraces the scientific aspirations of all nations.
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Mauel, M. Fusion: choose Japan for international balance. Nature 428, 365 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/428365d
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/428365d
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