Programmes and agreements / prg-jp-meti-small-lwr-development

METI next-generation reactor support: MHI domestic small light-water reactor (SMR) development (2026)

In August 2026 MHI said METI selected three of its proposals under a supplementary-budget programme supporting next-generation reactors, including development of a small light-water reactor using domestic technology. MHI noted that Japan's 31 July 2026 nuclear policy guideline placed small light-water reactors (SMRs) at the social-implementation stage. This is development funding, not a plant, site or licence.

Not a deployment project. SMR plans, agreements, studies and government programmes that are not (yet) a single deployment project. They are listed separately and are never counted as projects or reactors.

Type

Selection or award

Countries concerned

Japan

Participants and roles

• Government: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
• Developer or vendor: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Designs named

MHI domestic small light-water reactor (unnamed) (no design profile)

Scale as stated

development subsidy (no units)

Announced or first reported

5 Aug 2026

Status

Active
Subsidy award for reactor-type and element-technology development, no site, plant or licence application.

Confidence

medium

Last checked

2026-10-14 (record review date, not proof of current activity)

Related deployment projects

• No related deployment project is recorded here.

Sources

• 経済産業省「次世代革新炉の開発・建設に向けた技術開発・サプライチェーン構築支援事業」に当社提案3件が採択 (company_primary, published 5 Aug 2026, accessed 2026-10-14)