Superconductivity R&D at ISTEC and elsewhere in Japan

Within a few months of the discovery of high-temperature superconductors (HTS), Japan had started two new national R&D programmes, the International Superconductivity Technology Center (ISTEC) and the Multi-Core Programme (MCP). ISTEC carries out basic research with the aim to develop viable future technology. MCP funds basic research at national institutes and universities. A large number of companies have taken part in these and other national research initiatives to develop superconducting materials and products.In Japan expectations are high and are backed by lavish research funding. The government alone spends $174 million yearly. Japan believes that HTS will be an important part of its future high-technology industries, predicting that by 2010, this will be an industry worth $75 billion. This report reviews the considerable research effort in Japan in both corporate and government institutes. It also covers some of the commercial developments.