"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] FACT SHEET: U.S.-Japan-ROK Memorandum of Cooperation on Small Modular Reactor Deployments

[Place]
[Date] September 21, 2026
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

The United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on July 7, 2026 to establish a trilateral framework accelerating small modular reactor (SMR) and advanced nuclear reactor technology deployments, with an initial focus on the Indo-Pacific. Leveraging the complementary civil nuclear industries of all three nations, the MOC advances mutual economic security, addresses growing global energy demand, and offers partner nations modern, high-standard civil nuclear energy options.

Core Objectives

- Enhance Global Energy Security: Meet increasing electricity demand from growing

populations, expanding economies, and emerging technologies.

- Maximize Trilateral Economic Strength: Leverage U.S.-Japanese-Korean financing, advanced reactor technologies, and engineering and construction services.

- Ensure Technological Superiority: Provide access to cutting-edge technology backed by three leading nuclear nations, plus full sovereignty in selecting technology vendors and project partners.

- Promote the Highest Standards: Ensure all projects strictly adhere to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation.

Key Implementation Strategies

- Fleet Deployment: Facilitate industry-led projects to deploy multiple reactors using suppliers from the three countries’ respective nuclear industries, to derisk project development, reduce costs, catalyze private investment, streamline licensing, and speed up delivery.

- Comprehensive Deployment Support: Offer technical assistance for feasibility studies and regulatory development and help mobilize financing and investment.

- Supply Chain Optimization: Promote trilateral and host nation industrial cooperation to involve local suppliers to build resilient supply chains.

- Knowledge Transfer and Training: Expand domestic workforce and technology to ensure local project ownership and sovereignty.