# National Institute for Fusion Science

> research institute in Japan

**Wikidata**: [Q11536220](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11536220)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/national-institute-for-fusion-science

## Summary
The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) is a specialized research institute located in Toki, Japan, dedicated to the advancement of fusion science. It operates as a member organization under the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan, and is globally recognized for housing the Large Helical Device, a major fusion reactor. The institute serves as a central hub for open access repositories and international scientific collaboration within the Japanese research ecosystem.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** The entity is an organization whose primary purpose is research.
*   **Parent Organization:** It is a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan, which was established in 2004.
*   **Location:** The institute is physically located in Toki, Japan, with coordinates at latitude 35.324694444444 and longitude 137.16627777778.
*   **Major Facility:** It contains and operates the Large Helical Device, a fusion reactor situated in Japan.
*   **Official Names & Aliases:** Known formally as the National Institute for Fusion Science, it is also referred to as the Institute for Fusion Science or by the acronym NIFS.
*   **Digital Identifiers:** The institute holds ROR ID `01t3wyv61`, GRID ID `grid.419418.1`, Ringgold ID `92172`, and Open Funder Registry ID `501100006325`.
*   **Authority Records:** It is cataloged under ISNI `0000000406323468`, VIAF `132960937`, Library of Congress Authority ID `nr91013617`, and NDL Authority ID `00285827`.
*   **Mascot History:** The institute maintained a mascot from 2002 until 2017.
*   **Online Presence:** Official websites are available in English (`http://www.nifs.ac.jp/en/`) and Japanese (`http://www.nifs.ac.jp/`).
*   **Membership:** It is a member of the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository, a status confirmed as of May 1, 2024.
*   **Language Support:** Content is available in Japanese and English, with a dedicated Commons category and sitelinks in these languages.
*   **Additional IDs:** The entity is identified by KISTI ID `K000213387` and NL CR AUT ID `xx0031539` (with the name variant "Kakuyūgō Kagaku Kenkyūjo").

## FAQs
**What is the primary research focus and location of the institute?**
The National Institute for Fusion Science is a research institute based in Toki, Japan, that focuses on fusion science. Its most significant operational asset is the Large Helical Device, a fusion reactor located on its premises.

**Which larger organization oversees the National Institute for Fusion Science?**
The institute operates as a component of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan, a parent organization that was founded in 2004. This affiliation places it within a broader network of Japanese natural science research entities.

**How can researchers access the institute's publications and digital resources?**
The institute is an active member of the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository, facilitating open access to its scholarly output. This membership status was verified in May 2024, ensuring its resources are integrated into national open access frameworks.

**What digital identifiers are used to uniquely reference the institute in global databases?**
The institute is tracked using multiple unique identifiers, including ROR ID `01t3wyv61`, GRID ID `grid.419418.1`, and Ringgold ID `92172`. It also maintains authority records with ISNI, VIAF, and the Library of Congress to ensure consistent citation across academic and library systems.

## Why It Matters
The National Institute for Fusion Science plays a critical role in the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions through nuclear fusion. By operating the Large Helical Device, one of the world's most advanced fusion reactors, the institute provides essential experimental data that validates theoretical models and advances reactor design. Its integration into the National Institutes of Natural Sciences ensures a coordinated national strategy for natural science research, maximizing resource efficiency and scientific output. Furthermore, its commitment to open access through the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository democratizes access to high-level fusion research, accelerating international collaboration and innovation in the field.

## Notable For
*   **Operation of the Large Helical Device:** It is the primary operator of this specific fusion reactor, a unique and complex facility in Japan.
*   **Open Access Leadership:** It is a verified member of the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository, highlighting its commitment to data transparency.
*   **Comprehensive Digital Footprint:** The institute maintains a robust set of international identifiers (ROR, GRID, Ringgold, ISNI, VIAF) ensuring precise indexing in global research databases.
*   **Bilingual Accessibility:** It provides official research and information portals in both English and Japanese, bridging language barriers for international scientists.
*   **Historical Continuity:** The institute has a documented history of institutional branding, including a mascot program that ran for 15 years from 2002 to 2017.

## Body

### Institutional Structure and Affiliation
The National Institute for Fusion Science functions as a specialized research institute within the Japanese scientific landscape. It is not an independent entity but operates under the umbrella of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan. This parent organization was established in 2004, marking a significant consolidation of Japan's natural science research capabilities. The institute's industry classification is strictly research, focusing its resources on scientific inquiry rather than commercial production. Its administrative and operational identity is anchored in Toki, Japan, where its physical campus and facilities are situated.

### Research Facilities and Assets
The core of the institute's research capability is the Large Helical Device. This facility is a fusion reactor located in Japan and represents the institute's primary experimental asset. The device is central to the institute's mission, serving as the platform for conducting high-level fusion physics experiments. The presence of this reactor distinguishes the institute from general research bodies, as it maintains and operates a major piece of heavy scientific infrastructure. The coordinates of the institute, latitude 35.324694444444 and longitude 137.16627777778, pinpoint the exact location of these critical facilities.

### Digital Identity and Authority Records
To ensure accurate citation and data integration, the institute is registered with numerous global authority databases. Its Ringgold ID is `92172`, and its ROR ID is `01t3wyv61`, which are standard for academic and research organizations. The GRID ID `grid.419418.1` is used to link the institute to geographic and organizational data. For library and archival purposes, it holds the Library of Congress Authority ID `nr91013617`, the NDL Authority ID `00285827`, and the VIAF ID `132960937`. Additionally, the ISNI `0000000406323468` and KISTI ID `K000213387` provide further verification of its identity in international and regional systems. The NL CR AUT ID `xx0031539` specifically references the Czech name variant "Kakuyūgō Kagaku Kenkyūjo."

### Open Access and Membership
The institute actively participates in the open science movement. It is a member of the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository. This membership was confirmed with a reference date of May 1, 2024, indicating its ongoing commitment to making research outputs freely available. This affiliation connects the institute to a broader network of Japanese repositories, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of its fusion science data.

### Communication and Branding
The institute maintains a dual-language web presence to serve both domestic and international audiences. The English website is located at `http://www.nifs.ac.jp/en/`, while the Japanese site is at `http://www.nifs.ac.jp/`. Historically, the institute engaged in public outreach through a mascot program that spanned from 2002 to 2017. The institute is also categorized on Wikimedia Commons under "National Institute for Fusion Science" and maintains sitelinks in Japanese and English. Its Open Funder Registry ID `501100006325` facilitates the tracking of funding and grants associated with its research activities.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. [Source](https://jpcoar.repo.nii.ac.jp/page/40)
3. [Source](https://www.nifs.ac.jp/about/org/history.html)
4. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions